Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-00750/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-00750-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOSEPH PUCKETT,

Plaintiff,

v.

CHIEF OF POLICE, ET. AL.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:22-cv-00750-ADA-HBK (PC)

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF LIMITED 

EXTENSION OF TIME TO SERVE 

DEFENDANTS

FEBRUARY 15, 2023 DEADLINE

(Doc. No. 16)

This matter comes before the Court upon periodic review of the file. On November 18, 

2022, the Court issued an order to show cause directing Plaintiff to show cause why this action 

should not be dismissed for failure to serve defendants under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 

4(m). (Doc. No. 10). After the Court granted Plaintiff an enlargement of time to respond, 

Plaintiff filed a response to the show cause order on December 16, 2022. (Doc. No. 16). 

Plaintiff’s response states that he has tried to serve defendants himself, but they refuse to accept 

service from him. (Id. at 1). 

Plaintiff is responsible for complying with the rules governing service of process set forth 

under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4. Specifically, Rule 4 governs specifics of service of 

process. Notably, and applicable here, is that Rule 4 expressly provides service may be 

completed by any person over the age of 18, who is not a party to the case. Fed. R. Civ. P. 

4(c)(2) (emphasis added). Further, the Rules explain how to serve an individual who is located 

Case 1:22-cv-00750-KES-HBK Document 14 Filed 01/12/23 Page 1 of 2
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within a judicial district of the United State:

Unless federal law provides otherwise, an individual—other than a 

minor, an incompetent person, or a person whose waiver has been 

filed—may be served in a judicial district of the United States by:

(1) following state law for serving a summons in an action brought 

in courts of general jurisdiction in the state where the district court is 

located or where service is made; or 

(2) doing any of the following:

(A) delivering a copy of the summons and of the complaint to the 

individual personally;

(B) leaving a copy of each at the individual’s dwelling or usual place 

of abode with someone of suitable age and discretion who resides 

there; or

(C) delivering a copy of each to an agent authorized by appointment 

or by law to receive service of process.

Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(e). In most cases, if a defendant does not waive personal service of process by 

completing the requisite waiver forms, either the Sheriff, or a process server, attempts personal 

service on Defendants. Plaintiff is responsible for ensuring timely service of process on 

Defendants under Rule 4(m) and otherwise must comply with the rules. The Court will permit a 

short enlargement of time for Plaintiff to effect service of process on Defendants. 

Accordingly, it is ORDERED:

1. No further action will be taken on the Court’s November 18, 2022 Order to Show 

Cause at this time. 

2. The Court sua sponte enlarges the time for Plaintiff to effect service of process on 

Defendants until February 15, 2023.

3. Failure to timely comply with this order will result in the dismissal of Defendants 

under Rule 4(m). 

Dated: January 12, 2023 

HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:22-cv-00750-KES-HBK Document 14 Filed 01/12/23 Page 2 of 2