Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-01129/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-01129-7/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

THOMAS A. HIGHTOWER,

Plaintiff, No. C08-1129MJP

vs.

JAMES TILTON, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER re: Taxation of Costs

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this action

seeking relief pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

On November 12, 2009, the Court ordered the United States Marshal to serve

process upon the defendants in this case. The Marshal was directed to attempt to secure a waiver

of service before attempting personal service on defendant. If a waiver of service was not

returned within sixty days, the Marshal was directed to effect personal service on the defendant

in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and 28

U.S.C. § 566(c), without prepayment of costs, and to file the return of service with evidence of

any attempt to secure a waiver of service and with evidence of all costs subsequently incurred in

effecting personal service. 

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On February 29, 2010, the United States Marshal filed a return of service with a USM285 form showing

1. Total charges of $57.00 for effecting personal service on defendant Tilton

2. Total charges of $57.00 for effecting personal service on defendant Subia

3. Total charges of $135.00 for effecting personal service on defendant Mwangi 

4. Total charges of $55.00 for effecting personal service on defendant Griffin

5. Total charges of $55.00 for effecting personal service on defendant Gutierrez

6. Total charges of $55.00 for effecting personal service on defendant Campbell

7. Total charges of $55.00 for effecting personal service on defendant Fox

8. Total charges of $55.00 for effecting personal service on defendant Reaves

9. Total charges of $55.00 for effecting personal service on defendant Bunnell

10. Total charges of $55.00 for effecting personal service on defendant Rodriguez

11. Total charges of $162.00 for effecting personal service on defendant Montanaez

 The form shows that a waiver of service form was mailed to all defendants on October 5,

2009, and that no response was received. 

Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides, in pertinent part, as

follows: 

An individual, corporation, or association that is subject to service

under subdivision (e), (f), or (h) and that receives notice of an

action in the manner provided in this paragraph has a duty to avoid

unnecessary costs of serving the summons . . . .

If a defendant located within the United States fails to comply with

a request for waiver made by a plaintiff located within the United

States, the court shall impose the costs subsequently incurred in

effecting service on the defendant unless good cause for the failure

be shown.

Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(2).

The court finds that defendant [name] was given the opportunity required by Rule

4(d)(2) to waive service and has failed to comply with the request. 

Case 2:08-cv-01129-MJP Document 38 Filed 04/05/10 Page 2 of 4
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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

Within fourteen days from the date of this order,

A. Defendant Tilton shall pay to the United States Marshal the sum of $57.00, unless

within that time defendant files a written statement showing good cause for his

failure to waive service. The court does not intend to extend this fourteen day

period. 

B. Defendant Subia shall pay to the United States Marshal the sum of $57.00, unless

within that time defendant files a written statement showing good cause for his

failure to waive service. The court does not intend to extend this fourteen day

period.

C. Defendant Mwangi shall pay to the United States Marshal the sum of $135.00,

unless within that time defendant files a written statement showing good cause for

his failure to waive service. The court does not intend to extend this fourteen day

period.

D. Defendant Griffin shall pay to the United States Marshal the sum of $55.00,

unless within that time defendant files a written statement showing good cause for

his failure to waive service. The court does not intend to extend this fourteen day

period.

E. Defendant Gutierrez shall pay to the United States Marshal the sum of $55.00,

unless within that time defendant files a written statement showing good cause for

his failure to waive service. The court does not intend to extend this fourteen day

period.

F. Defendant Campbell shall pay to the United States Marshal the sum of $55.00,

unless within that time defendant files a written statement showing good cause for

his failure to waive service. The court does not intend to extend this fourteen day

period.

G. Defendant Fox shall pay to the United States Marshal the sum of $55.00, unless

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within that time defendant files a written statement showing good cause for his

failure to waive service. The court does not intend to extend this fourteen day

period.

H. Defendant Reaves shall pay to the United States Marshal the sum of $55.00,

unless within that time defendant files a written statement showing good cause for

his failure to waive service. The court does not intend to extend this fourteen day

period.

I. Defendant Bunnell shall pay to the United States Marshal the sum of $55.00,

unless within that time defendant files a written statement showing good cause for

his failure to waive service. The court does not intend to extend this fourteen day

period.

J. Defendant Rodriguez shall pay to the United States Marshal the sum of $55.00,

unless within that time defendant files a written statement showing good cause for

his failure to waive service. The court does not intend to extend this fourteen day

period.

K. Defendant Montanaez shall pay to the United States Marshal the sum of $162.00,

unless within that time defendant files a written statement showing good cause for

his failure to waive service. The court does not intend to extend this fourteen day

period.

The Clerk of the Court is directed to serve a copy of this order on the U.S. Marshal.

DATED: April __2___, 2010

AMarsha J. Pechman

U.S. District Judge

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