Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-01121/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-01121-6/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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26 1

 Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ANDREW A. CEJAS,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-05-1121 MCE KJM P

vs.

LOU BLANAS, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

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

filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. By order filed May 9, 2007, plaintiff's amended complaint

was dismissed with leave to file a second amended complaint. Plaintiff has now filed a second

amended complaint.

The second amended complaint states a cognizable claim for relief pursuant to 42

U.S.C. § 1983 and 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b). If the allegations of the amended complaint are

proven, plaintiff has a reasonable opportunity to prevail on the merits of his First

Amendment–denial of free exercise of religion and RLUIPA1

 claims against defendant Iwasa. 

Therefore, the court will order service of process upon defendant Iwasa. With respect to the

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other defendants and claims identified in plaintiff’s second amended complaint, plaintiff’s

second amended complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.

Plaintiff asks that this action proceed as a class action under Rule 23 of the

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure with respect to similarly situated plaintiffs. Plaintiff, however,

is a non-lawyer proceeding without counsel. It is well established that a layperson cannot

ordinarily represent the interests of a class. See McShane v. United States, 366 F.2d 286 (9th

Cir. 1966). This rule becomes almost absolute when, as here, the putative class representative is

incarcerated and proceeding pro se. Oxendine v. Williams, 509 F.2d 1405, 1407 (4th Cir. 1975). 

In direct terms, plaintiff cannot “fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class,” as

required by Rule 23(a)(4) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. See Martin v. Middendorf,

420 F. Supp. 779 (D.D.C. 1976). Therefore, plaintiff’s motion for class certification will be

denied.

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Service is appropriate for defendant Iwasa. 

2. The Clerk of the Court shall send plaintiff a USM-285 form, a summons, an

instruction sheet and a copy of the second amended complaint filed July 26, 2007.

3. Within thirty days from the date of this order, plaintiff shall complete the

attached Notice of Submission of Documents and submit the following documents to the court:

a. The completed Notice of Submission of Documents;

b. One completed summons;

c. One completed USM-285 form; and 

d. Two copies of the endorsed amended complaint filed July 26, 2007. 

4. Plaintiff need not attempt service on defendant Iwasa and need not request

waiver of service. Upon receipt of the above-described documents, the court will direct the 

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United States Marshal to serve the above-named defendants pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil

Procedure 4 without payment of costs. 

DATED: January 9, 2008. 

1

ceja1121.1(7.26.07)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ANDREW A. CEJAS,

Plaintiff, No. CIV-S-05-1121 MCE KJM P 

vs.

LOU BLANAS, et al., NOTICE OF SUBMISSION

Defendants. OF DOCUMENTS

 /

Plaintiff hereby submits the following documents in compliance with the court's

order filed :

 completed summons form

 completed USM-285 forms

 copies of the 

 Second Amended Complaint

DATED: 

 

Plaintiff

Case 2:05-cv-01121-AK Document 26 Filed 01/10/08 Page 4 of 4