Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-06418/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-06418-12/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DOMINGO RAMIREZ, )

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)

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Plaintiff, )

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v. )

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A.K. SCRIBNER, et.al., )

)

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Defendants. )

 )

CV F 04 6418 OWW DLB P

ORDER RE PLAINTIFF’S MOTION TO

COMPEL FURTHER RESPONSES TO

REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION OF

DOCUMENTS AND PLAINTIFF’S MOTION

FOR TRANSCRIBED AUDIO TAPES

[DOCS 47, 60]

Plaintiff, is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis with a civil rights

action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On January 10, 2006, plaintiff filed a motion to compel

further responses to his requests for production of documents. Defendants filed an opposition on

February 7, 2006 and plaintiff filed a reply on February 16, 2006. On February 16, 2006,

plaintiff also filed a motion requesting that defendants be ordered to transcribe certain audio

tapes produced by defendants. 

At issue are Plaintiff’s First Request for Production of Documents, Request Numbers 5 -

8, 11 and Plaintiff’s Supplemental Request for Documents Numbers 3, 4 and 5. 

Plaintiff’s First Request for Production of Documents

 In Request Numbers 5 through 8, plaintiff requests audiotaped transcripts of interviews

relating to the incident which is the subject of this action. Defendants have provided plaintiff

with the actual audiotapes but plaintiff seeks transcripts of the tapes because he does not have the

means to transcribe the tapes himself. Plaintiff also states that because he is in the Security

Housing Unit, audio tapes and tape machines are contraband and not permitted.

Case 1:04-cv-06418-DLB Document 91 Filed 07/03/06 Page 1 of 2
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Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil procedure 34(a), a party must produce all specified

relevant and non privileged documents or other things which are in his or her “possession,

custody or control.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 34(a). Ordinarily, the producing party bears the costs of

reviewing and gathering the documents while the requesting party pays for the costs of the copies

only. Parties must produce the documents or things “as they are kept in the usual course of

business.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 34(b). 

Here, it appears that defendants have complied with Rule 34 by producing the tapes as

they are kept in the normal course of business. It does not appear the defendants have had the

tapes transcribed. Accordingly, if plaintiff wants the tapes produced in transcribed form, he must

bear the cost. Within 15 days of this order, defendants shall provide plaintiff with an estimate of

the costs of transcribing the tapes. Plaintiff shall forward the estimated costs to defendants

counsel and within 15 days of receipt, defendants shall produce the transcription to plaintiff.

Plaintiff’s Supplemental Request for Production of Documents 

In request number 3 of plaintiff’s supplemental request for documents, he seeks,

“Fingerprint report and which laboratory tested weapon for fingerprint!” Defendants have

responded that they do not believe there is a fingerprint report. Defendants agree to supplement

this response should the information change. Defendants’ response is sufficient in that the

document plaintiff requests does not exist.

As to request numbers 4 and 5, it appears that defendants have supplemented their

original response and provided plaintiff with diagrams which reflect the measurements he seeks.

Based on the foregoing, plaintiff’s motion to compel further responses to production of

documents is granted in part as set forth herein.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: July 3, 2006 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

3b142a UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:04-cv-06418-DLB Document 91 Filed 07/03/06 Page 2 of 2