Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01805/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01805-8/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

Plaintiff Michael A. Washington is appearing pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights 

action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This case is currently set for a settlement conference before the 

undersigned on January 10, 2017. 

On December 27, 2016, Plaintiff filed a motion requesting to appear at the settlement 

conference by video or telephone. (Doc. 37.) For the reasons set forth below, Plaintiff’s request will

be denied. 

Generally, the Court allows inmates to appear telephonically for all pretrial proceedings. The

Court finds, however, that settlement conferences are not productive without the ability to have face to 

face contact with the participants. As such, the Court requires parties to personally appear for 

settlement conferences. 

Plaintiff requests that he be allowed to appear by video conference or telephone. Due to 

importance of face to face contact and issues that may arise with video conferencing and telephone 

MICHAEL A. WASHINGTON,

 Plaintiff,

v.

G. GARCIA, et al.,

Defendants.

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Case No.: 1:15-cv-01805-LJO-SAB (PC)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION TO 

APPEAR FOR THE SETTLEMENT 

CONFERENCE BY VIDEO OR TELEPHONE

[Doc. 37]

Case 1:15-cv-01805-LJO-SAB Document 40 Filed 01/06/17 Page 1 of 2
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systems, the parties will be required to attend the settlement conference in person. The Court notes, 

however, that a settlement conference is voluntary in this case. If Plaintiff chooses not to physically 

appear at the settlement conference, the parties may conduct settlement discussion without the 

involvement of the Court. 

Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff’s motion to appear at the settlement conference by video 

conference or telephone is DENIED. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 6, 2017 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto .

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-01805-LJO-SAB Document 40 Filed 01/06/17 Page 2 of 2