Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00341/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00341-10/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

MARK A. HODGE,

Plaintiff,

v.

C. SANTIESTEBAN, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:19-cv-00341-NONE-SAB (PC)

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS’ 

MOTION TO MODIFY DISCOVERY AND 

SCHEDULING ORDER

(ECF No. 41)

On September 18, 2019, the discovery and scheduling order issued in this matter. The 

matter was stayed for post screening alternative dispute resolution and did not settle. On 

December 19, 2019, the stay was lifted and an amended scheduling order issued on December 20, 

2019. Pursuant to the order, all discovery is to be completed by June 19, 2020, and dispositive 

motions are to be filed by August 20, 2020. On May 26, 2020, Defendants filed a motion to 

modify the discovery and scheduling order. The Court finds that it is unnecessary to wait for 

Plaintiff to respond to the motion prior to issuing a decision as the motion sets forth good cause to 

grant the request.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Defendants have been unable to schedule the deposition 

of Plaintiff. The Office of the Attorney General has asked its employees to refrain from coming 

into the office to work and travel has been heavily discouraged throughout the state. Further, the 

Case 1:19-cv-00341-NONE-SAB Document 42 Filed 05/27/20 Page 1 of 2
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California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (“CDCR”) has restricted inmate 

movement in an attempt to limit the risk of transmission of the virus. While CDCR has video 

conferencing equipment available, it is being used to conduct Board of Parole Hearings until the 

pandemic is resolved and availability is limited. Defendants seek to extend the deadline to 

conduct discovery solely for the purpose of completing the deposition of Plaintiff and the 

deadline to file a motion for summary judgment by sixty days to allow for the deposition to be 

conducted. 

The Court finds that Defendants have demonstrated good cause to modify the discovery and 

scheduling order. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Defendant’s motion to modify the discovery and scheduling order, filed May 26, 

2020, is GRANTED;

2. The discovery deadline in this case is extended to August 18, 2020, for the limited 

purpose of allowing Defendants to conduct Plaintiff’s deposition and file any 

motion to compel that deposition, as necessary;

3. The dispositive motion deadline is extended to October 19, 2020; and

4. All other aspects of the September 18, 2019 scheduling order remain in effect.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 27, 2020 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:19-cv-00341-NONE-SAB Document 42 Filed 05/27/20 Page 2 of 2