Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-00591/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-00591-15/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

GARY SIMPSON, No. 2:03-cv-0591-MCE-GGH P

Plaintiff,

v. ORDER

SERGEANT THOMAS,

Defendant.

----oo0oo----

In bringing this lawsuit, Plaintiff Gary Simpson, an inmate

in the custody of the California Department of Corrections and

Rehabilitation, alleged that he was subjected to excessive force

by Defendant Thomas in violation of his rights under the Eighth

Amendment of the United States Constitution to be free of cruel

and unusual punishment, along with associated provisions of state

law.

On March 5, 2007, this Court entered judgment in Defendant’s

favor following a defense verdict returned by the jury following

trial on March 2, 2007. Defendant subsequently filed a Bill of

Costs in the amount of $3,280.78 and the propriety of that costs

bill is presently before the Court.

Case 2:03-cv-00591-MCE -GGH Document 223 Filed 06/28/07 Page 1 of 2
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Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d) creates a presumption

in favor of awarding costs to the prevailing party, “but vests in

the district court discretion to refuse to award costs.” Ass’n

of Mexican-American Educators v. State of Cal., 231 F.3d 572, 591

(9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). The imposition of substantial costs

in a case of this nature could have an undesired chilling effect

on civil rights litigation in this important area (see, e.g.,

Stanley v. Univ. of Southern Cal., 178 F.3d 1069, 1080 (9th Cir.

1999), and the Court therefore exercises its discretion in

disallowing costs herein. Defendant’s Bill of Costs is

accordingly rejected. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 27, 2007

_____________________________

MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 2:03-cv-00591-MCE -GGH Document 223 Filed 06/28/07 Page 2 of 2