Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_13-cv-00276/USCOURTS-ared-3_13-cv-00276-0/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

JONESBORO DIVISION

LARRY DONEL CHILDS, JR. PLAINTIFF

v. NO. 3:13CV00276 JLH

CITY OF BONO, ARKANSAS DEFENDANT

INITIAL ORDER FOR PRO SE PRISONER-PLAINTIFFS

You have filed this federal civil rights lawsuit pro se, that is, without the help of a

lawyer. There are rules and procedures that you must follow in order to proceed with your

lawsuit, even though you are not a lawyer.

First: Follow All Court Rules. You must comply with the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure as well as Local Rules for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Copies of rules

can be found in the prison or jail library.

In particular, Local Rule 5.5(c)(2) explains requirements for plaintiffs, like you, who

are not represented by a lawyer:

1. You must promptly notify the Clerk and the other parties in the case of any

change in address. You must inform the court if you are transferred from one

unit to another. Notifying the court of your change in address is especially

important if you are released from custody while your lawsuit is pending. If

you do not keep the court informed as to your current address, your lawsuit

can be dismissed.

2. You must monitor the progress of your case and prosecute the case diligently.

3. You must sign all pleadings and other papers filed with the court, and each

paper you file must include your current address.

4. If any communication from the Court to a pro se plaintiff is not responded to

within thirty (30) days, the case may be dismissed, without prejudice. 

Second: Pay the Filing Fee. Every civil case filed by a prisoner – including this one

– requires the plaintiff to pay a filing fee. A $400 filing fee must be paid at the

beginning of the lawsuit unless the plaintiff cannot afford to pay the entire fee at

once. If you cannot afford to pay the filing fee in a lump sum, you may file an

application to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”). If you are granted IFP status, the

filing fee is $350. 

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Although you have filed a complaint, you have neither paid the filing fee nor applied

to proceed IFP. You must do one or the other within 30 days of this order. Enclosed

you will find an IFP application, along with a calculation sheet that must be filled out

and signed by the custodian of the jail where you are currently being held. If you are

granted IFP status, withdrawals will be made from your jail account each month until

the $350.00 is fully paid, even if the lawsuit is dismissed before trial. 

Third: No Right to Appointed Counsel. This is a civil case. Unlike criminal cases,

there is no right to have an appointed lawyer in a civil case. If your case proceeds to

a jury trial, however, a lawyer will be appointed to assist you before trial.

Fourth: Do Not File Your Discovery Requests. Discovery requests, such as

interrogatories and requests for documents, are not to be filed with the court. Instead,

discovery requests should be sent to counsel for the defendant (or directly to the

defendant if he or she is not represented by a lawyer). No discovery should be sent

to a defendant until after that defendant has been served with the complaint.

Fifth: Do Not Send Documents to Court Except in Two Situations. You may send

documents or other evidence to the Court only if attached to a motion for summary

judgment or in response to a motion for summary judgment; or if the court orders you

to send documents or other evidence.

Sixth: Provide a Witness List. If your case is set for trial, as your trial date

approaches, you will be asked to provide a witness list. After reviewing the witness

list, the Court will subpoena necessary witnesses.

IT IS SO ORDERED this 7th day of January, 2014.

_______________________________

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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