Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-01129/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-01129-5/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

THOMAS A. HIGHTOWER,

Plaintiff, No. C08-1129MJP

vs.

JAMES TILTON, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER re: Taxation of Costs

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this action

seeking relief pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

On November 12, 2009, the Court ordered the United States Marshal to serve

process upon the defendants in this case. The Marshal was directed to attempt to secure a waiver

of service before attempting personal service on defendant. If a waiver of service was not

returned within sixty days, the Marshal was directed to effect personal service on the defendant

in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and 28

U.S.C. § 566(c), without prepayment of costs, and to file the return of service with evidence of

any attempt to secure a waiver of service and with evidence of all costs subsequently incurred in

effecting personal service. 

Case 2:08-cv-01129-MJP Document 35 Filed 04/01/10 Page 1 of 2
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On March 5, 2010, the United States Marshal filed a return of service with a USM-285

form showing total charges of $80.00 for effecting personal service on defendant Lewis. The

form shows that a waiver of service form was mailed to the defendant on October 5, 2009, and

that no response was received. 

Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides, in pertinent part, as

follows: 

An individual, corporation, or association that is subject to service

under subdivision (e), (f), or (h) and that receives notice of an

action in the manner provided in this paragraph has a duty to avoid

unnecessary costs of serving the summons . . . .

If a defendant located within the United States fails to comply with

a request for waiver made by a plaintiff located within the United

States, the court shall impose the costs subsequently incurred in

effecting service on the defendant unless good cause for the failure

be shown.

Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(2).

The court finds that defendant [name] was given the opportunity required by Rule

4(d)(2) to waive service and has failed to comply with the request. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Within fourteen days from the date of this order, Defendant Lewis shall pay to

the United States Marshal the sum of $80.00, unless within that time defendant files a written

statement showing good cause for his failure to waive service. The court does not intend to

extend this fourteen day period.

2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to serve a copy of this order on the U.S.

Marshal.

DATED: March __31__, 2010

AMarsha J. Pechman

U.S. District Judge

Case 2:08-cv-01129-MJP Document 35 Filed 04/01/10 Page 2 of 2