Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00440/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00440-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 560
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Civil Detainee - Conditions of Confinement
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JACK CALVIN MATEER, et al.,

 Plaintiffs,

v.

AUDREY KING, et al., 

 Defendants.

Case No. 1:15-cv-00440-LJO-MJS (PC)

ORDER SEVERING CLAIMS OF

ROBERT MIX AND DIRECTING 

CLERK’S OFFICE TO OPEN NEW 

ACTION FOR ROBERT MIX

(ECF No. 14)

Plaintiffs Jack Mateer and Robert Mix are civil detainees proceeding pro se in 

this civil rights action brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The complaint purports to 

proceed on behalf of both Mateer and Mix and is signed by both.

I. SEVERANCE OF CLAIMS

Plaintiffs’ allegations do not provide a basis for a class action. Fed. R. Civ. P. 

23(a)(4); Simon v. Hartford Life, Inc., 546 F.3d 661, 664–65 (9th Cir. 2008). 

Courts have broad discretion regarding the permissive joinder of parties. Fed. R. 

Civ. P. 20, 21; see Coleman v. Quaker Oats Co., 232 F.3d 1271, 1296-97 (9th Cir. 

2000); Maddox v. County of Sacramento, No. 2:06-cv-0072-GEB-EFB, 2006 WL 

3201078, *2 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 6, 2006). The need for co-plaintiffs to agree upon and sign 

all filings becomes impossibly burdensome where, as here, the proposed co-plaintiffs 

are civilly detained.

Accordingly, Plaintiffs Mateer and Mix shall each proceed separately on their 

claims. Mix’s claims shall be severed, and a new action shall be opened for his claims.

Case 1:15-cv-00440-LJO-MJS Document 21 Filed 05/11/15 Page 1 of 3
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Gaffney v. Riverboat Serv. of Indiana, 451 F.3d 424, 441 (7th Cir. 2006). Mateer shall 

proceed as the sole Plaintiff in this action. Each plaintiff shall be solely responsible for 

prosecuting his own action.

II. ORDER

Accordingly, based on the foregoing, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff Mateer shall proceed as the sole plaintiff in case number 1:15-cv00440-LJO-MJS (PC);

2. The claims of Robert Mix are severed from the claims of Plaintiff Mateer; 

3. The Clerk of the Court is directed to:

a. Open a separate § 1983 civil rights action for Robert Mix, 1570-1, 

Coalinga State Hospital (5003), PO Box 5003, Coalinga, CA 93210-

5003;

b. Assign the new action to the Magistrate Judge and District Judge to 

whom the instant case is assigned;

c. File and docket a copy of this Order in the new action opened for

Robert Mix; 

d. Place a copy of the first amended complaint (ECF No. 14), as well 

as Mr. Mix’s application to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 8) 

and the order granting that request (ECF No.10) in the new action 

opened for Robert Mix; 

e. Send Robert Mix a copy of this order, bearing the case number 

assigned to his own individual action.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 11, 2015 /s/Michael J. Seng 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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