Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01705/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01705-2/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

SEBASTIAN BLOUNT,

Plaintiff,

vs.

D. LOPEZ, et al., 

Defendants.

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Case No. 1:13-cv-01705 DLB (PC)

DISCOVERY AND 

SCHEDULING ORDER

Initial Disclosures: September 1, 2014

Motions based on Exhaustion:

 October 15, 2014

Deadline to Amend Pleadings:

 November 14, 2014

Discovery Cut-Off: December 15, 2014

Dispositive Motion Deadline:

 February 12, 2015

To expedite the fair disposition of this action and to discourage wasteful pretrial 

activities, the Court directs that the attorneys or parties, if appearing pro se, comply with the 

following procedures:

I. INITIAL DISCLOSURES

Notwithstanding Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(1)(B), the parties are HEREBY 

ORDERED to provide Initial Disclosures as follows:

No later than September 1, 2014:

A. Plaintiff’s Disclosures:

Plaintiff shall provide Defendant with the name and, if known, the location or other 

identifying information (such as inmate number, job classification or assignment) of each 

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individual likely to have information about the events described in his complaint or his claims of 

injury or damage. In addition, Plaintiff shall describe, generally, the information each individual 

so identified is believed to possess. 

Plaintiff shall also provide copies of, or a list describing (by category and location), all 

documents or other tangible things in his possession, custody or control1 which he may use to 

support the allegation(s) in his complaint, or his claims or injury of damage. 

B. Defendant(s) Initial Disclosures:

Defendant(s) shall provide Plaintiff with the name and, if known, the location or other 

identifying information (such as inmate number, job classification or institutional assignment) of 

each individual likely to have information about Defendant(s)’ claims or defenses, or who will 

be used to support Defendant(s)’ version of the events described in the complaint. In addition, 

Defendant(s) shall describe, generally, the information each individual so identified is believed 

to possess. 

Defendant(s) shall provide to Plaintiff copies of all documents and other materials in the 

care, custody, or control of any Defendant(s) or the California Department of Corrections and 

Rehabilitation (“CDCR”) related to the claims and defenses in the case. 

Such documents and materials shall include, but are not limited to, (a) documents and 

materials upon which Defendant(s) rely in support of their defense of the action, (b) grievances 

and appeals thereof, determinations of grievances and appeals, and (c) reports of completed 

investigations by CDCR or others. If Defendants intend on filing a motion relating to Plaintiff’s 

failure to exhaust, initial disclosures must include related grievances and appeals, and all 

responses. Simultaneous with disclosure to Plaintiff, Defense counsel shall file with the Court 

either a copy of any cover letter (without attachments) or a statement that the disclosures 

required herein have been completed.

 

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Property is deemed within a party’s possession, custody or control if the party has actual possession, custody or 

control thereof, or the legal right to obtain the property on demand. Allen v. Woodford, 2007 WL 309945, *2 (E.D. 

Cal. 2007).

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Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(e), the parties must supplement or correct 

the disclosures in a timely manner, and failure to do so may result in the inability to present such 

evidence in support of a motion, or at trial. Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(c).

II. DEPOSITIONS

Defendant(s) are granted leave to take the deposition of Plaintiff, or any other 

incarcerated witness, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30(a)(2)(B). Defense counsel 

shall provide Plaintiff with notice of the date of the deposition by mailing such notice to Plaintiff 

at least fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled deposition date. The deposition may not 

commence until at least ten (10) days after Defense counsel has filed their proof of compliance 

as required in subparagraph (B) above. PLAINTIFF SHALL TAKE NOTICE that disagreement 

with any directive of security staff at the correctional facility at which the deposition is 

scheduled is not a ground on which Plaintiff may refuse to answer appropriate questions, and the 

failure of Plaintiff to attend, be sworn, and answer appropriate questions may result in sanctions. 

Such sanctions may include dismissal of the action pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 

37. Objections made in good faith in accordance with governing rules are permissible. 

III. SCHEDULE AND DEADLINES

A. The issue of exhaustion must be raised by either (1) a procedurally proper motion 

for summary judgment; or (2) a motion to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) if the failure to 

exhaust is clear on the face of the complaint. If the parties believe that discovery related to 

exhaustion is necessary, they may request such discovery pursuant to Rule 56(d). Requests for 

limited discovery must be made within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order. 

Motions relating to exhaustion must be filed on or before October 15, 2014.

B. The deadline for amending pleadings is November 14, 2014.

C. All discovery shall be completed on or before December 15, 2014. Motions to 

compel must also be filed by this date.

D. Dispositive motions must be filed on or before February 12, 2015.

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IV. DISCOVERY ISSUES

A. Written discovery must be served at least thirty (30) days prior to the close of 

discovery. Responses must be served thirty (30) days after service of the discovery request. 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 33(b)(2), 34(b)(2)(A). In objecting to discovery requests, Defendant(s) should 

state their objections in plain language that a pro se party will likely understand.

B. As stated above, motions to compel must be filed on or before December 15, 

2014. The meet and confer requirement set forth in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(a)(1) and 

Local Rule 251(b) is waived. Voluntary compliance is encouraged, however. 

V. EXTENSIONS OF TIME

Requests for extensions of the deadlines set forth in this Discovery and Scheduling Order 

must be filed on or before the expiration of the date in question. These deadlines are firm 

and will not be extended by the Court except upon a showing of good cause. Fed. R. Civ. P.

16(b)(4). 

 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 17, 2014 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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