Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-00277/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-00277-1/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

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KAREEM J. HOWELL,

Plaintiff,

v.

N. VERA, I. MEDINA, I. CEBALLOS, 

J.B. FUGATE, J. NAVARRO, A. 

RANDOLPH, C. GIPSON, H. COMPOS,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:22-cv-00277-HBK (PC)

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S 

CONSTRUED MOTION TO FILE A FIRST

AMENDED COMPLAINT 

(Doc. No. 5)

 

Plaintiff, Kareem Howell, is a current state prisoner proceeding pro se on his initial 

complaint filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Doc. No. 1). Pending before the Court is Plaintiff’s 

pleading labeled “Notice of Motion to Voluntarily Dismiss a Defendant From This Civil Action” 

filed February 10, 2023. (Doc. No. 5). Plaintiff requests defendant H. Campos be dismissed 

from the action. (Id.). 

Plaintiff’s complaint alleges: (1) a First Amendment retaliation claim against all named 

defendants; (2) a Eighth Amendment excessive use of force against all named defendants; and a 

conspiracy claim against defendant H. Compos. (Doc. No. 1). A plaintiff may voluntarily 

dismiss any defendant or claim without a court order by filing a notice of dismissal before the 

Case 1:22-cv-00277-KES-HBK Document 6 Filed 02/15/23 Page 1 of 2
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opposing party answers the complaint. Fed. R. Civ. P. 41 (a)(1)(A)(i). Here, no party has 

answered. (See docket). Further, the Ninth Circuit recognizes a party has an absolute right prior 

dismiss fewer than all named defendants or claims without a court order. Pedrina v. Chun, 987 

F.2d 608, 609-10 (9th Cir. 1993). 

Nonetheless because the Court has not conducted a screening on the initial complaint as 

required under 29 U.S.C. § 1915A, the Court the Court will construe the pleading as a motion to 

amend and afford Plaintiff the opportunity to file a first amended complaint to include only those 

defendants and related claims he wishes to prosecute in this action. Fed. R. Civ. P. 15. In filing 

his first amended complaint, Plaintiff should be aware the Rules permit a complaint to include 

only related claims against a party and permit joinder of all defendants alleged to be liable for the 

“same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences” where “any question of 

law or fact common to all defendants will arise in the action.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 18(a) and 20(a)(2) 

(emphasis added). The Rules do not permit conglomeration of unrelated claims against unrelated 

defendants in a single lawsuit. Unrelated claims must be filed in separate lawsuits. 

Accordingly, it is ORDERED:

1. Plaintiff’s motion to dismiss (Doc. No. 5) construed as a motion to file an 

amended complaint is GRANTED.

2. Plaintiff shall deliver his first amended complaint to correctional officials for 

mailing no later March 10, 2023.

3. The Clerk of Court shall include a blank civil rights complaint form for Plaintiff’s 

use.

Dated: February 14, 2023 

HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:22-cv-00277-KES-HBK Document 6 Filed 02/15/23 Page 2 of 2