Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01086/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01086-6/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

VANCE UTLEY,

Plaintiff,

v.

C.O. ACEVEDO, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:15-cv-01086-DAD-SAB

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO AMEND

THE COMPLAINT

(ECF No. 23)

On April 13, 2016, Plaintiff filed a motion for leave to file an amended complaint to 

substitute the “C.O. DOE, correctional officer” defendant with Correctional Officer Lopez. 

(ECF No. 23.) On April 22, 2016, Defendants filed a statement of non-opposition to Plaintiff‟s 

motion for leave to amend the complaint. (ECF No. 27.) On May 12, 2016, District Judge Dale 

A. Drozd vacated the hearing set for May 17, 2016, and referred the motion for leave to file an 

amended complaint to the undersigned pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and Local Rule 302. 

(ECF No. 28.) The Court, having reviewed the record, finds this matter suitable for decision 

without oral argument. See Local Rule 230(g). 

Under Rule 15(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a party may amend the party‟s 

pleading once as a matter of course at any time before a responsive pleading is served. 

Otherwise, a party may amend only by leave of the court or by written consent of the adverse 

party, and leave shall be freely given when justice so requires. Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a). Rule 15(a) 

Case 1:15-cv-01086-DAD-SAB Document 29 Filed 05/13/16 Page 1 of 2
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is very liberal and leave to amend „shall be freely given when justice so requires.‟” Amerisource 

Bergen Corp. v. Dialysis West, Inc., 465 F.3d 946, 951 (9th Cir. 2006) (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 

15(a)). 

Plaintiff indicated in his motion to amend that he anticipated Defendants filing a 

statement of non-opposition. Since the motion is unopposed, it is unclear to the Court why the 

parties did not stipulate to the amendment to avoid setting a contested motion hearing. However, 

as Plaintiff‟s motion is unopposed, the Court shall grant the motion for leave to file an amended 

complaint. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff‟s unopposed motion to file an amended complaint is GRANTED; and

2. Plaintiff shall file his first amended complaint within ten (10) days of the date 

entry of this order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 13, 2016 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-01086-DAD-SAB Document 29 Filed 05/13/16 Page 2 of 2