Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-02943/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-02943-0/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

PAUL ROBINS,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-06-2943 DFL DAD P

vs.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF

CORRECTIONS, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff, a state prisoner confined at High Desert State Prison, has filed a motion

for temporary restraining order concerning legal materials confiscated from him in 2005. The

motion is not signed under penalty of perjury and is not supported by a declaration establishing

irreparable injury. In addition, the motion was not accompanied by a complaint, and plaintiff has

neither paid the $350.00 filing fee nor filed an application to proceed in forma pauperis.

“A civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court.” Fed. R. Civ.

P. 3. A complaint must contain “(1) a short and plain statement of the grounds upon which the

court’s jurisdiction depends . . . , (2) a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the

pleader is entitled to relief, and (3) a demand for judgment for the relief the pleader seeks.” Fed.

R. Civ. P. 8(a). In contrast, a motion is an application for an order. Fed. R. Civ. P. 7(b)(1). A

motion is not a complaint. Fed. R. Civ. P. 7(a).

Case 2:06-cv-02943-JKS-DAD Document 3 Filed 01/10/07 Page 1 of 2
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This action has not been properly commenced because plaintiff has not filed a

complaint and has not paid the filing fee or applied for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. The

motion filed by plaintiff in lieu of a complaint is not properly supported and cannot be addressed

in the absence of a properly filed complaint that states cognizable federal claims on which

plaintiff has a strong likelihood of success. See Local Rule 65-231.

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s December 29, 2006 motion for a temporary restraining order is

denied without prejudice;

2. Plaintiff is granted thirty days from the date of this order to file a complaint

that complies with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act, the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure, and the Local Rules of Practice; the complaint must be submitted on the form

provided with this order and must bear the docket number assigned to this case; plaintiff’s failure

to comply with this order will result in a recommendation that this case be dismissed;

3. Plaintiff is granted thirty days from the date of this order to submit the $350.00

filing fee or a properly completed application to proceed in forma pauperis on the form provided

with this order; plaintiff’s failure to comply with this order will result in a recommendation that

this case be dismissed; and

4. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send plaintiff the form to be used by a

prisoner filing a civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, together with an application to

proceed in forma pauperis by a prisoner.

DATED: January 9, 2007.

DAD:13:bb

robi2943.noc

Case 2:06-cv-02943-JKS-DAD Document 3 Filed 01/10/07 Page 2 of 2