Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-cv-02251/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-cv-02251-2/pdf.json

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

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

WILLIAMS, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

STOCKTON POLICE DEPT., ET AL., 

Defendants. 

No. 2:13-cv-02251-TLN-AC 

ORDER 

 

Plaintiff, Joyce Williams, is proceeding in this action pro se and in forma pauperis 

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1915. The case was referred to the undersigned in accordance with Local 

Rule 302(c)(21) and 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). 

On March 5, 2014, the undersigned granted plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma 

pauperis. ECF No. 4. On April 14, 2014, the undersigned directed the United States Marshals 

Service, Civil Division (“Marshal”) to serve process upon all defendants pursuant to FRCP 4. 

ECF No. 10. On August 18, 2014, the Marshal requested reimbursement of its expenses incurred 

in connection with its personal service on Defendants the Stockton Police Department, J. Hughes, 

Bruce Morris, John McLaughlin, and Thomas Heslin (“Defendants”). ECF No. 19. 

Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides, in relevant part: 

(1) Requesting a Waiver. An individual, corporation, or association 

Case 2:13-cv-02251-TLN-AC Document 22 Filed 09/03/14 Page 1 of 2
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that is subject to service under Rule 4(e), (f), or (h), has a duty to 

avoid unnecessary expenses of serving the summons. The plaintiff 

may notify such a defendant that an action has been commenced 

and request that the defendant waive service of a summons. . . . 

(2) Failure to Waive. If a defendant located within the United States 

fails, without good cause, to sign and return a waiver requested by a 

plaintiff located within the United States, the court must impose on 

the defendant: 

 (A) the expenses later incurred in making the service; and 

(B) the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, of 

any motion required to collect those service expenses. 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(1)–(2). 

According to the USM-285 form filed by the Marshal, on April 17, 2014, requests for 

written waiver of service were mailed to Defendants. ECF No. 18. On August 6, 2014, having 

not received Defendants’ written waiver of service, the Marshal personally served them and 

incurred costs in doing so.1 Id. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 

1. Within 30 days of the date of service of this order, Defendants shall either: (a) 

show good cause why they failed to waive service, or (b) pay to the United States Marshals 

Service the costs of personal service reflected on the USM-285 form associated with the service 

of Defendants. If Defendants choose to pay the costs rather than show good cause, they shall 

promptly notify the Court of such payment. 

2. The Clerk of the Court shall serve a copy of this order on the United States 

Marshals Service. 

DATED: September 2, 2014 

 

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 According to the USM-285 filed by the Marshal, the total cost to serve Defendants was $186.00. 

Case 2:13-cv-02251-TLN-AC Document 22 Filed 09/03/14 Page 2 of 2