Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_20-cv-00047/USCOURTS-ared-3_20-cv-00047-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

NORTHERN DIVISION 

DOUGLAS EUGENE CAUSEY PLAINTIFF 

v. No: 3:20-cv-00047 BSM-PSH 

GREENE COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY DEFENDANT 

INITIAL ORDER FOR PRO SE PRISONER PLAINTIFFS

 You have filed this federal civil rights lawsuit pro se, that is, without the help 

of a lawyer. There are rules and procedures that you must follow in order to proceed 

with your lawsuit, even though you are not a lawyer. 

 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT: 

 First: Follow All Court Rules. You must comply with the Federal Rules of 

Civil Procedure as well as Local Rules for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Local 

Rule 5.5(c)(2) provides that: 

It is the duty of any party not represented by counsel to promptly notify 

the Clerk and the other parties to the proceedings of any change in his 

or her address, to monitor the progress of the case, and to prosecute or 

defend the action diligently. A party appearing for himself/herself shall 

sign his/her pleadings and state his/her address, zip code, and telephone 

number. If any communication from the Court to a pro se plaintiff is 

not responded to within thirty (30) days, the case may be dismissed 

without prejudice. Any party proceeding pro se shall be expected to be 

familiar with and follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 

Case 3:20-cv-00047-BSM Document 2 Filed 02/06/20 Page 1 of 4
 Second: Pay the Filing Fee. Every civil case filed by a prisoner – including 

this one – requires the plaintiff to pay a filing fee either at the beginning of the 

lawsuit or, if he cannot afford to pay the entire fee in a lump sum, to apply for leave 

to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”). If you are granted IFP status, the filing fee is 

$350, which will be collected in installments from your prisoner account. 

Importantly, the entire filing fee will be collected, even if your lawsuit is dismissed. 

 You did not file an IFP application. The Clerk of Court is directed to enclose 

an IFP application along with a copy of this order. You must return a completed 

IFP application, including an accompanying calculation sheet and certificate 

signed by an authorized official, or pay the $400.00 filing fee within 30 days of 

the date of this order. Otherwise, the lawsuit will be dismissed. 

 Third: Provide Addresses for Service. All defendants must be served with 

the complaint and a summons within 90 days of the filing of a complaint. This 

includes “John/Jane Doe” defendants. Any defendant who is not served within 90 

days can be dismissed, without prejudice, from the lawsuit. If you are proceeding 

IFP, the Court will order service of process on the defendants if it determines that 

service is appropriate after screening your complaint as required by 28 U.S.C. § 

1915A and/or 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e). However, it is your responsibility to identify 

defendants, including “Doe” defendants, and to provide valid service addresses for 

Case 3:20-cv-00047-BSM Document 2 Filed 02/06/20 Page 2 of 4
defendants. You may send discovery requests, or use other means, to find valid 

service addresses for defendants. 

 Fourth: No Right to Appointed Counsel. This is a civil case. Unlike 

criminal cases, there is no right to have an appointed lawyer in a civil case. If your 

case proceeds to a jury trial, however, a lawyer may be appointed to assist you before 

trial. 

 Fifth: Do Not File Your Discovery Requests. Discovery requests, such as 

interrogatories and requests for documents, are not to be filed with the Court. 

Instead, discovery requests should be sent to counsel for the defendant (or directly 

to the defendant if he or she is not represented by a lawyer). No discovery should 

be sent to a defendant until after that defendant has been served with the complaint. 

 Sixth: Do Not Send Documents to Court Except in Two Situations. You 

may send documents or other evidence to the Court only if attached to a motion for 

summary judgment or in response to a motion for summary judgment; or if the court 

orders you to send documents or other evidence. 

 Seventh: Provide a Witness List. If your case is set for a hearing or trial, 

as your hearing or trial date approaches, you will be asked to provide a witness list. 

After reviewing the witness list, the Court will make efforts to ensure the attendance 

of all appropriate witnesses. 

Case 3:20-cv-00047-BSM Document 2 Filed 02/06/20 Page 3 of 4
 IT IS SO ORDERED this 6th day of February, 2020. 

 

 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 3:20-cv-00047-BSM Document 2 Filed 02/06/20 Page 4 of 4