Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_20-cv-00691/USCOURTS-caed-2_20-cv-00691-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 950
Nature of Suit: Constitutionality of State Statutes
Cause of Action: 28:1651 Petition for Writ of Mandamus

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

WILLIAM J. WHITTSITT,

Plaintiff,

v.

GAVIN NEWSOM, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 2:20-cv-00691-JAM-CKD PS

ORDER

(ECF No. 2)

Plaintiff, who proceeds in this action without counsel, has requested leave to proceed in 

forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. (ECF No. 2.)1 Plaintiff’s application in support of 

his request to proceed in forma pauperis makes the showing required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915. 

Accordingly, the court grants plaintiff’s request to proceed in forma pauperis.

The determination that a plaintiff may proceed in forma pauperis does not complete the 

required inquiry. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, the court is directed to dismiss the case at any

time if it determines that the allegation of poverty is untrue, or if the action is frivolous or 

malicious, fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief against 

an immune defendant. 

Based on the limited record before the court, the undersigned cannot conclude that 

1 This case proceeds before the undersigned pursuant to E.D. Cal. L.R. 302(c)(21) and 28 U.S.C. 

§ 636(b)(1). 

Case 2:20-cv-00691-JAM-CKD Document 3 Filed 04/09/20 Page 1 of 3
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plaintiff’s action is frivolous, that the complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be 

granted, or that plaintiff seeks monetary relief from an immune defendant. The court reserves 

decision as to plaintiff’s claims until the record is sufficiently developed, and this order does not 

preclude defendants from challenging plaintiff’s complaint through a timely motion pursuant to 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12 or other appropriate method of challenging plaintiff’s 

pleading. Accordingly, the court orders service of the complaint on defendants.

For the foregoing reasons, IT IS ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2) is GRANTED.

2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to issue the undersigned’s order setting status 

conference.

3. The United States Marshal is directed to serve within ninety days of the date of this 

order, all process pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4, including a copy of this court’s 

order setting status conference, without prepayment of costs. 

4. The Clerk of the Court shall send plaintiff one USM-285 form for each defendant, one 

summons, a copy of the complaint, and this court’s order setting status conference. 

5. Plaintiff is directed to provide to the United States Marshal, within fourteen days from 

the date this order is filed, all information needed by the Marshal to effect service of process, 

including all information required for proper service of summons under Federal Rule of Civil 

Procedure 4 and shall file a statement with the court that said documents have been submitted to 

the United States Marshal, along with a copy of the information provided to the Marshal. The 

court anticipates that, to effect service, the U.S. Marshal will require at least:

a. One completed summons for each defendant;

b. One completed USM-285 form for each defendant; 

c. One copy of the endorsed filed complaint for each defendant, with an extra 

copy for the U.S. Marshal; 

d. One copy of this court’s status order for each defendant; and

e. One copy of the instant order for each defendant.

6. In the event the U.S. Marshal is unable, for any reason whatsoever, to effectuate 

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service on any defendant within 90 days from the date of this order, the Marshal is directed to 

report that fact, and the reasons for it, to the undersigned.

7. The Clerk of the Court is directed to serve a copy of this order on the United States 

Marshal, 501 “I” Street, Sacramento, Ca., 95814, Tel. No. (916) 930-2030. 

Dated: April 9, 2020

16.691.ifp-serve

_____________________________________

CAROLYN K. DELANEY

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:20-cv-00691-JAM-CKD Document 3 Filed 04/09/20 Page 3 of 3