Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00161/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00161-17/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DAVID LASIC, Jr.,

No. 2:05-cv-0161-MCE-DAD

Plaintiff,

v. ORDER

DANA MORENO,

Defendant.

----oo0oo----

On January 30, 2007, this Court granted summary adjudication

in favor of Defendant Moreno (“Defendant”) as to Plaintiff’s

claim of malicious prosecution by Defendant in violation of

Plaintiff’s rights under the Fourth Amendment of the United

States Constitution.

Defendant, as the prevailing party in this litigation, has

now filed a Bill of Costs in the amount of $14,970.33. Plaintiff

David Lasic, Jr. (“Plaintiff”) has filed Objections to that

request.

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Case 2:05-cv-00161-MCE -DAD Document 130 Filed 11/21/07 Page 1 of 3
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2

Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d), the prevailing

party in a lawsuit may recover its costs “unless the court

otherwise directs.” As this language suggests, the ultimate

decision on whether to award costs is a matter within the court’s

discretion. Ass’n of Mexican-Am. Educators v. State of Cal.,

231 F.3d 572, 591-92 (9th Cir. 2000). Pursuant to Local Rule 54-

292(a), costs are awardable in conformity with the provisions of

28 U.S.C. § 1920, and such other provisions of law as may be

applicable. In addition, Local Rule 54-292(f)(11) allows the

Court to tax other items it believes should be compensable “in

the interest of justice.” If the court declines to award costs

as requested by the prevailing party it should specify its

reasons for doing so. Berkla v. Corel Corp., 302 F.3d 909, 921

(9th Cir. 2002). 

The Court may defer its ruling on attorney’s fees when an

appeal on the merits is pending. See 1993 Advisory Committee

notes to FRCP 54(d) ("if an appeal on the merits of the case is

taken, the [district] court may rule on the claim for fees, may

defer its ruling on the motion, or may deny the motion without

prejudice, directing under subdivision (d)(2)(B) a new period for

filing after the appeal has been resolved."); Dumas v. New United

Motor Mfg., 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 49098 (D. Cal. 2007). The

reasoning of the Advisory Committee’s note is applicable to a

ruling on a bill of costs. Singleton v. Dep’t of Corr. Educ.,

2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17834 (D. Va. 2003) citing Langham-Hill

Petroleum, Inc. v. Southern Fuels Co., 813 F.2d 1327, 1331 (4th

Cir. 1987). 

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 Because oral argument will not be of material assistance, 1

the Court ordered this matter submitted on the briefing. E.D.

Cal. Local Rule 78-230(h).

3

It is within the Court’s discretion to proceed or defer the

taxation of costs while an appeal on the merits is pending. 

Zimmerman v. Dickerson, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84426 (D. Ind.

2006) citing Cooper v. Eagle River Memorial Hospital, Inc., 270

F.2d 456, 464 (7th Cir. 2001). 

The Court finds that in the interests of judicial economy,

ruling on the Defendant’s Bill of Costs should be deferred until

the pending appeal is disposed. It would be a inefficient use of

judicial resources to rule on the Bill of Costs at this time, and

then to later re-evaluate the issue after the appeal is

completed.

Given the pendency of the appeal, Defendant’s Bill of Costs

is DENIED at this juncture, without prejudice to being renewed

following disposition of this matter upon appeal.1

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 21, 2007

_____________________________

MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 2:05-cv-00161-MCE -DAD Document 130 Filed 11/21/07 Page 3 of 3