Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_05-cv-02090/USCOURTS-casd-3_05-cv-02090-0/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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05-cv-2090 JM (JMA)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DEREK FRANK LATIMER,

Plaintiff,

v.

WILLIAM B. KOLENDER, et al.,

Defendants.

 

 

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Case No. 05-CV-2090-JM (JMA)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S

“PLEADING MOTION TO IDENTIFY

UNKNOWN DEFENDANTS” [Doc. No.

13]

Plaintiff Derek Frank Latimer,, a state prisoner proceeding

pro se and in forma pauperis, filed an Amended Complaint pursuant

to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 on March 2, 2006. [Doc. No. 4.] Plaintiff

recently filed a “Pleading Motion to Identify Unknown Defendants”

[Doc. No. 13], in which he makes the following three (3)

requests:

1. That the Court assist him in obtaining duty rosters and

personnel records related to the dates and times he was

incarcerated at the San Diego, Downtown Central, and

George Bailey Detention Facilities, for the purpose of

identifying unknown defendants;

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2. That the Court supply him with a copy of the Local

Civil Rules of Practice for the United States District

Court for the Southern District of California; and

3. That the Court grant him “Priority” status so that the

prison in which he is currently incarcerated will

permit him: (a) additional time in the prison law

library, (b) access to obtain photocopies, and (c) use

of prison typewriters.

For the reasons set forth below, Plaintiff’s requests, and

the motion as a whole, are DENIED.

I. Request for Assistance in Identifying Unknown Defendants

Plaintiff’s first request essentially seeks the Court’s help

in obtaining discovery related to the identification of other

potential defendants. Plaintiff, however, has made no showing

that a court order is needed in order for him to obtain the

discovery he seeks. Plaintiff is directed to review the

discovery rules contained within the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 26-37. If, after serving proper

discovery requests pursuant to the Federal Rules, Plaintiff is

unsuccessful in obtaining the discovery he seeks, he may

thereafter move the court to compel discovery in accordance with

Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(a). Plaintiff’s request is therefore DENIED

without prejudice.

II. Request for a Copy of the Local Rules

Plaintiff’s second request seeks a copy of the Local Civil

Rules of Practice for the United States District Court for the

Southern District of California. Civil Rule 1.2(a) states in

part: “[t]he clerk shall make copies of these rules available ...

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upon payment of a nominal charge ... .” The current charge for a

copy of the Local Rules is $3.00. Plaintiff may send a request

and payment directly to the Clerk of Court, United States

District Court for the Southern District of California, to

receive a copy of the Local Rules. Plaintiff’s request herein is

therefore DENIED.

III. “Priority” Status

Plaintiff’s third request seeks “something in writing with

the Court’s official seal in order to have ‘priority’ law library

status, get photocopies, and use of a typewriter.” Plaintiff,

however, has made no showing that a court order designating him

as having “priority” status is needed in order for him to

prosecute his case at this juncture. See Lewis v. Casey, 518

U.S. 343, 354 (1996)(prison officials required only to provide

materials to ensure meaningful access – the ability to present a

claim – to the courts). Plaintiff’s request is therefore DENIED

without prejudice. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: September 20, 2006

Jan M. Adler

U.S. Magistrate Judge

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