Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-01503/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-01503-1/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JAMIE LIEN,

Plaintiff,

v.

AKABIKE,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:19-cv-01503-AWI-BAM (PC)

ORDER GRANTING IN PART PLAINTIFF’S 

MOTION FOR 60-DAY EXTENSION OF 

TIME TO FILE AMENDED COMPLAINT

(ECF No. 12)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO SEND A 

COPY OF INITIAL COMPLAINT TO 

PLAINTIFF

(ECF No. 13)

THIRTY (30) DAY DEADLINE

Plaintiff Jamie Lien (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma 

pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

On January 27, 2020, the Court issued a screening order finding that Plaintiff’s complaint 

failed to state a cognizable claim for relief. (ECF No. 11.) Plaintiff was directed to file an 

amended complaint within thirty days. (Id.)

Currently before the Court is Plaintiff’s motion for a 60-day extension of time to file his 

amended complaint, (ECF No. 12), and motion for the Court to send a copy of the original 

complaint to Plaintiff, (ECF No. 13). Plaintiff states that as an indigent prisoner who is not 

learned or lettered in the law, he relies on the help of “jailhouse lawyers” for litigation. Inmate 

Spencer, who was assisting Plaintiff, was recently transferred to a different yard, and took all of 

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the legal papers in Plaintiff’s case with him. Though Plaintiff has tried several times to get these 

materials back from Inmate Spencer, but was unsuccessful. Plaintiff therefore requests a 60-day 

extension of time to file his amended complaint, as well as a copy of the original complaint and 

any attachments. (ECF Nos. 12, 13.)

Having considered the request, the Court finds good cause to grant, in part, the requested 

extension of time. Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b). However, the Court finds that an extension of thirty days, 

rather than sixty, is reasonable under the circumstances.

As to his request for a copy of the original complaint, Plaintiff is reminded that the Court 

does not provide free copies of case documents to parties, even when a party is proceeding in 

forma pauperis. Ordinarily, the Clerk of Court charges $0.50 per page for copies of documents. 

The Court will make a one-time exception in this instance and will direct the Clerk’s Office to 

provide copies of the original complaint at no charge. However, Plaintiff is advised that any 

further copies will need to be paid for by Plaintiff and that it is his responsibility to maintain 

copies of all documents submitted to the Court for filing. In the future, the fact that Plaintiff gave 

his only copies of his legal paperwork to another inmate will not be considered good cause for 

granting another request for copies without charge.

Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s motion for 60-day extension of time to file amended complaint, (ECF No. 

12), is GRANTED IN PART;

2. Plaintiff’s motion to send a copy of initial complaint to Plaintiff, (ECF No. 13), is 

GRANTED;

3. The Clerk’s Office is directed to mail one (1) copy of the original complaint, filed 

October 23, 2019, (ECF No. 1), to Plaintiff at his current mailing address;

4. The Clerk’s Office shall send Plaintiff a complaint form;

5. Within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order, Plaintiff shall file a first

amended complaint curing the deficiencies identified by the Court’s January 27, 2020

screening order or file a notice of voluntary dismissal; and

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6. If Plaintiff fails to comply with this order, this action will be dismissed for failure 

to state a claim, failure to prosecute, and failure to obey a court order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 25, 2020 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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