Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-01279/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-01279-2/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

Plaintiff Johnny Howard Gates (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner appearing pro se and in forma 

pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Defendant Castillo has answered the 

complaint. (ECF No. 20.)

The court has identified this case as appropriate for post-screening alternative dispute 

resolution (“ADR”). Accordingly, Magistrate Judge Jeremy D. Peterson will hold a settlement 

conference on May 1, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in Courtroom 6 at the U.S. District Court, 2500 Tulare Street, 

JOHNNY HOWARD GATES,

Plaintiff,

v.

RODRIGUEZ, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:19-cv-01279-NONE-BAM (PC)

ORDER (1) SETTING SETTLEMENT 

CONFERENCE, (2) REQUIRING PERSONAL 

ATTENDANCE BY CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS, 

(3) REQUIRING SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE 

STATEMENT, AND (4) SETTING PRESETTLEMENT TELEPHONE CONFERENCE

Hearing: Pre-Settlement Telephone

 Conference

Date: April 20, 2020

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Judge: Jeremy D. Peterson

Hearing: Settlement Conference

Date: May 1, 2020

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Judge: Jeremy D. Peterson

Courtroom: 6

Case 1:19-cv-01279-NONE-BAM Document 21 Filed 02/26/20 Page 1 of 4
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Fresno, California, 93721. The court stays this action for a period of 90 days to allow the parties to 

investigate plaintiff’s claims, meet and confer, and then participate in the settlement conference. The 

court will issue the necessary transportation order in due course. 

The court expects that the parties will proceed with the settlement conference in good faith and 

will attempt to resolve some portion or all of the case.1 If any party believes that the settlement 

conference will not be productive, a written notice to opt out must be filed within thirty (30) days of 

the date of the issuance of this order.

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. This action is STAYED for 90 days to allow the parties an opportunity to settle their 

dispute before the discovery process begins. Except as provided herein or by subsequent 

court order, no other pleadings or other documents may be filed in this case during the stay 

of this action. The parties shall not engage in formal discovery, but may engage in 

informal discovery to prepare for the settlement conference.

2. This case is set for a settlement conference before Magistrate Judge Jeremy D. Peterson on 

May 1, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., Courtroom 6 at the United States Courthouse located at 2500 

Tulare Street, Fresno, California.

3. A representative with full and unlimited authority to negotiate and enter into a binding 

settlement shall attend in person.

4. Those in attendance must be prepared to discuss the claims, defenses and damages. The 

failure or refusal of any counsel, party or authorized person subject to this order to appear 

in person may result in the cancellation of the conference and the imposition of sanctions. 

The manner and timing of Plaintiff’s transportation to and from the conference is within the 

discretion of CDCR.

5. Defendants shall provide a confidential settlement statement to the following email 

address: jdporders@caed.uscourts.gov. Plaintiff shall mail his confidential settlement 

 

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If the case does not settle, the Court will then lift the stay of its Discovery and Scheduling Order or 

issue one forthwith.

Case 1:19-cv-01279-NONE-BAM Document 21 Filed 02/26/20 Page 2 of 4
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statement to U.S. District Court, P.O. Box 575, Yosemite, CA 95389, and mark the 

envelope “Confidential Settlement Statement”. Settlement statements shall arrive no later 

than April 17, 2020. Settlement statements should neither be filed on the docket nor 

served on any other party. While brevity is appreciated, each statement must include:

a. A brief recitation of the facts;

b. A discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the case, from your party’s 

perspective, and a description of the major issues in dispute;

c. An itemized estimate of your expected costs for further discovery, pretrial, and trial 

matters, expressed in terms of specific dollar amounts and lengths of time;

d. Your best estimate of the probability that plaintiff will prevail should this case 

proceed to trial, in percentage terms;

e. Your best estimate of recovery by plaintiff should this case proceed to trial and 

plaintiff prevail, in specific dollar terms;

f. A history of settlement discussions (including a list of any current settlement offers 

from any party, in specific dollar terms), a candid statement of your party’s current 

position on settlement, including the amount that you would offer/accept to settle 

(in specific dollar terms), and a statement of your expectations for settlement 

discussions;

g. A list of the individuals who will be attending the settlement on your party’s behalf, 

including names and, if appropriate, titles; and

h. If the parties intend to discuss at the settlement conference the potential resolution 

of any actions or claims not in this suit, a description of these additional actions or 

claims, including any case numbers.

6. If any party wishes to opt out of this settlement for the reasons stated above, the party must 

do so within thirty (30) days of this order by filing a “Notice of Opt Out and Request to 

Vacate Settlement Conference.”

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7. Magistrate Judge Jeremy D. Peterson will hold a short, pre-settlement telephonic 

conference on April 20, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. (dial-in number: 1-888-204-5984; passcode: 

4446176). Only the pro se plaintiff and lead defense counsel should participate.

8. A failure to follow these procedures may result in the imposition of sanctions by the 

court.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

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

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:19-cv-01279-NONE-BAM Document 21 Filed 02/26/20 Page 4 of 4