Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00836/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00836-6/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

MICHAEL MALDONADO,

Plaintiff,

v.

SANDRA ALFARO, et al.,

Defendants.

CASE No. 1:15-cv-00836-DAD-MJS (PC)

ORDER DENYING MOTIONS FOR 

SANCTIONS

(ECF Nos. 39, 40)

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil 

rights action brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The action proceeds on Plaintiff’s 

second amended complaint against Defendant Padilla for excessive force in violation of 

the Eighth Amendment. 

Before the Court are Plaintiff’s simultaneously filed motions for sanctions. (ECF 

Nos. 39 and 40.) Defendant filed an opposition. (ECF No. 41.) Plaintiff filed no reply. The 

matter is submitted.

Case 1:15-cv-00836-DAD-MJS Document 47 Filed 12/15/16 Page 1 of 2
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Plaintiff apparently seeks sanctions against Defendant for Defendant’s 

unwillingness to engage in settlement negotiations prior to the close of discovery and for 

failing to respond to Plaintiff’s settlement offer. He also expresses dissatisfaction that the 

Court failed to “notice” the proposed settlement agreements he filed with the Court in 

May 2016. (ECF Nos. 33, 34.)

Defendant has no obligation to engage in settlement negotiations with Plaintiff 

unless ordered to appear at a settlement conference by the Court. Plaintiff has not filed a 

request for such a conference and, in any event, in light of Defendant’s unwillingness to 

negotiate at this stage of the proceedings, a settlement conference is unlikely to be of 

any benefit. 

Plaintiff’s proposed settlement agreements have no legal effect and do not 

warrant or require a response or “notice” from the Court or Defendant. It may be in 

Plaintiff’s interest not to share them with judges to whom the case is assigned.

As Plaintiff presents no basis for sanctions, his motion for sanctions is HEREBY 

DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 14, 2016 /s/Michael J. Seng 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-00836-DAD-MJS Document 47 Filed 12/15/16 Page 2 of 2