Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_13-cv-04116/USCOURTS-cand-5_13-cv-04116-7/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAUL BARRIOS PEREZ,

Plaintiff,

vs.

M.L. THOMAS, and others,

Defendants.

Case No. 13-cv-04116 NC

ORDER REQUESTING ADDITIONAL 

INFORMATION FROM PLAINTIFF ABOUT 

HIS CONSENT/DECLINATION OF 

MAGISTRATE JUDGE JURISDICTION

The parties to a federal civil case have a constitutional right to proceed before an Article III 

District Court Judge. That right, however, can be waived, allowing the parties to proceed to trial 

before a Magistrate Judge. 28 U.S.C. § 636(c); Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(1). Parties are free to object 

to the jurisdiction of a Magistrate Judge without adverse consequences. Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(3). 

Once a case is referred to a Magistrate Judge, the referral can be withdrawn by the Court for “good 

cause” or when a party shows “extraordinary circumstances.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(3); Dixon v. 

Ylst, 990 F.2d 478, 480 (9th Cir. 1993). 

In this case, on September 5, 2013, plaintiff Perez filed a “Consent to Magistrate Judge 

Jurisdiction.” Dkt. No. 4. On June 8, 2016, after the resignation of the Magistrate Judge 

previously assigned to the case, the Chief Judge ordered that each party within seven days “must 

either file written consent to the jurisdiction of a magistrate judge, or request reassignment to a 

district judge.” Dkt. No. 88. That order did not recognize that plaintiff Perez had already filed his 

Case 5:13-cv-04116-NC Document 92 Filed 06/30/16 Page 1 of 3
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written consent. Perez then on June 15, 2016, responded by submitting a “Decline of Jurisdiction” 

form. Dkt. No. 91.

Perez therefore has filed one form consenting, and a later form declining, the jurisdiction of 

a Magistrate Judge. This order seeks to clarify the situation. 

A Consent or Decline form is attached to this order. Perez is asked to mark one of the 

boxes and to return the form to the Court within 14 days. Additionally, if Perez contends that there 

are “extraordinary circumstances” warranting the withdrawal of his 2013 consent, he should 

explain in writing on that same form why his consent should be withdrawn.

The Court will stay the case until the consent/declination issue is resolved. Defendants 

have already filed their consent form. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: June 30, 2016

Honorable Nathanael Cousins

Magistrate Judge, United States District Court

Case 5:13-cv-04116-NC Document 92 Filed 06/30/16 Page 2 of 3
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAUL BARRIOS PEREZ,

Plaintiff,

v.

M.L. THOMAS, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 13-cv-04116 NC 

CONSENT OR DECLINATION TO 

MAGISTRATE JUDGE JURISDICTION

INSTRUCTIONS: Please indicate below by checking one of the two boxes whether you (if 

you are the party) or the party you represent (if you are an attorney in the case) choose(s) to consent 

or decline magistrate judge jurisdiction in this matter. Sign this form below your selection.

( ) Consent to Magistrate Judge Jurisdiction

In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), I voluntarily consent to have a 

United States magistrate judge conduct all further proceedings in this case, including trial and entry 

of final judgment. I understand that appeal from the judgment shall be taken directly to the United 

States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

OR

( ) Decline Magistrate Judge Jurisdiction

In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), I decline to have a United States 

magistrate judge conduct all further proceedings in this case and I hereby request that this case be 

reassigned to a United States district judge.

EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES:__________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

DATE: NAME:

COUNSEL FOR:

(OR “PRO SE:)

__________________________________

Signature

Case 5:13-cv-04116-NC Document 92 Filed 06/30/16 Page 3 of 3