Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00171/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00171-3/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

DAVID MADDOX,

Plaintiff,

vs.

JAMES A. YATES, et al., 

 Defendants.

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Case No. 1:13-cv-00171-BAM PC

ORDER PROVIDING DEFENDANT WITH 

THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW GOOD 

CAUSE FOR FAILING TO WAIVE 

SERVICE

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Plaintiff David Maddox (“Plaintiff”), a former state prisoner proceeding pro se and in 

forma pauperis, filed this civil rights action on February 4, 2013.

On June 16, 2014, the Court ordered the United States Marshal to serve process on 

Defendant Arnellas in this case. The Marshal was directed to attempt to secure a waiver of 

service before attempting personal service on defendant. If a waiver of service was not returned 

by the defendant within sixty days, the Marshal was directed to effect personal service on the 

defendant in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 

and 28 U.S.C. § 566(c), without prepayment of costs, and to file the return of service with 

evidence of any attempt to secure a waiver of service and with evidence of all costs subsequently 

incurred in effecting personal service.

Case 1:13-cv-00171-BAM Document 28 Filed 03/04/15 Page 1 of 3
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On November 24, 2014, the United States Marshal filed a return of service with USM285 forms showing charges of $329.44 for effecting personal service on Defendant Arnellas. 

(ECF No. 26.) The form shows that a waiver of service form was mailed to Defendant Arnellas

on July 16, 2014. 

Pursuant to the Court’s order, Defendant is required to return the waiver to the United 

States Marshal and the filing of an answer or a motion does not relieve him/her of this obligation. 

Defendant Arnellas did not return a waiver, which resulted in the execution of personal service 

on November 20, 2014.

Defendant Arnellas filed an answer on March 3, 2015.

Rule 4 provides that “[a]n individual, corporation, or association that is subject to service 

under Rule 4(e), (f), or (h) has a duty to avoid unnecessary expenses of serving the summons.” 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(1). “If a defendant located within the United States fails, without good 

cause, to sign and return a waiver requested by a plaintiff located within the United States, the 

court must impose on the defendant . . . the expenses later incurred in making service. . . .” Fed. 

R. Civ. P. 4(d)(2)(A).

It appears that Defendant Arnellas was given the opportunity required by Rule 4(d)(1) to 

waive service, but failed to return the waiver to the United States Marshal, although Defendant 

Arnellas did make an appearance in the action. The Court shall provide Defendant Arnellas with 

the opportunity to show good cause for failing to waive service. If Defendant Arnellas either 

fails to respond to this order or responds but fails to show good cause, the costs incurred in 

effecting service shall be imposed. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Defendant Arnellas may, within thirty (30) days from the date of this 

order, show good cause for failing to waive service; and

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2. If Defendant fails to respond to this order or responds but fails to show good 

cause, the Court shall impose the costs incurred in effecting service.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 4, 2015 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:13-cv-00171-BAM Document 28 Filed 03/04/15 Page 3 of 3