Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_19-cv-00296/USCOURTS-ared-3_19-cv-00296-0/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

JONESBORO DIVISION 

CLARENCE ANDERSON PLAINTIFF 

ADC# 165441 

v. No: 3:19-cv-00296 JM-PSH 

BOWERS, et al. DEFENDANTS 

INITIAL ORDER FOR PRO SE PRISONER PLAINTIFFS

 You have filed this federal civil rights lawsuit pro se, that is, without the help of a lawyer.1

 

There are rules and procedures that you must follow in order to proceed with your lawsuit, even 

though you are not a lawyer. 

 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT: 

 First: Follow All Court Rules. You must comply with the Federal Rules of Civil 

Procedure as well as Local Rules for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Local Rule 5.5(c)(2) 

provides that: 

It is the duty of any party not represented by counsel to promptly notify the Clerk 

and the other parties to the proceedings of any change in his or her address, to 

monitor the progress of the case, and to prosecute or defend the action diligently. 

A party appearing for himself/herself shall sign his/her pleadings and state his/her 

address, zip code, and telephone number. If any communication from the Court to 

a pro se plaintiff is not responded to within thirty (30) days, the case may be 

dismissed without prejudice. Any party proceeding pro se shall be expected to be 

familiar with and follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 

 Second: Pay the Filing Fee. Every civil case filed by a prisoner – including this one – 

requires the plaintiff to pay a filing fee either at the beginning of the lawsuit or, if he cannot afford 

                                                             1 Although your complaint lists multiple plaintiffs, a separate civil rights lawsuit was initiated on 

behalf of each plaintiff. The cases are not consolidated. A plaintiff may not assert claims on behalf of his 

fellow inmates. See Martin v. Sargent, 780 F.2d 1334, 1337 (8th Cir. 1985) (“A prisoner cannot bring 

claims on behalf of other prisoners.”).

Case 3:19-cv-00296-JM Document 3 Filed 10/31/19 Page 1 of 3
to pay the entire fee in a lump sum, to apply for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”). If 

you are granted IFP status, the filing fee is $350, which will be collected in installments from your 

prisoner account. Importantly, the entire filing fee will be collected, even if your lawsuit is 

dismissed. 

 Because you IFP application (Doc. No. 1) does not contain the required information, it is 

DENIED without prejudice. The Clerk of Court is directed to enclose an IFP application along 

with a copy of this order. You must return a completed IFP application, including an 

accompanying affidavit and jail account information sheet, or pay the $400.00 filing and 

administrative fees within 30 days of the date of this order. Otherwise, the lawsuit will be 

dismissed. 

 Third: Provide Addresses for Service. All defendants must be served with the complaint 

and a summons within 90 days of the filing of a complaint. This includes “John/Jane Doe” 

defendants. Any defendant who is not served within 90 days can be dismissed, without prejudice, 

from the lawsuit. If you are proceeding IFP, the Court will order service of process on the 

defendants if it determines that service is appropriate after screening your complaint as required 

by 28 U.S.C. § 1915A and/or 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e). However, it is your responsibility to identify 

defendants, including “Doe” defendants, and to provide valid service addresses for defendants. 

You may send discovery requests, or use other means, to find valid service addresses for 

defendants. 

 Fourth: No Right to Appointed Counsel. This is a civil case. Unlike criminal cases, 

there is no right to have an appointed lawyer in a civil case. If your case proceeds to a jury trial, 

however, a lawyer may be appointed to assist you before trial. 

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 Fifth: Do Not File Your Discovery Requests. Discovery requests, such as interrogatories 

and requests for documents, are not to be filed with the Court. Instead, discovery requests should 

be sent to counsel for the defendant (or directly to the defendant if he or she is not represented by 

a lawyer). No discovery should be sent to a defendant until after that defendant has been served 

with the complaint. 

 Sixth: Do Not Send Documents to Court Except in Two Situations. You may send 

documents or other evidence to the Court only if attached to a motion for summary judgment or in 

response to a motion for summary judgment; or if the court orders you to send documents or other 

evidence. 

 Seventh: Provide a Witness List. If your case is set for a hearing or trial, as your hearing 

or trial date approaches, you will be asked to provide a witness list. After reviewing the witness 

list, the Court will make efforts to ensure the attendance of all appropriate witnesses. 

 IT IS SO ORDERED this 31st day of October, 2019. 

 

 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 3:19-cv-00296-JM Document 3 Filed 10/31/19 Page 3 of 3