Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-2_15-cv-00019/USCOURTS-ared-2_15-cv-00019-0/pdf.json

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

---

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

EASTERN DIVISION

THOMAS W. POWERS

ADC #138358 PLAINTIFF

V. CASE NO. 2:15-CV-00019 DPM/BD

RAY HOBBS, 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. There are rules and procedures that you must follow in order to proceed with

your lawsuit, even though you are not a lawyer.

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. Copies of

rules can be found in the prison library.

In particular, Local Rule 5.5(c)(2) explains requirements for plaintiffs, like you,

who are not represented by a lawyer:

1. You must promptly notify the Clerk and the other parties in the case

of any change in address. You must inform the court if you are

transferred from one unit to another. Notifying the court of your

change in address is especially important if you are released from

custody while your lawsuit is pending. If you do not keep the court

informed as to your current address, your lawsuit can be dismissed.

2. You must monitor the progress of your case and prosecute the case

diligently.

3. You must sign all pleadings and other papers filed with the court,

and each paper you file must include your current address.

4. If you fail to timely respond to a Court Order directing action on

your part, the case may be dismissed, without prejudice. 

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

Case 2:15-cv-00019-DPM Document 3 Filed 02/12/15 Page 1 of 3
or, if he cannot afford to pay the entire fee in a lump sum, to apply to proceed in

forma pauperis (“IFP”). You have filed an application to proceed IFP and

submitted all necessary documents. Your IFP motion (docket entry #1),

therefore, is GRANTED.

Based on balances in your prison trust account, the Court will not assess an initial

payment. However, the $350.00 filing fee will be withdrawn from your prison

account in monthly installments until the filing fee is paid in full, even if the

lawsuit is dismissed before trial.

Third: 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 will be appointed to assist you before

trial.

Fourth: 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.

Fifth: 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.

Sixth: Provide a Witness List. If your case is set for trial, as your trial date

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

witness list, the Court will subpoena necessary witnesses.

The Clerk of the Court is directed to send a copy of this Order to the Arkansas

Department of Correction Trust Fund Centralized Banking Office, P.O. Box 8908, Pine

Bluff, Arkansas 71611, the Arkansas Department of Correction Compliance Division,

P.O. Box 20550, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71612, and the Warden of the Wrightsville Unit,

Post Office Box 1000, Wrightsville, Arkansas 72183. 

2

Case 2:15-cv-00019-DPM Document 3 Filed 02/12/15 Page 2 of 3
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 12th day of February, 2015.

___________________________________

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

3

Case 2:15-cv-00019-DPM Document 3 Filed 02/12/15 Page 3 of 3