Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-5_15-cv-00078/USCOURTS-ared-5_15-cv-00078-0/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

PINE BLUFF DIVISION

DERRICK JOHNSON, JR. PLAINTIFF

ADC #106719

V. 5:15CV00078 BRW/JTR

RUSSELL, et al. DEFENDANTS

Dentist, Cummins Unit/Correctional Care

Solutions

INITIAL ORDER FOR PRO SE PRISONERS

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. In

particular, 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 must 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 must be

expected to be familiar with and follow the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure.” 

Second: The Three Strikes Rule. The Prison Litigation Reform Act, 28

U.S.C. § 1915(g), provides that:

"In no event shall a prisoner bring a civil action or appeal a

judgment in a civil action or proceeding under this section if the prisoner

Case 5:15-cv-00078-BRW Document 2 Filed 03/11/15 Page 1 of 2
has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any

facility, brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that

was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to

state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner is

under imminent danger of serious physical injury."

Third: Service of Defendants. All Defendants must be served within 120

days of the filing of the Complaint. This includes “John/Jane Doe” Defendants. It is

your responsibility to identify all Defendants, including “Doe” Defendants. The Court

will order service on all identified Defendants, but you are responsible for providing

valid service addresses for each of them. Any Defendant who is not served within 120

days will be dismissed, without prejudice, from the lawsuit

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 will be appointed to assist you.

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

requests for production of documents, and responses to discovery requests cannot be

filed with the Court. Instead, you must mail discovery requests and responses directly

to counsel for the Defendant. Do not mail discovery requests to Defendants' counsel

until after he or she has filed an Answer or Motion to Dismiss.

Sixth: Do Not Send Documents to the Court, Except in Two Situations.

You may send documents or other evidence to the Court only if: (1) it is attached to

a Motion for Summary Judgment, or a Response thereto; or (2) the Court orders you

to file documents or other evidence.

Seventh: Witnesses. If your case is set for trial, as your trial date approaches,

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

Court will subpoena the necessary witnesses.

IT IS SO ORDERED this 11th day of March, 2015.

__________________________________

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

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