Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_17-cv-00902/USCOURTS-caed-2_17-cv-00902-12/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 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

RICHARD TERFLINGER, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

B. WILEY, et al., 

Defendants. 

No. 2:17-cv-0902 AC P 

ORDER 

 Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding through limited appointment counsel with a civil 

rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On January 15, 2020, this matter came before the 

court for a status conference regarding plaintiff’s competency and the potential appointment of a 

guardian ad litem for purposes of further settlement proceedings. Lori Rifkin appeared on behalf 

of plaintiff, and Janet Chen appeared on behalf of defendants. Having considered the documents 

submitted at ECF Nos. 41 and 46, and the statements of counsel, the court makes the following 

findings for reasons stated on the record and with the concurrence of all counsel: 

1. There has been a substantial showing of incompetence that requires a competency 

hearing. See Allen v. Calderon, 408 F.3d 1150, 1153 (9th Cir. 2005). 

2. Plaintiff is unable, due to his dementia and related cognitive deficits, to participate 

meaningfully in a competency hearing, and the question of competence may be 

reliably determined on the basis of the record before the court without his appearance. 

Case 2:17-cv-00902-AC Document 52 Filed 01/16/20 Page 1 of 2
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3. The record establishes that Mr. Terflinger lacks the capacity to understand the nature 

and consequences of the instant proceedings, and is unable to assist counsel in 

negotiating a settlement or preparing the case. He is therefore incompetent under 

California law. See Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 372; In re Jessica G., 93 Cal. App. 4th 

1180, 1186 (2001). 

4. Appointment of a guardian at litem for purposes of further settlement proceedings is 

appropriate under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 17(c)(2). 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that counsel for plaintiff shall confer with the 

potential guardian ad litem and defense counsel in order to schedule a further hearing to address 

the proposed appointment. 

DATED: January 15, 2020 

Case 2:17-cv-00902-AC Document 52 Filed 01/16/20 Page 2 of 2