Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-cv-02593/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-cv-02593-3/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

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOEL JAMES CLOUD,

Plaintiff,

v.

OFFICER COX, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 2:19-cv-2593 WBS DB P

ORDER

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with an action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

Plaintiff alleges, among other things, that defendants used excessive force in violation of the 

Eighth Amendment. On screening the complaint, this court found: 

(1) Plaintiff stated a cognizable claim for excessive force against defendants Cox and Van 

Raiden.

(2) Plaintiff failed to state a cognizable excessive force claim against defendant 

Rodriguez; plaintiff was given leave to amend his complaint to attempt to state that claim.

(3) Plaintiff failed to state a cognizable claim regarding a cell extraction against other 

defendants; plaintiff was given leave to amend to attempt to state a claim regarding the cell 

extraction.

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(4) Plaintiff could not state claims for failure to process his appeals against defendants 

Espinoza and Quam or for a loss of property against defendant Kessler; this court recommended 

those claims be dismissed from this action. 

In a document filed here on February 10, 2020, plaintiff states that he wishes to proceed 

on his excessive force claim against defendants Cox and Van Raiden and understands that 

defendant Rodriguez will be dismissed from this action. (ECF No. 11.) Plaintiff then states 

“objections.” He argues that officers used unnecessary force in the cell extraction. 

It appears that plaintiff is attempting to state a somewhat different claim against the 

officers involved in the cell extraction than the claim this court understood previously. If plaintiff 

wishes to amend his complaint to attempt to state a claim for excessive force against those 

officers, he may do so. However, objections are not the correct way to attempt to state that claim. 

Plaintiff must file an amended complaint that complies with: (1) the legal standards for an 

excessive force claim; and (2) the standards for filing an amended complaint that are described in 

the court’s January 28, 2020 order. (ECF No. 8.) Plaintiff is reminded that in any amended 

complaint he must include ALL claims he wants to pursue in this case. In addition, he must 

specifically describe what each defendant did that violated his Eighth Amendment rights. 

The court will provide plaintiff an additional thirty days to file an amended complaint. If 

he fails to do so, this court will assume plaintiff wishes to proceed on the Eighth Amendment 

excessive force claim against defendants Cox and Van Raiden and will recommend all other 

claims in the complaint be dismissed. 

For the foregoing reasons, and good cause appearing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED as 

follows:

1. Within thirty (30) days of the date of this order, plaintiff shall file any amended 

complaint as described above and as described in the court’s January 28 order. 

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2. If plaintiff does not file an amended complaint or otherwise respond to this order, this 

case will proceed on plaintiff’s claims for excessive force against Cox and Van Raiden. This 

court will then recommend the remaining claims and defendants be dismissed from this action. 

Dated: February 13, 2020

DLB:9/DB/prisoner-civil rights/clou2593.lta or proceed 2

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