Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_18-cv-01338/USCOURTS-caed-1_18-cv-01338-1/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ALONZO JOSEPH,

 Plaintiff,

 vs.

DR. RAHIMIFAR, et al.,

 Defendants.

1:18-cv-01338-GSA-PC

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S 

REQUEST FOR COURT TO ADD 

EXHIBITS TO FIRST AMENDED 

COMPLAINT

(ECF No. 20.)

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF LEAVE 

TO FILE A SECOND AMENDED 

COMPLAINT WITH EXHIBITS 

ATTACHED, AS INSTRUCTED BY THIS 

ORDER

THIRTY DAY DEADLINE

I. BACKGROUND

Alonzo Joseph (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis

with this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On September 4, 2018, Plaintiff filed 

the Complaint commencing this action. (ECF No. 1.) On August 28, 2019, the court screened 

the Complaint and dismissed the Complaint for failure to state a claim, with leave to amend. 

(ECF No. 15.) On September 27, 2019, Plaintiff filed the First Amended Complaint. (ECF No. 

18.)

On December 5, 2019, Plaintiff filed a motion to add exhibits to the First Amended 

Complaint. (ECF No. 20.)

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II. LOCAL RULE 220 AND FEDERAL RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 15(a) -

AMENDING THE COMPLAINT

Local Rule 220 provides, in part:

Unless prior approval to the contrary is obtained from the Court, every 

pleading to which an amendment or supplement is permitted as a matter of right 

or has been allowed by court order shall be retyped and filed so that it is complete 

in itself without reference to the prior or superseded pleading. No pleading shall 

be deemed amended or supplemented until this Rule has been complied with. All 

changed pleadings shall contain copies of all exhibits referred to in the changed 

pleading.

Plaintiff has submitted nine pages of exhibits to the courtseparate from the First Amended 

Complaint, with a request for the court to accept the exhibits as part of the First Amended 

Complaint. Plaintiff may not add supporting exhibits in this manner. Under Rule 220, Plaintiff 

may not amend the First Amended Complaint by adding exhibits submitted separately from the 

First Amended Complaint. To add information, or make a correction to the First Amended 

Complaint, Plaintiff must file an amended complaint which is complete in itself without reference 

to prior complaints. To add his exhibits Plaintiff must file a Second Amended Complaint, 

complete in itself, with the exhibits attached.

Plaintiff explains that he submitted the exhibits separately from the First Amended 

Complaint because he did not obtain the exhibits until after the First Amended Complaint was 

filed. Plaintiff asserts that the exhibits are medical records showing he was infected with the 

“Hep C” virus, and the Defendants did nothing to treat Plaintiff.

“Rule 15(a) is very liberal and leave to amend ‘shall be freely given when justice so 

requires.’” AmerisourceBergen Corp. v. Dialysis West, Inc., 445 F.3d 1132, 1136 (9th Cir. 2006) 

(quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)). In the interest of justice, the court shall allow Plaintiff to file a 

Second Amended Complaint with his exhibits attached, and must do so within thirty days. The 

Second Amended Complaint does not need to be identical to the First Amended Complaint, but 

it should be materially the same. Plaintiff is not granted leave to change the nature of the 

complaint, add defendants for unrelated claims, or add allegations of events occurring after this 

case was filed on September 4, 2018. If Plaintiff chooses to amend the complaint he shall clearly 

title the amended complaint “Second Amended Complaint” and refer to case number 18-cv01338-GSA-PC.

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III. CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s motion for the court to add separate exhibits to the First Amended 

Complaint is DENIED;

2. If Plaintiff wishes to include his exhibits, he must file a Second Amended 

Complaint with the exhibits attached;

3. Plaintiff is granted leave to file a Second Amended Complaint within thirty days 

of the date of service of this order, with his exhibits attached, as instructed by this 

order; and

4. If Plaintiff does not file a Second Amended Complaint within the thirty-day 

deadline, this case shall proceed with the First Amended Complaint filed on 

September 27, 2019, without exhibits.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 23, 2020 /s/ Gary S. Austin 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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