Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01427/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01427-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOSE B. ORTIZ,

Plaintiff,

v.

D. DAVEY, et al.,

Defendants.

1:15-cv-01427-DAD-MJS (PC)

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S 

FOURTH MOTION TO EXTEND TIME TO 

FILE AN AMENDED COMPLAINT OR 

NOTICE OF WILLINGNESS TO PROCEED 

ON COGNIZABLE CLAIMS

(ECF No. 25)

CLERK TO SERVE COPY OF ORDER ON 

LITIGATION COORDINATOR AT KERN 

VALLEY STATE PRISON

30-DAY DEADLINE

Plaintiff is a prisoner proceeding pro se in a civil rights action pursuant to 42 

U.S.C. ' 1983. On December 15, 2015, the Court issued a screening order finding 

Plaintiff had stated cognizable claims against Defendants Huewe and Espino for failure 

to protect and against Defendants Kirby and Huewe for retaliation. (ECF No. 12.) Plaintiff 

was instructed to file a notice of his willingness to proceed on the cognizable claims or 

file an amended complaint on or before January 15, 2016.

Before the Court is Plaintiff’s fourth request for an extension of time to respond to 

the Court’s order, filed on May 6, 2016. (ECF No. 25.) Every one of Plaintiff’s requests 

for time have been for the same reason: lack of access to his legal materials. (ECF Nos. 

Case 1:15-cv-01427-AWI-MJS Document 26 Filed 06/03/16 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

13, 15, & 17.) Plaintiff reports that he remains in administrative segregation and despite 

his best efforts has been unable to procure his legal materials from custody 

management officials.

Plaintiff’s request will be GRANTED. In addition, the Court will request the 

assistance of the prison’s Litigation Coordinator in resolving Plaintiff’s issues with 

receiving legal mail. The Clerk will be directed to serve a copy of this order on the 

Litigation Coordinator at Plaintiff’s institution. However, Plaintiff is advised that the Court 

cannot delay action indefinitely. The Court would expect that in most cases, even 

lacking his complete legal file, a Plaintiff could decide whether to defer to the Court’s 

finding that only specified claims are cognizable and proceed on those alone. Plaintiff is 

encouraged to try to make that decision even if he lacks his complete file since further 

extensions of time are unlikely.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff is granted thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order in 

which to file an amended complaint or a notice of willingness to proceed only 

on cognizable claims.

2. The Clerk is directed to serve a copy of this order on the Litigation Coordinator 

at Kern Valley State Prison; and

3. The Litigation Coordinator’s assistance is requested in resolving Plaintiff’s 

difficulties in receiving legal his legal paperwork.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 2, 2016 /s/Michael J. Seng 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-01427-AWI-MJS Document 26 Filed 06/03/16 Page 2 of 2