Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_09-cv-05381/USCOURTS-cand-3_09-cv-05381-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOSEPH J. SPEDUS, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

 v.

H&R BLOCK MORTGAGE COMPANY

INC, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

No. 09-05381 JSW

ORDER DISCHARGING ORDER

TO SHOW CAUSE AND

GRANTING FINAL EXTENSION

OF TIME

On November 23, 2009, Defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss, which was noticed for

hearing on January 22, 2010. The Court issued a briefing schedule and ordered that Plaintiffs’

opposition would be due by no later than December 16, 2009. On December 15, 2009,

Plaintiffs Filed a Motion to Enlarge Time to File Opening Brief and Plea for Leniency and

Waiver of Formal Requirements. Plaintiffs asked that the Court delay submission of their

“opening brief to no less than 60 days after the previously ordered due date,” and to extend

further dates as is reasonable and appropriate, and ask that “Defendants take no further action

regarding foreclosure or Trustee sale until all the matters at hand are resolved.” (Motion to

Enlarge Time at 4.)

On December 24, 2009, the Court granted Plaintiffs’ request, in part, extended the date

by which Plaintiffs were required to file their opposition to the motion to dismiss from

December 16, 2009, to January 8, 2010. The Court also granted Defendants an extension of

time to file their reply brief and continued the hearing to February 12, 2010. The Court also

advised that if either party sought to modify the briefing schedule or continue the hearing date,

Case 3:09-cv-05381-JSW Document 14 Filed 02/01/10 Page 1 of 4
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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they must submit a request to the Court demonstrating good cause for any such modification

and shall submit such request at least seven calendar days in advance of the deadline set in this

Order. 

Plaintiffs again failed to file an opposition brief by the deadline set by the Court and also

failed to seek an extension of time to do so. Accordingly, on January 15, 2010, the Court issued

an Order to Show Cause to Plaintiffs directing them to show cause why the case should not be

dismissed for failure to prosecute or why the Defendants’ motion should not be granted as

unopposed.

On January 28, 2010, Plaintiffs filed a timely response to the Order to Show Cause, in

which they again seek an extension of time to respond to Defendants’ motion to dismiss. 

Plaintiffs represent that they have been unable to meet the Court’s deadlines due to unspecified

medical conditions. Plaintiffs also advise the Court that they have consulted with the Volunteer

Legal Help Center, this Court’s Handbook for Pro Se Litigants, and have been attempting to

find legal representation. Plaintiffs seek a minimum of 35 days to respond to Defendants’

motion.

Defendants’ motion has now been on file for just over two months. The Court

recognizes that Plaintiffs are not lawyers. However, pro se litigants are bound by the rules of

procedure. Ghazali v. Moran, 46 F.3d 52, 54 (9th Cir. 1995), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 838 (1995). 

Thus, if Plaintiffs were unable to respond to the Defendants’ motion by the January 8, 2010

deadline set by the Court, they should have filed a request for an extension before that date, as

set forth in the Court’s Order. However, the Court shall grant Plaintiffs a final extension to

respond to Defendants’ motion and one final continuance of the hearing date. 

In light of the time that the motion has been outstanding, the Court shall not grant

Plaintiffs’ request for a minimum of 35 days. Rather Plaintiffs must file an opposition brief to

Defendants’ motion by no later than February 19, 2010. Defendants may file their reply brief

on or before February 26, 2010. The hearing shall be continued to March 19, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.,

and shall remain on calendar pending further order of the Court. 

Case 3:09-cv-05381-JSW Document 14 Filed 02/01/10 Page 2 of 4
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Finally, the Court shall not entertain any further requests from Plaintiffs for extensions

of time to file their opposition briefs. Thus, the Court again advises Plaintiffs that the

Handbook for Pro Se Litigants, contains helpful information about proceeding without an

attorney, is available through the Court’s website or in the Clerk’s office. The Court again

advises Plaintiffs that they also may wish to seek assistance from the Legal Help Center. 

Plaintiffs may call the Legal Help Center at 415-782-9000, extension 8657, or sign up on the

15th Floor of the Courthouse, Room 2796, for a free appointment with an attorney who may be

able to provide basic legal help, but not legal representation. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 1, 2010 

JEFFREY S. WHITE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:09-cv-05381-JSW Document 14 Filed 02/01/10 Page 3 of 4
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOSEPH J. SPEDUS et al,

Plaintiff,

 v.

H&R BLOCK MORTGAGE COMPANY

INC, et al,

Defendant.

 /

Case Number: CV09-05381 JSW 

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I, the undersigned, hereby certify that I am an employee in the Office of the Clerk, U.S. District

Court, Northern District of California.

That on February 1, 2010, I SERVED a true and correct copy(ies) of the attached, by placing

said copy(ies) in a postage paid envelope addressed to the person(s) hereinafter listed, by

depositing said envelope in the U.S. Mail, or by placing said copy(ies) into an inter-office

delivery receptacle located in the Clerk's office.

Joseph J. Spedus

61 Duran Drive

San Rafael, CA 94903

Dated: February 1, 2010

Richard W. Wieking, Clerk

By: Jennifer Ottolini, Deputy Clerk

Case 3:09-cv-05381-JSW Document 14 Filed 02/01/10 Page 4 of 4