Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_17-cv-00294/USCOURTS-caed-1_17-cv-00294-15/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

Plaintiff Christopher Dickson (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma 

pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This action proceeds against 

Defendants Gomez, Rios, and Martinez for excessive force and against Defendants Duncan and 

Esparza for violations of Plaintiff’s due process rights.

The Court has determined that this case will benefit from a settlement conference. Therefore, 

this case will be referred to Magistrate Judge Stanley A. Boone to conduct a settlement conference on 

March 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the evolving 

coronavirus protocols, the Court finds that the parties shall appear remotely via the Zoom 

videoconferencing application.

The parties shall each submit to Judge Boone a confidential settlement conference statement, 

as described below, to arrive at least seven days (one week) prior to the conference. 

CHRISTOPHER DICKSON,

Plaintiff,

v.

GOMEZ, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:17-cv-00294-DAD-BAM (PC)

ORDER SETTING SETTLEMENT 

CONFERENCE AND STAYING CASE

Hearing: Settlement Conference

Date: March 4, 2021

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Judge: Stanley A. Boone

Location: via Zoom Videoconference

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The Court puts the parties on notice that if Plaintiff has any outstanding criminal restitution 

obligation, fines and/or penalties, these settlement negotiations shall not be geared towards what the 

restitution obligation is, but what the value of the case itself is to each side, irrespective of any 

outstanding restitution obligation.

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. This action is STAYED to allow the parties an opportunity to settle their dispute before the 

discovery process begins. Except as provided herein or by subsequent court order, no other 

pleadings or other documents may be filed in this case during the stay of this action. The 

parties shall not engage in formal discovery, but may engage in informal discovery to 

prepare for the settlement conference.

2. This case is set for a video settlement conference, via the Zoom videoconferencing 

application, before Magistrate Judge Stanley A. Boone on March 4, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.

3. A representative with full and unlimited authority to negotiate and enter into a binding 

settlement shall attend via the Zoom videoconferencing application.

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4. Those in attendance must be prepared to discuss the claims, defenses and damages. The 

failure or refusal of any counsel, party or authorized person subject to this order to appear 

in person may result in the cancellation of the conference and the imposition of sanctions. 

The manner and timing of Plaintiff’s transportation to and from the conference is within the 

discretion of CDCR.

5. Defendants shall provide a confidential settlement statement to the following email 

address: saborders@caed.uscourts.gov. Plaintiff shall mail his confidential settlement 

statement to U.S. District Court, 2500 Tulare Street, Fresno, California 93721, “Attention: 

Magistrate Judge Stanley A. Boone.” The envelope shall be marked “Confidential 

Settlement Statement.” Settlement statements shall arrive no later than February 25, 

2021. Parties shall also file a Notice of Submission of Confidential Settlement Statement

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In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the evolving coronavirus protocols, the Court 

may issue an order at a later date requiring the parties to appear in person.

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(See Local Rule 270(d)). Settlement statements should not be filed with the Clerk of the 

Court nor served on any other party. Settlement statements shall be clearly marked 

“Confidential” with the date and time of the settlement conference indicated prominently 

thereon.

6. The confidential settlement statement shall be no longer than five pages in length, typed 

or neatly printed, and include the following:

a. A brief statement of the facts of the case.

b. A brief statement of the claims and defenses, i.e., statutory or other grounds upon 

which the claims are founded; a forthright evaluation of the parties’ likelihood of 

prevailing on the claims and defenses; and a description of the major issues in 

dispute.

c. An estimate of the cost and time to be expended for further discovery, pretrial, and 

trial.

d. The party’s position on settlement, including present demands and offers and a 

history of past settlement discussions, offers, and demands.

e. A brief statement of each party’s expectations and goals for the settlement 

conference, including how much a party is willing to accept and/or willing to pay.

f. If parties intend to discuss the joint settlement of any other actions or claims not in 

this suit, give a brief description of each action or claim as set forth above, 

including case number(s) if applicable.

7. If a settlement is reached at any point during the stay of this action, the parties shall file a 

Notice of Settlement in accordance with Local Rule 160.

8. The parties remain obligated to keep the Court informed of their current address at all times 

during the stay and while the action is pending. Any change of address must be reported 

promptly to the Court in a separate document captioned for this case and entitled “Notice 

of Change of Address.” See Local Rule 182(f).

9. Counsel for Defendants is required to arrange for Plaintiff’s participation by contacting the 

Litigation Coordinator at the institution where Plaintiff is housed. Counsel shall also 

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contact Courtroom Deputy, Mamie Hernandez, at (559) 499-5672 or 

mhernandez@caed.uscourts.gov for more information on how to facilitate the conference; 

and

10. A failure to follow these procedures may result in the imposition of sanctions by the 

court.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 18, 2020 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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