Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_03-cv-02820/USCOURTS-cand-3_03-cv-02820-5/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 Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHARLES CHATMAN, 

Plaintiff,

 v.

RICHARD EARLY, et al.,

Defendants. ___________________________

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No. C 03-2820 MMC (PR)

ORDER GRANTING EXTENSION OF

TIME; DIRECTIONS TO CLERK;

REQUESTING PRISON’S ASSISTANCE

(Docket No. 116) 

In 2003, plaintiff Charles Chatman, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, filed the abovetitled civil rights complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. In 2004, the action was dismissed

by the Court and, in 2005, the Court of Appeals vacated the order of dismissal and remanded

the matter. Thereafter, in an order dated October 16, 2006, the Court found plaintiff had

stated cognizable claims for relief based on his allegations of food deprivation, retaliation

and interference with his mail; the Court ordered the complaint served on thirty-six

defendants. Subsequently, plaintiff filed an amended complaint. In an order dated

February 11, 2008, the Court directed that the amended complaint be served, and set a

briefing schedule for dispositive motions. 

On May 12, 2008, the defendants represented by the Attorney General’s Office filed a

motion to dismiss; that same date, defendant Chen, who is represented by counsel for the

California Office of the Inspector General, filed a motion for summary judgment. According

to the Court’s briefing schedule, plaintiff was to file his opposition to said motions within

thirty days of the date the motions were filed. On July 1, 2008, the Court granted plaintiff an

Case 3:03-cv-02820-MMC Document 117 Filed 08/21/08 Page 1 of 2
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extension of time until August 1, 2008 to file his opposition, in light of plaintiff’s

representation to the Court, in a request for an extension of time filed June 19, 2008, that

following his return to High Desert State Prison from an outside hospital on May 29, 2008,

he was placed in administrative segregation without access to his legal property. 

Now before the Court is plaintiff’s second request for an extension of time to file his

opposition. In said request, filed July 31, 2008, plaintiff states he remains in administrative

segregation at High Desert State Prison and is still being denied access to his legal property. 

Plaintiff further states he has filed an administrative appeal seeking access to the documents

he requires to prepare his opposition, but has not yet received a response. 

In light of the above circumstances, plaintiff’s request for an extension of time is

hereby GRANTED. Plaintiff shall file his opposition to defendants’ dispositive motions on

or before September 22, 2008. Defendants shall file a reply within fourteen days of the date

the opposition is filed.

Although prison officials at High Desert State Prison are not parties to the instant

action, and the Court thus lacks jurisdiction to order such individuals to provide plaintiff with

access to his legal materials, the Court nevertheless hereby REQUESTS that prison officials

provide plaintiff with reasonable access to his legal materials for purposes of his complying

with the deadlines set forth in this order. 

The Clerk of the Court shall send a copy of this order to plaintiff and to defendants’

counsel, and shall send a courtesy copy by certified mail to:

Warden Tom Felker

High Desert State Prison

P.O. Box 750

Susanville, CA 96127-0750

 This order terminates Docket No. 116.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: August 21, 2008 ____________________________

MAXINE M. CHESNEY

United States District Judge 

Case 3:03-cv-02820-MMC Document 117 Filed 08/21/08 Page 2 of 2