Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-1_19-cv-04279/USCOURTS-cand-1_19-cv-04279-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 360
Nature of Suit: Other Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1346 Wrongful Death

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

EUREKA DIVISION

VICTOR M SIENZE, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

BENJAMIN THOMAS MOORE, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 19-cv-04279-RMI 

ORDER

On July 25, 2019, Plaintiffs Victor M. Sienze, Betty J. Sienze, Victor M. Sienze III, J. S., 

R. K. H., and Crystal K. Sienze asserted claims against Defendants Benjamin T. Moore, Lake 

County Sheriff’s Department, and California Highway Patrol for negligent homicide, abridging 

constitutional rights, desecration of human remains, and mayhem. (dkt. 1). Only Plaintiff Victor 

M. Sienze signed the Complaint, although there appear to be six plaintiffs. Id. Similarly, only 

Plaintiff Victor M. Sienze filed an Application To Proceed In Forma Pauperis. (dkt. 2). Plaintiff 

Victor M. Sienze consented to the jurisdiction of the undersigned on July 25, 2019. (dkt. 3). 

The court is mindful that Plaintiffs are proceeding pro se. See, e.g, Erickson v. Pardus, 551 

U.S. 89, 94 (2007) (“a pro se complaint, however inartfully pleaded, must be held to less stringent 

standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers”). Yet a complaint must be signed by each

party personally if the party is unrepresented by an attorney. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 11(a). “The 

[complaint] must state the signer’s address, e-mail address, and telephone number.” Id. If all 

Plaintiffs – rather than only Plaintiff Victor M. Sienze – wish to pursue the action against 

Defendants together, Plaintiffs must re-file a complaint that includes each Plaintiff’s signature in 

addition to each Plaintiff’s address, e-mail address, and telephone number.

Case 1:19-cv-04279-RMI Document 6 Filed 08/21/19 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

In addition, pro se plaintiffs are generally prohibited from pursuing claims on behalf of 

others in a representative capacity. See Civil L.R. 3–9(a); see also Johns v. Cnty. of San Diego, 

114 F.3d 874, 876 (9th Cir.1997) (“While a non-attorney may appear pro se on his own behalf, he 

has no authority to appear as an attorney for others than himself.”); Godoy v. Brown, No. 18-CV06650-HSG (PR), 2019 WL 359418, at *3 (N.D. Cal. Jan. 29, 2019). Furthermore, a minor child 

cannot represent himself. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c); see also Castillo-Ramirez v. Cty. of Sonoma, 

No. C-09-5938 EMC, 2010 WL 1460142, at *1 (N.D. Cal. Apr. 9, 2010). A non-attorney parent 

cannot represent a minor child. Johns, 114 F.3d at 877; Thomas v. Cty. of Sonoma, No. 17-CV00245-LB, 2017 WL 2289208, at *3 (N.D. Cal. May 25, 2017). Two Plaintiffs – J. S. and R. K. H. 

– are identified by initials and described as “son” in the Complaint. (dkt. 1). If Plaintiffs J. S. and 

R. K. H are minor children, each must be represented by an attorney.

Similarly, Plaintiff Victor M. Sienze filed an Application To Proceed In Forma Pauperis

on his own behalf and also on behalf of the “Jason Richard Sienze Family.” (dkt. 2). As a pro se

plaintiff, Mr. Sienze may not represent the Jason Richard Sienze Family. Accordingly, each 

Plaintiff must independently file an application seeking in forma pauperis status. 

The court will mail Plaintiff Victor M. Sienze a copy of “Representing Yourself in Federal 

Court: A Handbook for Pro Se Litigants” at the same time it sends a copy of this Order.

Accordingly, it is ORDERED, that on or before September 20, 2019, Plaintiffs shall refile 

the Complaint with the appropriate signatures and requisite information, file their applications to

proceed in forma pauperis, and file notices of appearances for any minor children plaintiffs, or 

otherwise inform the court as to which plaintiffs are proceeding in this action.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 21, 2019

ROBERT M. ILLMAN

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 1:19-cv-04279-RMI Document 6 Filed 08/21/19 Page 2 of 2