Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01271/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01271-2/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 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TERRY JONES,

Plaintiff,

v.

PINA, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 1:23-cv-01271 GSA (PC)

ORDER DIRECTING PLAINTIFF TO SHOW 

CAUSE WHY THIS MATTER SHOULD NOT 

BE DISMISSED FOR FAILURE TO 

PROSECUTE

Local Rules 110, 183(b)

PLAINTIFF’S SHOWING OF CAUSE, OR IN 

THE ALTERNATIVE, HIS FILING OF A 

NOTICE OF CURRENT ADDRESS DUE 

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

Plaintiff, a former state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, has filed this 

civil rights action seeking relief under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The matter was referred to a United 

States Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 302.

For the reasons stated below, Plaintiff will be ordered to show cause why this matter 

should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute, i.e., Plaintiff has failed to file a notice of current 

address with the Court. As an alternative to filing the showing of cause, Plaintiff may file a 

notice of current address with the Court. He will be given fourteen days to take either course of 

action.

I. RELEVANT FACTS

On November 29, 2023, after Plaintiff had file several notices of change of address with 

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the Court (see ECF Nos. 8-11), the Court ultimately determined that Plaintiff was no longer 

incarcerated. As a result, Plaintiff was ordered to file an application to proceed in forma pauperis 

for a non-prisoner. See ECF No. 12. On December 20, 2023, Plaintiff’s non-prisoner in forma 

pauperis application was docketed. ECF No. 13.

On June 6, 2024, Plaintiff’s non-prisoner application to proceed in forma pauperis was 

granted and a copy of the order was served on him. See generally ECF No. 14. Shortly 

thereafter, on June 17, 2024, that order was returned to the Court marked “Undeliverable, 

Insufficient Address. See 6/17/24 docket entry. To date Plaintiff has not filed a change of 

address with the Court.

II. DISCUSSION

Local Rule 183 requires a party who is appearing in propria persona to keep the Court

informed of his or her current address. L.R. 183(b). It also gives the litigant sixty-three days to 

file a change of address form with the Court once mail sent to him/her has been returned. Id. 

Under the rule, a litigant’s failure to provide a change of address to the Court within this period 

subjects the matter to dismissal for failure to prosecute. Id.

More than sixty-three days have passed since the order in question was returned to the 

Court on June 17, 2024, and Plaintiff has not filed a change of address with the Court. As a 

result, this matter is ready for a recommendation that this matter be dismissed. However, given 

the markings on the order’s returned envelope of “Undeliverable, Insufficient Address,” as well 

as the fact that since the commencement of this action, Plaintiff has consistently filed change of 

address notices with the Court (see, e.g., ECF Nos. 8-12), the Court will grant Plaintiff a further 

opportunity to update his address with the Court. Therefore, prior to issuing an order that 

recommends the dismissal of this case, Plaintiff will first be ordered to show cause why this 

matter should not be dismissed for failure prosecute. As an alternative to filing the showing of 

cause, Plaintiff may file a notice of change of address with the Court.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Within fourteen days from the date of this order, Plaintiff shall show cause why this 

matter should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute, i.e., failure to keep the Court apprised of 

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his current address;

2. As an alternative to filing the showing of cause, Plaintiff may file a notice of current 

address with the Court, and

3. Plaintiff shall have fourteen days – i.e., until September 13, 2024, – to take either 

course of action.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 31, 2024 /s/ Gary S. Austin 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:23-cv-01271-KES-GSA Document 15 Filed 09/03/24 Page 3 of 3