Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-01558/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-01558-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Federal Question: Other Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ALICE WHITE, et al., )

)

)

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Plaintiff, )

)

vs. )

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CITY OF FRESNO, et al., )

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Defendant. )

)

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No. CV-F-05-1558 OWW/NEW

(WMW)

ORDER RE PLAINTIFF DERRICK

WHITE’S REQUEST TO APPEAR AT

HEARING

Plaintiff Alice White, proceeding in pro per, commenced this

action against the City of Fresno on May 3, 2005 in the Fresno

County Superior Court. The action was removed to this Court on

December 7, 2005 because the Complaint alleged violation of

rights under the federal civil rights laws. A Scheduling Order

was filed on May 4, 2006. Pursuant to the Scheduling Order,

discovery cut-off was April 17, 2007, non-dispositive motion cutoff was May 1, 2007, and dispositive motion cut-off was May 14,

2007. 

On May 31, 2006, an Amended Complaint was filed, naming as

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Derrick White, proceeding in pro per, filed a Complaint in 1

the Fresno County Superior Court on May 3, 2005 against the City of

Fresno. The action was removed to this Court on December 7, 2005

because the Complaint alleged violations of federal civil rights

acts and assigned Case No. CV-F-05-1564 REC/WMW. A Scheduling

Order was filed on February 23, 2006. On February 28, 2006,

Defendants filed a notice of related case, stating that the case

was related to No. CV-F-05-1558. By Order filed on March 3, 2006,

the case was related and reassigned to OWW/LJO, the same

designation as in Alice White’s action. On March 16, 2006, a

minute order setting a scheduling conference for April 28, 2006 was

issued. Defendants filed a scheduling report but Derrick White did

not. No scheduling order was ever issued and that is the last

activity in the case (other than the notice of reassignment because

of Judge O’Neill’s elevation to District Judge). 

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plaintiffs Alice White and Derrick White, both proceeding in pro

per. 

1

On May 11, 2007, Defendants filed a motion for summary

judgment against both Plaintiffs, noticing the motion for hearing

on June 18, 2007. By minute order filed on June 1, 2007, the

hearing on the motion for summary judgment was continued to July

2, 2007. 

On June 1, 2007, a letter from Derrick White dated May 21,

2007 was received and filed. Derrick White’s letter states:

I’m writing to inform the Court that my wife

Alice White received a letter from the

Eastern District Court informing her of a

Declaration of 6,18,07 [sic] and I havent

[sic] received anything telling me of any

court date of 6,18,07 and my wife received

her’s [sic] over a week ago. I’m co-council

[sic] for Alice White and will be needed to

be transported over to the Federal Court

building on 6,18,07 as well as any other

pending court dates. I’ve been in the Fresno

County Jail since Jan. 17, 07 and F-C-J

refuses to allow me to go to the law library

even though I’m (in-pro-per) in my civil

action.

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It is because of this out right violation of

my rights to the law library that I was

forced to miss the cut off date for myself

and Alice White to file for discovery in this

pending legal action. I would ask that I be

given the chance to properly bring me, my

wife case before the court [sic].

Again I will be needed to be transported over

to the Federal Court building for any & all

future pending court dates.

There is no indication that Derrick White sent a copy of this

letter to counsel for Defendants. It appears that Alice White

was properly served with the Defendants’ summary judgment motion. 

Derrick White is not a licensed attorney and he cannot represent

another individual before the Court. See discussion infra. 

It appears that Mr. White is referring to service of the

motion for summary judgment. The Proof of Service accompanying

the motion states that Derrick White was served by mail “c/o 1260

‘M’ Street, Fresno County Jail, Fresno, CA 93721" on May 11,

2007. The Court notes that service by the Court on Mr. White on

February 27, 2007 at that address was returned by the Fresno

County Jail on March 13, 2007 with the notation "need booking #".

Therefore, it is possible that Derrick White was not served with

the motion for summary judgment.

Because each Plaintiff is proceeding in pro per, Plaintiffs

are advised that Rule 83-183(a), Local Rules of Practice,

provides in pertinent part:

Any individual who is representing himself or

herself without an attorney must appear

personally or by courtesy appearance by an

attorney admitted to the Bar of this Court

and may not delegate that duty to any other

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The format for an opposition to a motion for summary judgment 2

is set forth in Rule 56-260, Local Rules of Practice. 

4

individual, including husband or wife, or any

other party on the same side appearing

without an attorney. Any individual

representing himself or herself without an

attorney is bound by the Federal Rules of

Civil ... Procedure and by these Local Rules. 

All obligations placed on 'counsel' by these

Local Rules apply to individuals appearing in

propria persona. Failure to comply therewith

may be ground for dismissal ... or any other

sanction appropriate under these Rules ....

Plaintiffs are further advised that Rule 5-135(d), Local

Rules of Practice, provides:

Unless a party expressly waives service,

copies of all documents submitted to the

Court shall be served upon all parties to the

action ....

Any documents, including letters, filed with the Court will be

disregarded in the absence of an appropriate proof of service on

the other parties to the action.

Alice White has not filed an opposition to the motion for

summary judgment. Pursuant to Rule 78-230(c), Local Rules of

Practice, Alice White's opposition or statement of non-opposition 

was due to be filed by Monday, June 18, 2007. Alice White has 2

not requested a continuance of the motion for summary judgment

pursuant to Rule 56(f), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 

Because of Rule 83-183(a), Alice White cannot excuse her failure

to timely respond to Defendants’ motion because of Derrick

White’s incarceration. 

Plaintiff Derrick White, who is not a lawyer, has no right

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to be transported to Court for any pretrial hearings in this

civil action. “[I]mprisonment suspends the plaintiff’s usual

right to be personally present at judicial proceedings brought by

himself or on his behalf.” Hernandez v. Whiting, 881 F.2d 768,

770 (9 Cir.1989), citing Price v. Johnston, 334 U.S. 266, 285- th

286 (1948); see also Demoran v. Witt, 781 F.2d 155, 158 (9th

Cir.1986); McKinney v. Boyle, 447 F.2d 1091, 1094 (9 Cir.1971). th

The determination whether to issue a writ to allow a prisoner

plaintiff to participate in a court hearing rests within the

sound discretion of the district court. Price v. Johnston, id.,

at 284. Further, even though Derrick White is in pro per and

incarcerated, under the law, he is responsible for making

arrangements and payment for his transportation expenses to and

from the Federal Courthouse. Manning v. Tefft, 839 F.Supp. 126,

129-130 (D.R.I.1994).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 25, 2007 /s/ Oliver W. Wanger 

668554 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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