Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-01188/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-01188-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Federal Question: Bivens Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MATTHEW HIGGINS-VOGT,

Plaintiff,

v.

J. DOERER,

Defendant.

No. 1:24-cv-01188 GSA (PC)

ORDER DIRECTING PLAINTIFF TO SHOW 

CAUSE WHY THIS MATTER SHOULD NOT 

BE DISMISSED FOR FAILURE TO OBEY 

COURT ORDER

(See ECF No. 2)

PLAINTIFF’S SHOWING OF CAUSE, OR IN 

THE ALTERNATIVE, HIS RESPONSE TO 

COURT ORDER DUE IN THIRTY DAYS

Plaintiff, a federal inmate proceeding pro se, appears to have filed this civil rights action 

to seek 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 obey a court order. In the alternative, Plaintiff may file a 

signed complaint with the above-referenced case number on it along with a complete application 

to proceed in forma pauperis. See ECF No. 2. Plaintiff shall have thirty days to take either 

course of action.

I. RELEVANT BACKGROUND

On October 3, 2024, Plaintiff was ordered to file an application to proceed in forma 

Case 1:24-cv-01188-GSA Document 4 Filed 12/13/24 Page 1 of 3
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pauperis and a signed complaint with the case number that has been assigned to him. See ECF 

No. 2 at 9. Plaintiff has not filed a signed complaint in this matter that has the above-referenced 

case number on it, nor has not filed a complete application to proceed in forma pauperis. See 28 

U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1)-(2). The Court also notes that Plaintiff has not requested an extension of 

time to comply with the Court’s order.

II. DISCUSSION

Both the Court and the public have an interest in the disposal of cases in an expedient 

manner. See generally Hernandez v. City of El Monte, 138 F.3d 393, 399 (9th Cir. 1998) 

(presuming public has interest in expeditious litigation). Plaintiff’s failure to file a signed 

complaint with his own case number on it, and a complete application to proceed in forma 

pauperis (or pay the filing fee in full) has stalled this process and warrants the Court issuing an 

order directing him to show cause why this matter should not be dismissed for failure to obey a 

court order. As a result, an order to show cause shall issue. Plaintiff will be given thirty days to

respond to it. As an alternative to Plaintiff filing the showing of cause, within the same thirty-day 

period, Plaintiff may instead file a signed complaint with his own case number on it along with a 

complete application to proceed in forma pauperis (or pay the filing fee in full) as he was 

previously ordered to do.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Within thirty days from the date of this order Plaintiff shall SHOW CAUSE why this 

matter should not be dismissed for failure to obey a court order, and

2. As an ALTERNATIVE to filing the showing of cause, Plaintiff may file a signed 

complaint with his own case number on it, and a complete application to proceed in forma 

pauperis (or pay the filing fee in full) as he has been previously ordered to do. See ECF No. 2 ; 

see also 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1)-(2).

Plaintiff is cautioned that failure to comply with this order within the time allotted 

may result in a recommendation that this matter be dismissed.

Case 1:24-cv-01188-GSA Document 4 Filed 12/13/24 Page 2 of 3
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IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 13, 2024 /s/ Gary S. Austin 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:24-cv-01188-GSA Document 4 Filed 12/13/24 Page 3 of 3