Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-00376/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-00376-6/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BENJAMIN JUSTIN BROWNLEE

Plaintiff,

v.

J. BURNES, M. RIVERA, P. 

RODRIGUEZ, and J.J. FLORES,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:23-cv-00376-HBK (PC)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR 

EXTENSION OF TIME

(Doc. No. 32)

ORDER REFERRING CASE TO EARLY ADR 

ORDER DIRECTING CLERK TO STAY 

CASE UNTIL FURTHER ORDER OF COURT

DEADLINE TO OPT OUT DUE BY: 

JUNE 11, 2024

Plaintiff Benjamin Justin Brownlee is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma 

pauperis on his First Amended Complaint brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Doc. No. 18). 

As set forth in the Court’s October 18, 2023 Findings and Recommendation, Plaintiff’s First 

Amended Complaint stated cognizable Eighth Amendment excessive use of force claims against 

Defendants Burnes, Rivera, Rodriguez, and Flores; Eighth Amendment sexual assault claims 

against Defendants Rivera and Rodriguez; and an Eighth Amendment failure to intervene claim 

against Defendant Flores. (Doc. Nos. 21, 23) Defendants seek an extension of time within which 

to file a response to the First Amended Complaint. (Doc. No. 32). 

Case 1:23-cv-00376-JLT-HBK Document 33 Filed 03/11/24 Page 1 of 3
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The Court refers all civil rights cases filed by pro se individuals to early Alternative 

Dispute Resolution (ADR) to try to resolve such cases more expeditiously and less expensively. 

See also Local Rule 270. In appropriate cases, defense counsel from the California Attorney

General’s Office have agreed to participate in early ADR. No claims, defenses, or objections are 

waived by the parties’ participation. 

Attempting to resolve this matter early through settlement now would save the parties the 

time and expense of engaging in lengthy and costly discovery and preparing substantive 

dispositive motions. The Court therefore will STAY this action for 90 DAYS to allow the parties 

an opportunity to investigate Plaintiff’s claims, meet and confer, and engage in settlement 

discussions, or agree to participate in an early settlement conference conducted by a magistrate 

judge. If after investigating Plaintiff’s claims and meeting and conferring, either party finds that a 

settlement conference would be a waste of resources, the party may opt out of the early settlement 

conference. 

Accordingly, it is ORDERED:

1. This action will remain STAYED until further order to allow the parties an 

opportunity to settle their dispute. Defendants’ motion for extension of time (Doc. No. 32) is 

GRANTED to the extent that Defendants may, but are not required, to file a response to the 

operative complaint during the stay. The parties may not file other pleadings or motions during 

the stay period. Further, the parties shall not engage in formal discovery until the Court issues a 

Scheduling and Discovery Order.

2. Within 90 days from the date on this Order, or no later than June 11, 2024, the 

parties shall file a notice if they object to proceeding to an early settlement conference or if they 

believe that settlement is not currently achievable. 

3. If neither party has opted out of settlement by the expiration of the objection 

period, the Court will assign this matter by separate Order to a United States Magistrate Judge, 

other than the undersigned, for conducting the settlement conference. 

4. If the parties reach a settlement prior to the settlement conference, they SHALL 

file a Notice of Settlement as required by Local Rule 160.

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5. The Clerk of Court shall STAY THIS ACTION for all purposes until further 

order by this Court.

Dated: March 11, 2024 

HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:23-cv-00376-JLT-HBK Document 33 Filed 03/11/24 Page 3 of 3