Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_17-cv-00588/USCOURTS-casd-3_17-cv-00588-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983bv Bivens Non-Prisoner

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17cv588-WQH-MDD

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

PAMELA T. JOHNSON,

Plaintiff,

v.

SHERIFF WILLIAM DAVID 

GORE

Defendant.

Case No.: 17cv588-WQH-MDD

ORDER

HAYES, Judge:

On January 18, 2019, the Court issued an Order determining that Plaintiff had failed 

to provide sufficient proof of service pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(e). 

(ECF No. 21). The Order further states:

Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m), the Court will allow 

Plaintiff sixty (60) days from date of this order to file either (1) proof that 

service of the summons and complaint was timely effectuated or (2) a 

declaration under penalty of perjury showing good cause for failure to timely 

effect service upon the Defendant accompanied by a motion for leave to serve 

process outside of the 90-day period. If no cause is shown, the Court will 

dismiss this case without prejudice. 

Id. 

Case 3:17-cv-00588-WQH-MDD Document 24 Filed 02/07/18 PageID.<pageID> Page 1 of 2
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17cv588-WQH-MDD

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On January 31, 2018, Plaintiff filed a motion for leave to serve process outside of 

the 90-day period. (ECF No. 23). Plaintiff states that she has good cause for the motion 

because she is “a pro se litigant who is not an attorney” and has “limited knowledge of the 

law and the court system.” Id. Plaintiff requests the opportunity to comply with Federal 

Rule of Civil Procedure 4(e) through service by mail. Id.

Pursuant to Rule 4(m),

If a defendant is not served within 90 days after the complaint is filed, the 

court--on motion or on its own after notice to the plaintiff--must dismiss the 

action without prejudice against that defendant or order that service be made 

within a specified time. But if the plaintiff shows good cause for the failure, 

the court must extend the time for service for an appropriate period.

Fed. R. Civ. P. 4. The Court concludes that Plaintiff has demonstrated good cause for 

failure to serve Defendant within the 90-day period. Accordingly, the Court will allow 

Plaintiff an extension of time to effectuate service. 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERD that Plaintiff’s motion for leave to serve process outside 

the 90-day period is GRANTED. (ECF No. 23). Plaintiff shall, within sixty days of the 

date this Order is issued, file proof that service of the summons and complaint has been 

effectuated. If Plaintiff fails to file proof of service within this time period, the Court will 

dismiss this case without prejudice. 

Dated: February 7, 2018

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