Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_04-cv-04003/USCOURTS-cand-3_04-cv-04003-1/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RUSSELL A. MERINAR, 

Plaintiff,

 v.

N. GRANNIS, et al.,

Defendants. 

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No. C 04-4003 JSW (PR)

ORDER REFERRING CASE TO

PRO SE PRISONER MEDIATION

PROGRAM AND INSTRUCTIONS

TO THE CLERK

(Docket No. 61)

Plaintiff Russell A. Merinar currently incarcerated at Folsom State Prison in

Folsom, California filed this pro se civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 regarding

the conditions of his confinement at the Correctional Training Facility. On July 26,

2005, Defendants filed a motion for summary judgment (docket no. 22). On February

21, 2006, this Court partially granted and partially denied the motion and directed

Defendants Woodford and Sinnaco to show cause why a default judgment should not be

entered against them. 

On March 1, 2006, Defendants Woodford and Sinnaco appeared and informed the

Court that a clerical error within the Office of Legal Affairs of the California Department

of Corrections and Rehabilitation resulted in the failure of that office to request that

Defendant’s counsel appear in this action on their behalf as well. See, docket numbers

46-48. As such, the Court now declines to enter a default judgment against them. On

March 30, 2007, the Court denied Defendant’s motion seeking leave to file a motion for

Case 3:04-cv-04003-JSW Document 62 Filed 05/14/07 Page 1 of 2
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reconsideration of the denial of summary judgment. 

On March 29, 2007, Plaintiff filed a motion seeking a “meeting with Defendants’

counsel” and stated that he is “willing to consider any reasonable settlement” of this case

(docket no. 61). The Court has established a Pro Se Prisoner Early Settlement Program. 

Certain prisoner civil rights cases may be referred to a neutral magistrate judge for

settlement proceedings. The proceedings consist of one or more conferences as

determined by the magistrate judge. Good cause appearing, Plaintiff’s motion is

GRANTED (docket no. 61) and the instant case will be referred to Magistrate Judge

Vadas for mediation proceedings pursuant to the Pro Se Prisoner Mediation Program. 

The proceedings shall take place within 45 days of the date this order is filed. Magistrate

Judge Vadas shall coordinate a time and date for settlement proceedings with all

interested parties and/or their representatives and, within 5 days after the conclusion of

the mediation proceedings, file with the court a report for the proceedings. The Clerk

shall mail a copy of the Court file, including a copy of this order, to Magistrate Judge

Vadas in Eureka, California. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: May 14, 2007 

 

JEFFREY S. WHITE

United States District Judge

Case 3:04-cv-04003-JSW Document 62 Filed 05/14/07 Page 2 of 2