Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_16-cv-02347/USCOURTS-cand-3_16-cv-02347-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal- Civil Rights Act

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TIFFANY DE PAZ, ET AL.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

COUNTY OF SONOMA, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 4:16-cv-02347-KAW 

ORDER CONTINUING 11/15/16 CASE 

MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE; 

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE TO 

TIFFANY DE PAZ

Plaintiffs Tiffany De Paz, individually and as guardian ad litem for her minor children, and 

her four children filed a lawsuit against Sonoma County and California Forensic Medical Group 

alleging wrongful death and civil rights violations, which was subsequently removed to federal 

court.

The Court previously continued the August 2, 2016 case management conference to 

November 15, 2016, because Plaintiffs failed to file a case management conference statement. 

(See Dkt. No. 14.) Plaintiffs have again failed to file a case management conference statement.

Accordingly, the Court continues the November 15, 2016 case management conference to 

March 7, 2017 in Courtroom 4, 3rd Floor, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, California. Separate case 

management conference statements are due by February 28, 2017.

Plaintiffs are advised that a guardian ad litem cannot represent a child without retaining a 

lawyer. Johns v. Cty. of San Diego, 114 F.3d 874, 876 (9th Cir. 1997). Thus, Tiffany De Paz will 

have to obtain counsel to prosecute any claims on behalf of her minor children. Should Plaintiffs 

wish to prosecute the action at this time, they shall obtain counsel and file a notice of appearance 

on or before February 28, 2017. The failure to timely retain counsel will result in the dismissal of 

the minors’ claims without prejudice. Id.

Case 3:16-cv-02347-EMC Document 17 Filed 11/10/16 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

Accordingly, Plaintiffs may wish to contact the Federal Pro Bono Project’s Help Desk—a 

free service for pro se litigants— for guidance on how to proceed by calling (415) 782-8982. 

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

Finally, Plaintiff Tiffany De Paz is ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE by December 15, 2016 

why the case should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute, as she has failed to file two case 

management conference statements, failed to participate in the ADR phone conference, and 

apparently failed to serve the complaint on Defendant California Forensic Medical Group, Inc., 

which has not appeared. Mrs. De Paz shall also inform the Court as to whether she intends to 

prosecute this action. She is advised to seek assistance from the Help Desk prior to filing her 

response to the order to show cause to ensure that she understands the impact of her decisions, and 

is properly responding to this order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 10, 2016

__________________________________

KANDIS A. WESTMORE

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 3:16-cv-02347-EMC Document 17 Filed 11/10/16 Page 2 of 2