Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_19-cv-00042/USCOURTS-ared-3_19-cv-00042-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

JONESBORO DIVISION

JIMMY JAMES PLAINTIFF 

V. CASE NO. 3:19-CV-42-KGB-BD

POTTER, et al. DEFENDANTS

INITIAL ORDER FOR PRO SE PRISONER-PLAINTIFFS

You have filed this federal civil rights lawsuit pro se, that is, without the help of a 

lawyer. There are rules and procedures that you must follow to proceed with your 

lawsuit, even though you are not a lawyer.

First: Follow All Court Rules. You must comply with the Federal Rules of Civil 

Procedure as well as Local Rules for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Copies of 

rules can be found in the prison library.

Local Rule 5.5(c)(2) explains requirements for plaintiffs, like you, who are not 

represented by a lawyer:

1. You must promptly notify the Clerk and the other parties in the case 

of any change in address. You must inform the Court if you are 

transferred from one unit to another. Notifying the Court of your 

change in address is especially important if you are released from 

custody while your lawsuit is pending. If you do not keep the Court 

informed as to your current address, your lawsuit can be dismissed.

2. You must monitor the progress of your case and prosecute the case 

diligently.

3. You must sign all pleadings and other papers filed with the Court, 

and each paper you file must include your current address.

4. If you fail to timely respond to a Court Order directing action on 

your part, the case may be dismissed, without prejudice. 

Second: Pay the Filing Fee. Every civil case filed by a prisoner - including 

this one - requires the plaintiff to pay a filing fee either at the beginning of 

the lawsuit or, if he cannot afford to pay the entire fee in a lump sum, to 

apply to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) and pay the fee in monthly 

Case 3:19-cv-00042-KGB Document 2 Filed 03/06/19 Page 1 of 3
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installments. You have not filed an application to proceed IFP or paid the 

filing fee. 

The Clerk of Court is directed to enclose an application to proceed IFP and a jail 

account information sheet along with a copy of this order. You must return a 

completed IFP application, including an accompanying affidavit and jail 

account information sheet, or pay the $400.00 filing fee within 30 days of the 

date of this order. Otherwise, the lawsuit will be dismissed.

Third: Provide Addresses for Service. All defendants must be served with the 

complaint and a summons within 90 days of the filing of a complaint. This 

includes “John/Jane Doe” defendants. Any defendant who is not served within 90 

days can be dismissed, without prejudice, from the lawsuit. It is your 

responsibility to identify and serve defendants, including “Doe” defendants. If you 

are granted IFP status, the Court will order service of process on the defendants, 

but you are responsible for providing their valid service addresses. You may send 

discovery requests, or use other means, to find valid service addresses for 

defendants.

Fourth: No Right to Appointed Counsel. This is a civil case. Unlike 

criminal cases, there is no right to have an appointed lawyer in a civil case. 

If your case proceeds to a trial, however, a lawyer may be appointed to 

assist you before trial.

Fifth: Do Not File Your Discovery Requests. Discovery requests, such as 

interrogatories and requests for documents, are not to be filed with the Court. 

Instead, discovery requests should be sent to counsel for the defendant (or directly 

to the defendant if he or she is not represented by a lawyer). No discovery should 

be sent to a defendant until after that defendant has been served with the 

complaint.

Sixth: Do Not Send Documents to Court Except in Two Situations. You may 

send documents or other evidence to the Court only if attached to a motion for 

summary judgment or in response to a motion for summary judgment; or if the 

Court orders you to send documents or other evidence.

Seventh: Provide a Witness List. If your case is set for trial, as your trial date 

approaches, you will be asked to provide a witness list. After reviewing the 

witness list, the Court will subpoena necessary witnesses.

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IT IS SO ORDERED, this 6th day of March, 2019.

___________________________________

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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