Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_07-cv-01352/USCOURTS-casd-3_07-cv-01352-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ADRIANNE SMITH, as an individual and

on behalf of all others similarly situated,,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 07cv1352-LAB (BLM)

ORDER REJECTING LATE

FILING FEE

vs.

KRAFT FOODS, INC., a Virginia

corporation,

Defendant.

On August 1, 2007, Harold M. Hewell, Esq. filed a purported federal Class Action

Fairness Act Complaint seeking injunctive relief, restitution, and damages from defendant

Kraft Foods, Inc. alleging, inter alia, unfair business practices, false and misleading

advertising, misrepresentation, breach of warranty, violations of the California Consumer

Legal Remedies Act, and unjust enrichment associated with certain of Kraft's product

labeling practices. Summons issued the same day. On August 22, 2007, the Financial

Department of this court notified Mr. Hewell by letter that his personal check in the amount

of $350.00 tendered as the filing fee for the Complaint had been returned by the bank due

to insufficient funds, instructed him the court would accept in future from him only cashier's

checks or money orders, and requested he provide such payment directed to the Clerk of

Court at the address provided in the letter. Dkt No. 3. As no further activity in the case

appeared from the docket, the undersigned District Judge dismissed this case in its entirety,

without prejudice, by Order entered October 17, 2007 on grounds no action had been

technically commenced. Dkt No. 4.

On October 29, 2007, counsel attempted to pay the filing fee. The Clerk's Office

contacted chambers and was instructed not to accept the filing fee until counsel obtained

Case 3:07-cv-01352-LAB-BLM Document 6 Filed 10/31/07 Page 1 of 2
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relief from the dismissal Order. Mr. Hewell called chambers to inquire about the options for

paying the filing fee and was instructed either to seek relief from the termination Order or to

refile the action as a new case. He indicated he would take the latter option as the most

expedient course of action. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing events, the docket reflects payment of the civil filing fee

was accepted on October 29, 2007. Dkt No. 5. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED the Clerk of

Court shall not reactivate this terminated action without the court's entering an Order

relieving plaintiff from the dismissal. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED the Clerk of Court shall

refund to counsel the filing fee portion of the funds accepted on October 29, 2007. IT IS

FURTHER ORDERED plaintiff may either file a new action accompanied by the civil filing

fee or seek leave of court for relief from the dismissal and for leave to belatedly pay the filing

fee in this action.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: October 30, 2007

HONORABLE LARRY ALAN BURNS

United States District Judge

Case 3:07-cv-01352-LAB-BLM Document 6 Filed 10/31/07 Page 2 of 2