Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_15-cv-05510/USCOURTS-cand-5_15-cv-05510-3/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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Order Dismissing Unserved Defendant Nurse H. Hanter

P:\PRO-SE\EJD\CR.15\05510Contreras_4mdism-Hanter.wpd

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GABRIEL CONTRERAS,

Plaintiff,

 v.

FERNANDO TUVERA, et al., 

Defendants.

 

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No. C 15-05510 EJD (PR)

ORDER DISMISSING UNSERVED

DEFENDANT NURSE H. HANTER

Plaintiff, a state prisoner currently incarcerated at Salinas Valley State Prison

(“SVSP”) in Soledad, filed this pro se civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983

against SVSP officials. On March 10, 2016, the Court issued an order of service upon

SVSP Defendants. (Docket No. 6.) On March 30, 2016, Litigation Coordinator G. Lopez

sent a letter to the Court indicating that Defendant Nurse H. Hanter had resigned on June

2, 2015, and that attempts to contact this Defendant were unsuccessful. (Docket No. 27.) 

On April 7, 2016, the Court issued an order directing Plaintiff to file a notice providing

the Court with an accurate and current address for Defendant Nurse H. Hanter such that

the Marshal could effectuate service. (Docket No. 29.) Plaintiff was advised that if he

failed to provide the Court with the information requested within thirty days, that

Plaintiff’s claims against this Defendant would be dismissed without prejudice pursuant

Case 5:15-cv-05510-EJD Document 51 Filed 05/16/16 Page 1 of 2
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Order Dismissing Unserved Defendant Nurse H. Hanter

P:\PRO-SE\EJD\CR.15\05510Contreras_4mdism-Hanter.wpd 2

to Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. (Id. at 2.) Plaintiff has not

provided the Court with the information requested. 

 Although a plaintiff who is incarcerated and proceeding in forma pauperis may

rely on service by the Marshal, such plaintiff “may not remain silent and do nothing to

effectuate such service”; rather, “[a]t a minimum, a plaintiff should request service upon

the appropriate defendant and attempt to remedy any apparent defects of which [he] has

knowledge.” Rochon v. Dawson, 828 F.2d 1107, 1110 (5th Cir. 1987). Here, Plaintiff's

complaint has been pending for over 90 days, and thus, absent a showing of “good

cause,” is subject to dismissal without prejudice. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(m). 

Accordingly, Plaintiff’s claim against Defendant Nurse H. Hanter is DISMISSED

without prejudice. The Clerk shall terminate Defendant Nurse H. Hanter and remove this

Defendant them from the Docket.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: EDWARD J. DAVILA

 United States District Judge

5/13/2016

Case 5:15-cv-05510-EJD Document 51 Filed 05/16/16 Page 2 of 2