Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_21-cv-00929/USCOURTS-caed-1_21-cv-00929-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 560
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Civil Detainee - Conditions of Confinement
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RONALD WILLIAM WARD,

Plaintiff,

v.

S. BATRA, et al.,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:21-cv-00929-SKO (PC) 

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S 

MOTIONS TO COMPEL PRODUCTION 

OF DOCUMENTS

(Doc. 9)

Plaintiff has filed several motions to compel the production of medical records and other 

documents. (Doc. 9.) Plaintiff is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, and his complaint is 

subject to screening pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). The Court has not yet screened the 

complaint, and no defendants have appeared in this action.

As explained in the Court’s First Informational Order, (Doc. 3), a pro se plaintiff with in 

forma pauperis status may not proceed with a legal action until the Court has screened the

plaintiff’s complaint and finds that it states a cognizable claim for relief. Because Plaintiff is 

appearing pro se and in forma pauperis, his complaint is subject to screening, and he may not 

proceed with this case until the screening is complete. If the Court finds that the complaint states 

a cognizable claim for relief, it will direct service on the appropriate defendants at that time. (See 

Doc. 3 at 3.) If and when the defendants file an answer to the complaint, the Court will issue an 

order opening discovery. (Id. at 4.)

Case 1:21-cv-00929-KES-SKO Document 10 Filed 08/02/21 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

Because Plaintiff has filed his motions to compel production before any defendant has 

appeared in this action, and before the Court has opened discovery, the Court DENIES Plaintiff’s 

motions to compel, without prejudice, as premature. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 2, 2021 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto .

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:21-cv-00929-KES-SKO Document 10 Filed 08/02/21 Page 2 of 2