Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-00809/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-00809-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LAMONT SHEPARD,

Plaintiff,

v.

T. QUILLEN,

Defendant.

 /

CASE NO. 1:09-cv-00809-DLB PC

ORDER DENYING REQUEST FOR ENTRY

OF DEFAULT

(Doc. 11)

Plaintiff Lamont Shepard (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma

pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This action is proceeding

against Defendant T. Quillen for violation of the Eighth Amendment.

On January 29, 2010, Plaintiff filed a motion for default against Defendant Quillen for

failure to reply. Plaintiff contends that the Court, by order filed November 2, 2009, directed the

United States Marshal to serve Defendant Quillen within ten days, and Defendant did not file a

reply within twenty days afterwards. Plaintiff thus contends that judgment should be entered

against Defendant.

Plaintiff ignores several parts of the Court’s November 2, 2009 order. Defendant has

sixty days after being served with the summons and complaint to return a waiver of service.

(Doc. 9, Order 1:26-2:8.) Even assuming the United States Marshal notified Defendant Quillen

by November 12, 2009 of the commencement of this action, that would still give Defendant until

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March 5, 2010, to return a waiver of service. For entry of default to occur, a party must fail to

plead or otherwise defend. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55. Before this can occur, a party must first make an

appearance before this Court.

Accordingly, the Court HEREBY ORDERS that Plaintiff’s motion for entry of default,

filed January 29, 2010, is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: February 2, 2010 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

77e0d6 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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