Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00994/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00994-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

THE ESTATE OF JASON ALDERMAN, 

JUDY EDENS, A.K, AND S.A.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

CITY OF BAKERSFIELD, 

BAKERSFIELD POLICE 

DEPARTMENT, OFFICER CHAD 

GARRETT, and OFFICER RICK 

WIMBISH,

Defendants.

No. 1:16-cv-00994-DAD-JLT

ORDER FOR APPOINTMENT OF 

GUARDIAN AD LITEM

(Doc. No. 17)

On March 21, 2016, petitioner Stephanie Elliott filed a petition to be appointed guardian 

ad litem for plaintiff S.A. for purposes of this action. (Doc. No. 17.)

“District courts have a special duty, derived from Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 17(c), 

to safeguard the interests of litigants who are minors.” Robidoux v. Rosengren, 638 F.3d 1177, 

1181 (9th Cir. 2011). Rule 17 provides that “[t]he court must appoint a guardian ad litem—or 

issue another appropriate order—to protect a minor or incompetent person who is unrepresented 

in an action.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c)(2). Local Rule 202(a) of this court further states, in pertinent 

part: 

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Case 1:16-cv-00994-DAD-JLT Document 20 Filed 10/18/16 Page 1 of 2
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Upon commencement of an action or upon initial appearance in 

defense of an action by or on behalf of a minor . . . the attorney 

representing the minor or incompetent person shall present . . . a

motion for the appointment of a guardian ad litem by the Court, or

. . . a showing satisfactory to the Court that no such appointment is 

necessary to ensure adequate representation of the minor or 

incompetent person. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 17(c).

The decision to appoint a guardian ad litem “must normally be left to the sound discretion of the 

trial court.” United States v. 30.64 Acres of Land, 795 F.2d 796, 804 (9th Cir. 1986).

Petitioner Stephanie Elliott petitions the court to appoint her as guardian ad litem to her 

minor child, plaintiff S.A. Plaintiff S.A. is a minor, born September 28, 2009. Petitioner states 

that she is the mother to plaintiff S.A., and that she will represent and protect the interests of 

plaintiff S.A. Finding good cause, the court grants the petition (Doc. No. 17) and appoints 

Stephanie Elliott guardian ad litem of S.A., a minor and plaintiff to this action.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 17, 2016 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-00994-DAD-JLT Document 20 Filed 10/18/16 Page 2 of 2