Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_03-cv-05006/USCOURTS-caed-1_03-cv-05006-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Federal Question: Bivens Act

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 Defendant also moved for a protective order shielding her from further discovery. However, that motion

has not yet been deemed submitted. Local Rule 78-230(m).

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JAMES MICKEY,

Plaintiff,

v.

A. SKEELS, 

Defendant.

 /

CASE NO. 1:03-CV-5006-REC-SMS-P

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S RULE 56(F)

MOTION AND REQUIRING PLAINTIFF TO

FILE A RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT’S

MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

WITHIN THIRTY DAYS

(Doc. 35)

Plaintiff James Mickey (“plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma

pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Federal

Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971), which provides a remedy for violation of civil rights by

federal actors. This action is proceeding on plaintiff’s amended complaint against defendant Skeels

(“defendant”), a federal agent, for depriving him of his property without due process of law. On

June 27, 2005, defendant filed a motion for summary judgment. On July 26, 2005, pursuant to

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(f), plaintiff filed a motion seeking to postpone his opposition to

defendant’s motion pending further discovery. Defendant filed an opposition on July 29, 2005.1

Rule 56(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides as follows:

(f) When Affidavits are Unavailable. Should it appear from the affidavits of a party

opposing the motion that the party cannot for reasons stated present by affidavit facts

essential to justify the party's opposition, the court may refuse the application for

judgment or may order a continuance to permit affidavits to be obtained or

///

Case 1:03-cv-05006-REC -SMS Document 39 Filed 08/16/05 Page 1 of 2
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depositions to be taken or discovery to be had or may make such other order as is

just.

The Ninth Circuit has explained that in order to prevail on a Rule 56(f) motion, the party “must show

(1) that they have set forth in affidavit form the specific facts that they hope to elicit from further

discovery, (2) that the facts sought exist, and (3) that these sought-after facts are ‘essential’ to resist

the summary judgment motion.” State of California v. Campbell, 138 F.2d 772, 779 (9th Cir. 1998).

“In making a Rule 56(f) motion, a party opposing summary judgment ‘must make clear what

information is sought and how it would preclude summary judgment.’” Margolis v. Ryan, 140 F.3d

850, 853 (9thCir. 1998) (quoting Garrett v. City and County of San Francisco, 818 F.2d 1515, 1518

(9th Cir. 1987)). The burden is on the party seeking to conduct additional discovery to put forth

sufficient facts to show that the evidence sought exists. Volk v. D. A. Davidson & Co., 816 F.2d

1406, 1416 (9th Cir. 1987).

Plaintiff has not met his burden as the party moving for relief from responding to defendant’s

motion pending further discovery. Plaintiff’s desire to discover information that may lead him to

move for leave of court to amend his complaint does not provide a basis to avoid opposing

defendant’s pending motion for summary judgment. Further, plaintiff’s conclusory assertion that

he is in the middle of discovery is insufficient to support a Rule 56(f) motion. 

Accordingly, plaintiff’s Rule 56(f) motion, filed July 26, 2005, is HEREBY DENIED, and

plaintiff is required to file a response to defendant’s motion for summary judgment within thirty

(30) days from the date of service of this order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 16, 2005 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

icido3 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:03-cv-05006-REC -SMS Document 39 Filed 08/16/05 Page 2 of 2