Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_03-cv-06700/USCOURTS-caed-1_03-cv-06700-27/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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U N ITED STATES DISTRICT COU RT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GARY B. MEEKS,

Plaintiff,

v.

PARSONS,

Defendant.

 /

CASE NO. 1:03-cv-06700-LJO-GSA PC

ORDER PERMITTING PLAINTIFF

TO WEAR CIVILIAN CLOTHES AT TRIAL

(Doc. 130)

Plaintiff Gary B. Meeks (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma

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

On October 20, 2009, Plaintiff filed a motion for issuance of writ of habeas corpus ad

testificandum to allow his attendance at trial. (Doc. 130.) In that motion, Plaintiff requested to be

permitted to wear civilian clothes at the trial of this case. (Doc. 130, pp. 4:11-28, 5:1-6.) Defendant

has opposed neither the motion for Plaintiff to attend, nor his request to wear civilian clothes at the

trial. 

It has long been held “that an accused should not be compelled to go to trial in prison or jail

clothing because of the possible impairment of the presumption so basic to the adversary system.” 

Estelle v. Williams, 425 U.S. 501, 504-505 (1976) (citations omitted). “This is a recognition that the

constant reminder of the accused’s condition implicit in such distinctive, identifiable attire may

affect a juror’s judgment. The defendant’s clothing is so likely to be a continuing influence

throughout the trial that . . . an unacceptable risk is presented of impermissible factors coming into

play.” Id. citing Turner v. Louisia, 379 U.S. 466, 473 (1965). While the cases addressing the undue

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influence of a party wearing civilian clothes, as opposed to jail clothing during trial, have addressed

the issue where a defendant was being tried for criminal offenses, parallels in the potential negative

affect on a juror’s judgment are easily drawn where an inmate is pursuing claims for violations of

his civil rights while incarcerated. 

Plaintiff’s request to be permitted to wear civilian clothes at the trial of this case is

GRANTED. Plaintiff’s counsel is to bring civilian clothes, for Plaintiff to wear, on the first day of

trial.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 7, 2010 /s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill 

b9ed48 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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