Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01384/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01384-0/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOHN McFARLAND and

OTIS HARRIS,

Plaintiffs,

v.

B. ELLIS, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

CASE NO. 1:06-CV-00212 OWW SMS P

ORDER SEVERING PLAINTIFF HARRIS’S

CLAIMS FROM PLAINTIFF McFARLAND’S

CLAIMS, AND DIRECTING CLERK TO

OPEN NEW ACTION FOR PLAINTIFF

HARRIS

ORDER REQUIRING PLAINTIFF HARRIS TO

FILE AMENDED COMPLAINT AND EITHER

SUBMIT FILING FEE IN FULL OR FILE

APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN FORMA

PAUPERIS, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS 

Plaintiff John McFarland and Otis Harris are federal prisoners proceeding pro se in this civil

action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc-1, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act

of 2000 (“RLUIPA”). Plaintiffs filed this action on February 24, 2006. 

After reviewing the record in this action, the court has determined that each plaintiff should

proceed separately on his own claims. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provide “parties may

be dropped or added by order of the court on motion of any party or of its own initiative at any stage

of the action and on such terms as are just. Any claim against a party may be severed and proceeded

with separately.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 21. Courts have broad discretion regarding severance. See Davis

v. Mason County, 927 F.2d 1473, 1479 (9th Cir. 1991).

In the instant action, both plaintiffs were incarcerated at the Taft Correctional Institution

when they filed suit. Plaintiff Harris is now incarcerated at United States Penitentiary-Lompoc.

(Doc. 6.) In the court’s experience, an action brought by multiple plaintiffs proceeding pro se in

Case 1:06-cv-01384-FRZ Document 2 Filed 10/05/06 Page 1 of 3
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which one or more of the plaintiffs is incarcerated presents procedural problems that cause delay and

confusion. Delay often arises from the frequent transfer of inmates to other facilities or institutions,

the changes in address that occur when inmates are released on parole, and the difficulties faced by

inmates who attempt to communicate with each other and other unincarcerated individuals. In this

case, both plaintiff are incarcerated and are now housed at separate facilities. The need for the

parties to agree on all filings made in this action and the need for all filings to contain the original

signatures of both parties will lead to delay and confusion.

Accordingly, the court shall order plaintiffs’ claims severed. Plaintiff McFarland will

proceed in this action, while plaintiff Harris will proceed in a separate civil action to be opened by

the Clerk of the Court. Each plaintiff shall proceed separately and shall be solely responsible for his

own action.

The Clerk of the Court will be directed to assign the new action to the same district judge and

magistrate judge assigned to the instant action. The Clerk of the Court shall make appropriate

adjustment in the assignment of civil cases to compensate for this reassignment.

Since the claims of plaintiff Harris will be severed, plaintiff Harris shall file an amended

complaint setting forth his own separate claims. Further, plaintiff Harris shall either pay the $250.00

filing fee in full or file an application to proceed in forma pauperis. If plaintiff Harris wishes to

voluntarily dismiss his action, he must notify the court within thirty days from the date of service of

this order.

Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff McFarland shall proceed as the sole plaintiff in case number 1:06-CV-00212

OWW SMS P;

2. The claims of plaintiff Harris are severed from the claims of plaintiff McFarland;

3. The Clerk of the Court is directed to:

a. Open a separate civil action for plaintiff Harris;

b. Assign the new action to the district judge and magistrate judge to whom the

instant case is assigned and make appropriate adjustment in the assignment

of civil cases to compensate for such assignment;

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c. File and docket a copy of this order in the new action opened for plaintiff

Harris;

d. Place a copy of the complaint filed on February 24, 2006, in this action in the

new action opened for plaintiff Harris; and

e. Send plaintiff Harris an endorsed copy of the complaint filed February 24,

2006, bearing the case number assigned to his own individual action;

4. The Clerk of the Court shall send plaintiff Harris an application to proceed in forma

pauperis;

5. Within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order, plaintiff Harris shall

file an amended complaint bearing his new case number and either pay the filing fee

in full or submit a completed application to proceed in forma pauperis bearing his

new case number;

6. In the alternative, if plaintiff Harris wishes to dismiss his action, he must so notify

the court within thirty (30) days f rom the date of service of this order; and

7. Failure to comply with this order will result in a recommendations that the action be

dismissed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 4, 2006 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

i0d3h8 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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