Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-cv-01241/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-cv-01241-2/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

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MIGUEL ENRIQUE DIAZ,

Plaintiff,

v.

ASSOCIATE WARDEN HURLEY, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 2:19-cv-1241 KJM KJN P

ORDER

Plaintiff is a state prisoner, proceeding without counsel. As discussed below, the 

undersigned holds the prior findings and recommendations in abeyance, while granting plaintiff 

one final extension of time in which to file a pleading and either pay the court’s filing fee or file 

an application to proceed in forma pauperis. Plaintiff is cautioned that failure to comply with this 

order will result in the September 25, 2019 findings and recommendations being forwarded to the 

district court for review and adoption. 

I. Background

On July 3, 2019, in Diaz v. Hurley, No. 2:15-cv-2083 KJM KJN P (E.D. Cal.), the court 

ordered that plaintiff’s motion for injunctive relief was more appropriately filed in a new action, 

and was assigned the instant case number. Id. (ECF No. 64 at 1). However, plaintiff was 

cautioned that in order to commence an action, he was required to file a complaint, as well as pay 

the filing fee or seek leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Id. Plaintiff was also cautioned that 

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failure to comply with the order would result in a recommendation that the newly-opened case be 

dismissed. Id. (ECF No. 64 at 2.) To date, plaintiff has not filed a complaint, paid the court’s 

filing fee, or filed an application to proceed in forma pauperis.

On July 24, 2019, plaintiff was granted 45 days in which to comply with the July 3, 2019 

order, and to reply to the July 9, 2019 response filed by special appearance. (ECF No. 6.) On 

July 25, 2019, plaintiff filed a motion pertinent to the response by special appearance, and on July 

30, 2019, he filed an exhibit. (ECF Nos. 7, 8.) Subsequently, he filed a request for extension of 

time to comply with the July 3, 2019 order, and on August 27, 2019, plaintiff was granted an 

additional fifteen days in which to comply but was warned that no further extensions of time 

would be granted. (ECF No. 12.) Fifteen days passed, and plaintiff did not comply with the July 

3, 2019 order (ECF No. 2), or otherwise respond to the court’s order.1

On September 25, 2019, the undersigned recommended that this action be dismissed 

based on plaintiff’s failure to file a complaint or otherwise comply with the July 3, 2019 order. 

On that same day, September 25, 2019, plaintiff presented to prison staff for mailing a 

motion for court-ordered physical access to the law library to comply with this court’s deadlines. 

Plaintiff states that he is on the list as a Preferred Legal User (“PLU”), but cannot physically 

access the law library due to his work hours. (ECF No. 16 at 1.) Plaintiff first complains that the 

librarians fail to ensure that all of the current books in the law library are accessible to the inmate 

population, and claims he and other disabled inmates are being denied typewriter ribbons. As a 

result, plaintiff complains he has been forced to use his own personal typewriter and supplies. 

Plaintiff also complains that the physical books and the available computer are outdated, and the 

librarians refuse to use the Inmate Welfare Fund to update them or provide supplies. Second, 

plaintiff complains that the law library is only open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays for 

all inmates including clerk workers. (ECF No. 16 at 2.) Plaintiff claims it is impossible to work 

and use his PLU status both because the hours are during his work hours and because of “the 

 

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 Although entered on the court’s docket after the court’s August 27, 2019 order, on August 26, 

2019, plaintiff signed his document styled, “Document Evidence per Fed. R. of Evid. 201, b-d . . . 

In support of Time Extension Motion (15 Days),” in which he asked the court to grant him an 

additional fifteen days in which to comply with the court’s order. (ECF No. 14.)

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outright DENIALS of updated books, computers, and supplies for inmates whose upper extremity 

disabilities physically prevent their ability to handwrite.” (ECF No. 16 at 2.) Plaintiff states he 

can no longer handwrite due to carpal tunnel syndrome and stenosyvitis of his right hand and 

thumb, and “pecks” on the typewriter. (ECF No. 16 at 2.) Plaintiff states he has had multiple 

surgeries, including two amputations, and is scheduled for another partial amputation of his right 

foot. But plaintiff does not ask “for sympathy,” only a chance to file valid civil rights complaints. 

(ECF No. 16 at 2.) Plaintiff then asks for wide-ranging relief, including that all physical law 

books be updated to current editions (to be immediately purchased); all computer books be 

updated (also purchased immediately); the Brother ML-300 typewriter and supplies be provided 

to plaintiff, including ribbons, whiteout and paper; no further retaliation against plaintiff, 

including job reassignments, cell/dorm searches, prison, dorm, wing transfers without the consent 

of the Office of the Inspector General and the Prison Law Office; Correctional Officer (“C/O”) 

Goforth be reassigned to first watch in Tower 5, and C/O Townsend be denied promotions for one 

year; that no more “blatantly false” chronos or rules violations be filed against plaintiff; that the 

court order CMF to “immediately open [the library] on Sundays;” and any other relief the court 

deems appropriate. 

Plaintiff fails to identify any specific civil rights violation or other federal claim that he 

has been attempting to research or include in any putative complaint.

II. Plaintiff’s Request for Order re Law Library Access

Plaintiff’s allegations concerning an inability to obtain adequate access to the library are 

belied by his myriad filings in this action. Indeed, his most recent typewritten motion was three 

pages single-spaced, and included appropriate citations to pertinent legal authorities. Plaintiff’s 

first 38-page filing in this case contained his 8-page single-spaced motion, with specific and 

myriad citations to appropriate governing legal authorities, including statutes and cases. (ECF 

No. 1.) On July 25, 2019, plaintiff’s 41-page filing included six pages of single-spaced text. 

(ECF No. 7.) Plaintiff has also filed multiple declarations and other exhibits in support of his 

filings. 

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Importantly, this court employs a form civil rights complaint allowing pro se prisoners to 

simply check appropriate boxes, identify the name of the defendant, and briefly state the facts 

supporting the claims alleged. Prisoners are not required to cite case law or statutes in their initial 

pleadings. In addition, plaintiff’s motion does not make clear that his access to the library is 

inadequate in light of his acknowledgment that he has been granted PLU status, but his personal 

work ethic requires him to work, and it is his work schedule that precludes him from obtaining all

the law library access he allegedly needs. Finally, court records reflect that plaintiff has filed 

multiple complaints in this district before. See Diaz v. Hurley, No. 2:15-cv-2083 GEB KJN P 

(E.D. Cal. Oct. 30, 2017) (collecting cases). 

The court is sympathetic to plaintiff’s medical issues, as well as his inability to handwrite. 

But plaintiff has had over five months to comply with the July 3, 2019 order. In addition, the 

record reflects that plaintiff has chosen to file other documents to the exclusion of preparing and 

filing a complaint as required to commence an action. Fed. R. Civ. P. 3. Moreover, plaintiff has 

wholly failed to address his failure to pay the court’s filing fee or submit a request to proceed in 

forma pauperis affidavit. Such filing has nothing to do with plaintiff’s law library access. In 

addition, plaintiff concedes he has his own personal typewriter and supplies, yet fails to explain 

why he is unable to use it to prepare the required pleading. 

Therefore, the undersigned denies plaintiff’s motion without prejudice to renewal once 

plaintiff has complied with the court’s July 3, 2019 order. In an abundance of caution, plaintiff is 

granted thirty days in which to comply with the July 3, 2019 order which specifically requires 

plaintiff 

to file a complaint that complies with the requirements of the Civil 

Rights Act, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and the Local Rules 

of Practice; . . . [and to] also submit, within thirty days from the date 

of this order, the application to proceed in forma pauperis on the form 

provided by the Clerk of Court, or the filing fee in the amount of 

$400.00. 

(ECF No. 2 at 2.) That said, the September 25, 2019 findings and recommendations are held in 

abeyance; if plaintiff fails to comply with this order, the findings and recommendations will be 

forwarded to the district court for review and adoption. 

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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s motion (ECF No. 16) is denied without prejudice;

2. Plaintiff is granted thirty days in which to file a complaint and to also submit the 

application to proceed in forma pauperis on the form provided by the Clerk of Court, or the filing 

fee in the amount of $400.00;

3. The September 25, 2019 findings and recommendations are held in abeyance; and

4. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send plaintiff the form for filing a civil rights 

complaint by a prisoner, as well as a request to proceed in forma pauperis by a prisoner.

Dated: January 10, 2020

diaz1241.ext.fin

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