Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_21-cv-00600/USCOURTS-caed-1_21-cv-00600-7/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RODERICK WILLIAM LEAR,

Plaintiff,

v.

NAVARRO, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:21-cv-00600-JLT-BAM (PC)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S REQUEST 

TO OPT OUT OF ADR SETTLEMENT 

CONFERENCE

(ECF No. 28)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S REQUEST 

TO KEEP IFP STATUS AS MOOT

(ECF No. 31)

Plaintiff Roderick William Lear (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in 

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

against Defendants Navarro, Neve, Allison, and John Doe 1 for excessive force in violation of the 

Eighth Amendment, arising from the incident on January 4, 2020.

On December 7, 2021, the Court identified this case as an appropriate case for the postscreening ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) project, and stayed the action to allow the 

parties an opportunity to settle their dispute before the discovery process begins. (ECF No. 26.) 

The Court’s order granted Defendants time to investigate and determine whether to opt out of the 

post-screening ADR project. The settlement conference is currently set for February 8, 2022 at 

1:30 p.m. before Magistrate Judge Stanley A. Boone. (Id.)

On December 20, 2021, Plaintiff filed a request to opt out of the settlement conference. 

(ECF No. 28.) Plaintiff argues that Defendants and their attorney contend that Plaintiff is not 

Case 1:21-cv-00600-KES-BAM Document 33 Filed 01/11/22 Page 1 of 2
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telling the truth about his claims. Plaintiff states that it is impossible for the parties to settle if 

Defendants contend he is lying, and Plaintiff therefore believes it would be a waste of resources 

to conduct any settlement talks until at least the facts of this case are established. (Id.) 

Defendants have not filed a response to Plaintiff’s request, and the deadline for Defendants to file 

their own request to opt out of the settlement conference has expired. Therefore, it appears 

Defendants remain willing to attend a settlement conference, and the Court finds that it would be 

useful to attempt a settlement between the parties at this time. Plaintiff’s request is denied, and 

the February 8, 2022 settlement conference before Judge Boone will proceed as scheduled.

Plaintiff also filed a request to keep IFP status on January 7, 2022. (ECF No. 31.) 

Plaintiff states that he has paid his filing fees for this action, but requests that he be permitted to 

continue to proceed in forma pauperis and that the Court not revoke his IFP status. (Id.) 

Defendants have not had an opportunity to respond to Plaintiff’s request, but the Court finds a 

response unnecessary and the motion is deemed submitted. Local Rule 230(l).

Plaintiff’s request is denied as moot. Although Plaintiff states that he has paid the filing 

fee in full for this action, this does not mean that his in forma pauperis status is revoked. Plaintiff 

will continue to proceed in forma pauperis in this case unless or until some other information 

comes to the Court’s attention that might warrant revocation. The fact that Plaintiff has 

apparently finished paying the filing fee for this action, alone, does not warrant revocation of 

Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis status.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED as follows:

1. Plaintiff’s request to opt out of settlement conference, (ECF No. 28), is DENIED; and

2. Plaintiff’s request to keep in forma pauperis status, (ECF No. 31), is DENIED as moot.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 11, 2022 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:21-cv-00600-KES-BAM Document 33 Filed 01/11/22 Page 2 of 2