Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01821/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01821-7/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

JEREMY PINSON,

Plaintiff,

v.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS, et 

al.,

Defendants.

1:13-cv-01821-AWI-MJS (PC)

ORDER (1) GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S 

MOTION TO EXTEND TIME TO SUBMIT 

SERVICE DOCUMENTS, (2) GRANTING 

PLAINTIFF’S REQUEST FOR USM-285 

FORM, AND (3) DENYING PLAINTIFF’S 

REQUEST REGARDING 28 C.F.R. § 540.18

(Document # 42)

CLERK’S OFFICE TO SEND PLAINTIFF 

ONE USM-285 FORM

21-DAY DEADLINE

Plaintiff is a prisoner proceeding pro se in a civil rights action pursuant to 42 

U.S.C. ' 1983. On January 20, 2015, plaintiff filed a motion to extend time to submit 

service documents. Plaintiff also requested that the Clerk’s Office send Plaintiff an 

additional USM-285 form. Finally, he asks that “the Clerk be instructed to follow 28 C.F.R 

540.18.” 

Plaintiff has presented good cause for an extension of time and his request will be 

granted. He also will be sent an additional USM-285 form. 

However, the Court will not instruct the Clerk’s Office to “follow 28 C.F.R. 540.18.” 

As an initial matter, Plaintiff’s reference to 28 C.F.R. § 540.18 appears to be incorrect, as 

Case 1:13-cv-01821-AWI-MJS Document 43 Filed 01/21/15 Page 1 of 2
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the provision applies generally to “special mail.” 28 C.F.R. § 540.19 is the provision 

applicable to legal mail. It requires institutional staff to follow special procedures with 

respect to mail from courts or attorneys. 28 C.F.R. § 540.19(a). Inmates are responsible 

for advising attorneys to mark legal mail as special mail. 28 C.F.R. § 540.19(b). There is 

no requirement that courts so mark legal mail. The notation on the envelope indicating 

that correspondence is from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of 

California is sufficient to advise institutional staff that the correspondence constitutes 

legal mail.

Based on the foregoing, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff is granted twenty-one (21) days from the date of service of this 

order in which to submit service documents;

2. The Clerk’s Office is directed to send Plaintiff one USM-285 form; and

3. Plaintiff’s request that the Clerk’s Office be directed to “follow 28 C.F.R. 

540.18” is denied.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 21, 2015 /s/Michael J. Seng 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

 

Case 1:13-cv-01821-AWI-MJS Document 43 Filed 01/21/15 Page 2 of 2