Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00461/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00461-3/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

STEPHEN CLARK,

Plaintiff,

vs.

DR. KOKOR, et al., 

 Defendants.

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Case No. 1:12-cv-00461-BAM PC

ORDER PROVIDING DEFENDANTS WITH 

THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW GOOD 

CAUSE FOR FAILING TO WAIVE 

SERVICE

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Plaintiff Stephen Clark (“Plaintiff”), a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma 

pauperis, filed this civil rights action on March 27, 2012.

On September 16, 2013, the Court ordered the United States Marshal to serve process 

upon Defendants Kokor and Ugwueze in this case. The Marshal was directed to attempt to 

secure a waiver of service before attempting personal service on defendants. If a waiver of 

service was not returned by a defendant within sixty days, the Marshal was directed to effect 

personal service on the defendant in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4 of the Federal 

Rules of Civil Procedure and 28 U.S.C. § 566(c), without prepayment of costs, and to file the 

return of service with evidence of any attempt to secure a waiver of service and with evidence of 

all costs subsequently incurred in effecting personal service. 

Case 1:12-cv-00461-LJO-BAM Document 19 Filed 04/28/14 Page 1 of 3
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On March 10, 2014, the United States Marshal filed returns of service with USM-285 

forms showing charges of $127.74 for effecting personal service on Defendant Ugwueze and 

charges of $127.74 for effecting personal service of Defendant Kokor. (ECF No. 12). The forms 

show that a waiver of service form was mailed to Defendants Ugwueze and Kokor on October 

25, 2013. 

Pursuant to the Court’s order, Defendants are required to return the waivers to the United 

States Marshal and the filing of an answer or a motion does not relieve them of this obligation. 

Defendants Ugwueze and Kokor did not return waivers, which resulted in the execution of 

personal service on February 28, 2014.

Defendants Ugwueze and Kokor filed a motion to dismiss on April 25, 2014.

Rule 4 provides that “[a]n individual, corporation, or association that is subject to service 

under Rule 4(e), (f), or (h) has a duty to avoid unnecessary expenses of serving the summons.” 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(1). “If a defendant located within the United States fails, without good 

cause, to sign and return a waiver requested by a plaintiff located within the United States, the 

court must impose on the defendant . . . the expenses later incurred in making service. . . .” Fed. 

R. Civ. P. 4(d)(2)(A).

It appears that Defendants Ugwueze and Kokor were given the opportunity required by 

Rule 4(d)(1) to waive service, but they failed to return their waivers to the United States Marshal, 

although they did make an appearance in the action. The Court shall provide Defendants

Ugwueze and Kokor with the opportunity to show good cause for failing to waive service. If 

Defendants Ugwueze and Kokor either fail to respond to this order or respond but fail to show 

good cause, the costs incurred in effecting service shall be imposed. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Defendants Ugwueze and Kokor may, within thirty (30) days from the 

date of this order, show good cause for failing to waive service; and

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2. If Defendants fail to respond to this order or respond but fail to show good cause, 

the Court shall impose the costs incurred in effecting service.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 25, 2014 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:12-cv-00461-LJO-BAM Document 19 Filed 04/28/14 Page 3 of 3