Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-01233/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-01233-12/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

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GERALD L. MILLER, JR.

CDCR #C-92075

Plaintiff,

v.

O. RUFION; MOONGA, R.N.,

Defendants.

 

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Civil No. 08-1233 BTM (WMc)

ORDER: (1) GRANTING REQUEST

FOR LEAVE TO TAKE DEPOSITIONS

AND (2) ORDERING SERVICE OF

RECORDS SUBPOENA

[Doc. Nos. 38 and 39.]

I. 

INTRODUCTION

On January 27, 2010, Plaintiff filed: (1) a motion for leave to take the depositions of G. Moonga and

O. Rufion [Doc. No. 38]; and (2) a motion for an order directing service of a records subpoena on Daniel

F. Muff-DDS M.D. [Doc. No. 39]. 

Defendants have failed to file any opposition or objection to the motions. The Court has considered

Plaintiff’s motion and accompanying documentation. For the reasons set forth below, the Court GRANTS

Plaintiff’s motion request for depositions and GRANTS the motion directing service of subpoena.

II.

DISCUSSION

A. Deposition Request

A party who wants to depose a person must give reasonable written notice to every other party. The

notice must state the date and time of the deposition and, if known, the deponent’s name and address. Fed.

R. Civ. P. 30(b)(1). Unless the court orders otherwise, deposition testimony may be recorded by audio,

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audiovisual, or stenographic means. The noticing party bears the recording costs. Fed. R. Civ. P.

30(b)(3)(A). Additionally, unless the parties stipulate otherwise, a deposition must be conducted before an

officer appointed or designated under Rule 28. Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(b)(5)(A). The officer must be (1)

authorized to administer oaths either by federal law or by the law in the place of examination, or (2) a person

appointed by the court where the action is pending to administer oaths and take testimony. Fed. R. Civ. P.

28(a)(1). The officer must meet certain qualifications. A person who is an attorney for any of the parties

may not administer the oath. Fed. R. Civ. P. 28(a)(c). 

Defendants’ testimonyregarding the incident is likelyto lead to the discoveryof admissible evidence

in Plaintiff’s case. Accordingly, Plaintiff should be given the opportunity to depose Defendants. Because

Plaintiff is a prisoner, the cooperation of prison officials and the Deputy Attorney General is required. 

Accordingly, Plaintiff is GRANTED leave to depose G. Moonga and O. Rufion in compliance with the

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Plaintiff is reminded that a party who wants to depose a person must give

reasonable written notice to every other party. Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(b)(1).

B. Subpoena Request

Plaintiff is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis withe a Complaint brought pursuant to 42

U.S.C. section 1983. He requests the issuance of one civil subpoena for his medical records and x-rays. 

As plaintiff is seeking his own medical records, no privacy interest should be implicated. The Court

finds Plaintiff’s request reasonable and GRANTS Plaintiff’s motion.

III. 

CONCLUSION AND ORDER THEREON

For the reasons articulated above, the Plaintiff’s motions are GRANTED. Accordingly, the

Court ORDERS as follows:

1. The Clerk of Court shall forward to Plaintiff a subpoena duces tecum form, U.S. Marshal 285

form, and a copy of this Order.

2. Upon receipt of a properly completed U.S. Marshal 285 form and accompanying subpoena,

the U.S. Marshal is directed to promptly effect service of the Plaintiff’s subpoena duces tecum.

3. Plaintiff is advised that any fees required for service of subpoenas for documents on nonparties pursuant to Rule 45 are not waived based on Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis status. See Tedder v.

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Odel, 890 F.2d 210, 211-12 (9 Cir. 1989). Plaintiff is responsible for paying all costs associated with th

the subpoenas and depositions. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: May 10, 2010

Hon. William McCurine, Jr.

U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court

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