Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01077/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01077-3/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

JOAQUIN GUERRA,

Plaintiff,

v.

KERN COUNTY SHERIFF’S 

DEPARTMENT, et al.,

Defendants.

_____________________________________/

Case No. 1:13-cv-01077-AWI-BAM PC

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR 

ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENA DUCES 

TECUM WITHOUT PREJUDICE AS 

PREMATURE

(ECF No. 12)

Plaintiff Joaquin Guerra, a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, filed 

this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 on July 15, 2013. On June 10, 2014, the Court 

dismissed Plaintiff’s complaint with leave to amend. (ECF No. 10.) Plaintiff filed an amended 

complaint on July 7, 2014. (ECF No. 11.) 

On August 4, 2014, Plaintiff filed a motion for a court order directing service of a

subpoena duces tecum on the Kern County Sheriff’s Department. (ECF No. 12.) Plaintiff’s 

motion requesting service of a subpoena duces tecum is premature. 

The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a 

governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). 

Plaintiff’s complaint, or any portion thereof, is subject to dismissal if it is frivolous or malicious, if 

it fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or if it seeks monetary relief from a 

Case 1:13-cv-01077-AWI-BAM Document 15 Filed 08/07/14 Page 1 of 2
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defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1), (2); 28 U.S.C. § 

1915(e)(2)(B)(ii). The Court has not screened Plaintiff’s first amended complaint to determine 

whether it is subject to dismissal or whether the action should proceed to discovery on Plaintiff’s 

claims. As discovery has not been opened in this matter, Plaintiff’s motion seeking service of a 

subpoena duces tecum is premature and is DENIED without prejudice. The Court will screen 

Plaintiff’s first amended complaint in due course. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 7, 2014 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:13-cv-01077-AWI-BAM Document 15 Filed 08/07/14 Page 2 of 2