Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_22-cv-01391/USCOURTS-caed-2_22-cv-01391-2/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

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

AKIVA A. ISRAEL,

Plaintiff,

v.

ROBERT NEGRETE,

Defendant.

No. 2:22-cv-1391 CSK P

ORDER

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se. On June 7, 2024, defendant Dr. Robert 

Negrete was ordered to show cause, within fourteen days, why Clerk’s default should not be 

entered based on his failure to timely appear. (ECF No. 16.) On June 18, 2024, defendant’s copy 

of the order was returned by the Postal Service as “undeliverable, no mail receptacle.” On June 

27, 2024, plaintiff filed a motion styled, “Motion to Enforce Court Order,” in which plaintiff 

renewed his request to impose default judgment against defendant.1

 (ECF No. 17.) 

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 Plaintiff previously requested default judgment for a sum certain under Rule 55(b)(1). (ECF 

No. 15.) Where a plaintiff seeks “a sum certain or a sum that can be made certain by

computation” and provides an affidavit showing the amount due, the clerk must enter judgment 

for that amount and costs against a defendant who has been defaulted. Id. However, “[i]n all 

other cases, the party must apply to the court for a default judgment.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2). 

“[A] claim is not a sum certain unless no doubt remains as to the amount to which a plaintiff is 

entitled as a result of the defendant’s default.” Franchise Holding II, LLC v. Huntington Rests. 

Group, Inc., 375 F.3d 922, 928-29 (9th Cir. 2004). Here, plaintiff contends that defendant Dr.

Negrete retaliated against plaintiff in violation of the First Amendment, violated plaintiff’s right 

Case 2:22-cv-01391-TLN-CSK Document 18 Filed 07/02/24 Page 1 of 2
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As plaintiff was previously informed, entry of Clerk’s default is required before plaintiff 

may move for default judgment. (ECF No. 16.) Thus, plaintiff’s renewed motion for default 

judgment is premature and is denied without prejudice. However, because defendant Negrete 

failed to timely appear or respond to the order to show cause, the Clerk is directed to enter Clerk’s 

default. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a). After Clerk’s default is entered, plaintiff may move for default 

judgment. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2). 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s motion for default judgment (ECF No. 17) is denied without prejudice;

2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to enter Clerk’s default against defendant Negrete; 

and

3. The Clerk of the Court shall forward a copy of this order to defendant Dr. Robert 

Negrete, Government Contractor and Physical Therapist, Mule Creek State Prison, P.O. Box 

409099, Ione, California 95640. 

Dated: July 2, 2024

/1/isra1391.clk.def

to equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment, and was deliberately indifferent to 

plaintiff’s serious medical needs in violation of the Eighth Amendment. (ECF No. 1.) Thus, 

plaintiff’s claim is not for a sum certain or a sum that can be made certain by computation as 

required under Rule 55(b)(1). Rather, plaintiff must file a motion for default judgment under 

Rule 55(b)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. See Eitel v. McCool, 782 F.2d 1470, 1471 

(9th Cir. 1986) (identifying factors courts consider in exercising discretion as to the entry of 

default judgment). 

Case 2:22-cv-01391-TLN-CSK Document 18 Filed 07/02/24 Page 2 of 2