Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01288/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01288-23/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Stu Sherman
Respondent
Ricardo Velasquez
Petitioner

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RICARDO VELASQUEZ,

Petitioner,

v.

STU SHERMAN.

Respondent.

Case No. 1:15-cv-01288-KES-CDB

ORDER REQUIRING ALEJANDRO 

SERRANO TO SHOW CAUSE FOR HIS 

FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR EVIDENTIARY 

HEARING AND ORDERING ALEJANDRO 

SERRANO TO APPEAR ON DECEMBER 19, 

2024, TO SHOW CAUSE WHY HE SHOULD 

NOT BE HELD IN CONTEMPT FOR 

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SUBPOENA 

TO APPEAR

(Doc. 109) 

Background

On April 12, 2024, the Court scheduled an evidentiary hearing in this matter for October 

4, 2024, at 10:30 AM in Bakersfield before Magistrate Judge Christopher D. Baker. (Doc. 102). 

In advance of the evidentiary hearing, on August 23, 2024, Petitioner Ricardo Velasquez served 

a subpoena upon Alejandro Serrano commanding him to appear and give testimony. See Exhibit 

1, attached hereto.

The Court convened for evidentiary hearing on October 4, 2024, at 10:30 AM, and Mr. 

Serrano failed to appear. Following the hearing, counsel for Petitioner requested that the Court 

issue an arrest warrant for Mr. Serrano in light of his failure to appear. Id. The Court took the 

matter under submission and directed counsel for Petitioner to undertake further reasonable 

Case 1:15-cv-01288-KES-CDB Document 119 Filed 11/04/24 Page 1 of 6
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efforts to coordinate the appearance of Mr. Serrano. Id. On October 25, 2024, Petitioner filed a 

report detailing his unsuccessful efforts following the evidentiary hearing to communicate with 

Mr. Serrano. (Doc. 112). Thereafter, at the Court’s request, the parties filed a joint report 

identifying their dates of availability to reconvene for continued evidentiary hearing.

Discussion

A. The Subpoena and Service of the Subpoena on Mr. Serrano

Where a person to be examined is not a party to the action, the witness’s attendance may 

be compelled by issuing a subpoena under Rule 45. Rule 45 of the Federal Rules of Civil 

Procedure sets out the requirements for a subpoena. Fed. R. Civ. P. 45 (a)(1)(A). 

Rule 45 requires that every subpoena must state the court from which it issued, state the 

title of the action and its civil-action number, specify to each person to whom it is directed the 

time and place set for the hearing, and set out the text of Rule 45(d) and (e). Fed. R. Civ. P. 

45(a)(1)(A)(i)-(iv).

Review of the subpoena issued here shows that it complied with the requirements of Rule 

45. The subpoena states that it is issued from the United States District Court for the Eastern 

District of California and contains the case name and number. The text of Rule 45(d) and (e) is 

included. The subpoena commands Juan Serrano to appear on October 4, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at 

the U.S. District Courthouse at 510 19th Street, Bakersfield. See Exhibit 1.

Rule 45 requires “delivering a copy to the named person.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 45(b)(1). In 

this instance, the Petitioner is a party to this action and is represented by counsel. The proof of 

service signed by counsel’s agent (investigator Victor D. Gonzalez) reflects that Mr. Serrano

was served with a copy of the subpoena in person on August 23, 2024. Id. The Court finds that 

the requirements of Rule 45 have been substantially complied with in this instance.

B. Contempt Proceedings for Non-Compliance with a Valid Subpoena

The only authority in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to sanction a nonparty to an 

action for failure to comply with a subpoena is Rule 45(g). Pennwalt Corp. v. Durand-Wayland, 

Inc., 708 F.2d 492, 494 (9th Cir. 1983). A properly issued subpoena is itself a court order and a 

party’s noncompliance may warrant contempt sanctions. Id. at 494 n.5; U.S. S.E.C. v. Hyatt, 

Case 1:15-cv-01288-KES-CDB Document 119 Filed 11/04/24 Page 2 of 6
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621 F.3d 687, 693 (7th Cir. 2010). Rule 45(g) provides that the court “may hold in contempt a 

person, who having been served, fails without adequate excuse to obey the subpoena or an order 

related to it.” Where a party is seeking to have a contempt sanction imposed against a nonparty, 

the nonparty has the right to a meaningful opportunity to be heard. Hyatt, 621 F.3d at 697-97; 

Fisher v. Marubeni Cotton Corp., 526 F.2d 1338, 1342 (8th Cir. 1975). 

Determining whether a contempt proceeding is civil or criminal is determined by 

examining the character of the relief granted. Ahearn ex rel. N.L.R.B. v. Int'l Longshore & 

Warehouse Union, Locals 21 & 4, 721 F.3d 1122, 1129 (9th Cir. 2013). Where the purpose of 

the proceeding is to compel compliance with a court order, the action is proceeding for civil 

contempt. In re D.I. Operating Co., 240 F. Supp. 672, 675 (D. Nev. 1965). “[A] court may 

impose civil contempt sanctions to (1) compel or coerce obedience to a court order, and/or (2) 

compensate the contemnor’s adversary for injuries resulting from the contemnor’s 

noncompliance.” Ahearn, 721 F.3d at 1131. There is no requirement that the contempt be willful 

and there is no good faith exception to the requirement that court orders must be obeyed. In re 

Dual-Deck Video Cassette Recorder Antitrust Litig., 10 F.3d 693, 695 (9th Cir. 1993)

“The party moving for contempt has the burden to establish by clear and convincing 

evidence that the contemnor has violated a clear and specific court order.” Forsythe v. Brown, 

281 F.R.D. 577, 587 (D. Nev. 2012) report and recommendation adopted, No. 3:10-CV-00716-

RCJ, 2012 WL 1833393 (D. Nev. May 18, 2012). “Once the moving party shows by clear and 

convincing evidence that the contemnor has violated a clear and specific court order, the burden 

shifts to the contemnor to show that he or she took every reasonable step to comply and to explain 

why compliance was not possible.” Forsythe, 281 F.R.D. at 587. 

Petitioner has established that Mr. Serrano violated a specific and definite order of the 

Court by failing to appear for the evidentiary hearing in response to the subpoena. Accordingly, 

the Court shall issue an order to show cause requiring Mr. Serrano to appear for further 

proceedings.

///

///

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Conclusion and Order

Should Mr. Serrano fail to appear for the hearing on this order to show cause, 

an arrest warrant will issue to be executed immediately by the United States Marshal. Upon 

arrest, Mr. Serrano will be brought before the Court so that the evidentiary hearing can proceed. 

Failure to appear will also result in imposition of a monetary sanction for attorney fees incurred 

by Petitioner associated with delay attendant to arrest, as well as all reasonable attorney fees 

incurred by him in obtaining any finding of contempt.

Accordingly, construing Petitioner’s request that arrest warrants be issued as an 

application for an order to show cause, it is HEREBY ORDERED:

1. Petitioner’s application for an order to show cause is GRANTED;

2. Mr. Serrano is ORDERED to appear before the undersigned on December 19, 

2024, at 11:00 a.m., United States District Court, 510 19th Street, Bakersfield, 

California, 93301, to SHOW CAUSE why he should not be held in contempt for 

his failure to comply with the subpoena and appear for evidentiary hearing; and

3. Petitioner is directed to effect service of this order on Mr. Serrano on or before

November 15, 2024, and to file proof of service of this order on or before 

November 19, 2024.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 4, 2024 ___________________ _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-01288-KES-CDB Document 119 Filed 11/04/24 Page 4 of 6
AO 88 (Rev. 02/14) Subpoena to Appear and Tc.1tlfy at a Hoarlng or Trial In a Civil Action 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

for the 

Eastern District of California E) 

Ricardo Velasquez ) 

) 

) 

) 

) 

l'/alntlff 

v, 

Stu Sherman 

Defendant 

Civil Action No, 16•CV•01288-KES-CDB 

SUBPOENA TO A'PEAR AND TESTIFY 

AT A HEARING OR TRIAL IN A CIVIL ACTION 

To: Alejandro Serrano 

(Name of person lo whom this subpoena Is directed;" ... 

YOU ARE COMMAf:IDED to appear in the United States district court at the time, date, and place set forth below 

to testify at a hearing or trial in this civil action. When you arrive, you must remain at the court until the judge or a court 

officer allows you to leave. 

Place: United Staes Courthouse 

510 19th Street, Bakersfield, California 

Courtroom No.: Magistrate Christopher D. Baker 

Date and Time: 10/04/2024 10:30 am - ------ - -----~-- - ---- - -- - - - - --------' 

You must also bring with you the following documents, electronically stored information, or objects (Joava blank If 

not applicable): 

The following provisions of Fed. R. Civ, P. 45 are attached- Rule 45(c), relating to the place ofcompliancej 

Rule 4S(d), relating to your prot~ction as a person subject to a subpoena; and Rule 45(e) and (g), relating to your duty to 

respond to this subpoena and the potential consequences of not doing so. 

Date: 08/2112024 

CLERK OF COURT 

Signature of Clerk or Deputy Clerk 

The name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number of the attorney representing (name of party) ___ ____ _ 

-,---,,_.. __ R_l_c_ard_o_V_e_la_s...:.qu_e_z _ ___ _ _ , who issues or requests this subpoena, are: 

Marc Days 

1125 T Street, Fresno, CA 93721 

marcdays@dayslawflrm.com (559) 708-4844 

Notice to the person who Issues or requc5ts this subpoena , 

If this subpoena commands the production of documents, electronically srored information, or tangible things before 

trial, a notice and a copy of the subpoena must be served on each party hi this case before it is served on the person to 

whom it is directed. Fed. R. Civ. P, 4S(a)(4). • 

Case 1:15-cv-01288-KES-CDB Document 119 Filed 11/04/24 Page 5 of 6
AO 88 (Rev. 02114) Subpoena to Appear and Testify at a Hearing or Trial in a Civil Action (page 2) 

Civil Action No. 15-cv-01288-KES-CDB 

PROOF OF SERVICE 

(This section should not be filed with the court unless required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 45.) 

I received this subpoena for (name of individual and title, if any) fr { (2'_) ~ Di2-o S ~o 

on (date) JY / 7-_?; /-2--<.f . 

~I-served the subpoena by delivering a copy to the named person as follows: {}.. ( '§"J .1-1-,,v Dl'LO 

-=-0~=-;i_'- ri..ANo 1 1/-- r 2-.. o _ 3 J;; N , l\ u ,.stl_~~ , VJ.J. ~ Li1- G1 . 

/\. {- J ~ OS° ~ on (date) C, /t 7/ z,y ; or 

0 I returned the subpoena unexecuted because: 

Unless the subpoena was issued on behalf of the United States, or one of its officers or agents, I have also 

tendered to the witness the fees for one day's attendance, and the mileage allowed by law, in the amount of 

$ 

My fees are$ for travel and $ for services, for a total of$ 0.00 

Date: 

I declare under penalty of perjury that this information is true.

1 

_Lt)_LJ,.!~- _____ 111,,.L--,,fl?_ •~ -- L.tJ Server's signature 

__ __,Vl'---'L"-'- {jp'L,a..,, ' ·=.... 9-~l\lU.:_L\Cl-, ?&Vtt1'lr I tJVts---S ~ -':p~1⁄4--.., 

Printed name and //tie 

Additional information regarding attempted service, etc.: 

Case 1:15-cv-01288-KES-CDB Document 119 Filed 11/04/24 Page 6 of 6