U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Instructions to a Non−Prisoner Pro Se Plaintiff

Your suit MOATES V. HOLT ET AL was filed on 6/16/2022 and has been assigned to the Honorable Reed O

Connor, case number 4:22−cv−00526−O−BP.

These instructions do not include everything you need to know to pursue your case, but following them may help

you avoid common mistakes that can result in delay or other consequences−including dismissal of your case.

Filing Procedures − The Local Civil Rules include the following requirements:

After you have filed your complaint, unless you are excused for cause or the presiding judge

directs otherwise, you must:

register as an Electronic Case Files (ECF) user within 14 days (you may register online

via our website at www.txnd.uscourts.gov), and

◊ 

file any pleading, motion, or other paper electronically. (Electronic filing is not permitted

in a case assigned to the docket of U.S. District Judge John H. McBryde.)

◊ 

♦ 

You must submit a judge's copy (a paper copy) of any document you file, even if you filed the

original electronically.

If you electronically file a document, follow the procedures set forth in the ECF

Administrative Procedures Manual to provide the judge with the judge's copy.

◊ 

If you file a document on paper and want a file−stamped copy returned to you, submit

the original, the judge's copy, and an extra copy to be returned to you, and provide a

self−addressed, postage−paid envelope. The clerk cannot make an extra copy for you

unless you first pay a fee of 50 cents per page.

◊ 

♦ 

You must type or legibly handwrite your documents on one side of numbered pages. Any exhibit

or discovery material attached to the filing must be referred to in the filing. Any exhibit or

discovery material not referred to in your filing or not attached to your filing may be returned to

you.

♦ 

1. 

Address Change − You must notify the Court if your address changes, or your case may be dismissed. If

you are an ECF user, follow the procedures in the ECF Administrative Procedures Manual to update your

address. If you are not an ECF user, promptly file a written change of address notice in your case.

2. 

Rules to Follow − You must read and follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP), this court's

Local Civil Rules, and the orders entered by a judge in your case.

3. 

Request for Attorney − In a civil case, you generally are not entitled to a court−appointed attorney to

represent you without cost to you. If you request a court−appointed attorney, a judge will decide whether

to appoint an attorney depending on the circumstances of the case. Even if the court decides to appoint an

attorney, the attorney cannot be forced to accept the appointment. You may call the Lawyer Referral

Service of the State Bar of Texas at (800) 252−9690 for assistance in securing the services of a private

attorney to represent you for a fee.

4. 

Initial Case Review − If the Court grants leave to proceed in forma pauperis, service of process will be

withheld pending review of your complaint, and your complaint may be dismissed pursuant to 28 U.S.C.

§ 1915(e)(2).

5. 

Copies to Defendant − After a defendant has been served your complaint in compliance with FRCP 4,

you must serve a copy of any other document you file upon the defendant's attorney (or upon the

defendant, if the defendant is pro se) as required by FRCP 5. If you and the opposing side are both ECF

users, the ECF system will complete service for you, and a Certificate of Service is not required. If either

of you is not an ECF user, or if you learn that service sent through ECF did not reach the person, you

must serve the document by other means and include a Certificate of Service or file one within a

reasonable time after service. Sample language for a Certificate of Service is:

6. 

Case 4:22-cv-00526-O-BP Document 5 Filed 06/16/22 Page 1 of 2 PageID 34
On (Date) I filed (the "foregoing document" or Document Name) with the clerk of court for the

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas. I hereby certify that I have served the document

on all counsel and/or pro se parties of record by a manner authorized by Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure 5 (b)(2).

Signature

♦ 

Discovery Materials − Do not file discovery materials with the clerk. If you file a motion to compel

discovery, you may attach only the portions of discovery that are relevant to your motion.

7. 

Questions About Your Case − The court's website at www.txnd.uscourts.gov provides valuable

information. Do not write letters to the judge asking questions about your case − all communication with

the judge should be through filings. Do not write letters to the clerk asking for instructions on how to

handle your case, since the clerk is prohibited from giving legal advice.

8. 

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