Opinion
Case Number: 08-10432.
November 5, 2008
On October 9, 2008, Defendants, Wayne Whitman, Stephen Mahoney, Teresa Seidel, Matthew Flechter and Anne Hokanson (the "State Defendants") moved for an order staying discovery until such time as the Court renders a decision on the State Defendants' entitlement to immunity (Dkt. #68). The State Defendants also filed an October 13, 2008, motion seeking to quash a subpoena compelling Becky Beauregard's appearance for deposition and the production of documents (Dkt. #69). All pre-trial matters have been referred in accordance with the authority conferred under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) (Dkt. #63). On October 29, 2008, a hearing was held on these motions at which time all unresolved issues were addressed. For the reasons stated on the record and indicated below, the State Defendants' motions are GRANTED, and all discovery requests in this case are stayed as to these Defendants.
Plaintiffs have filed this federal civil rights law suit alleging that the State Defendants violated their constitutional rights. In turn, the State Defendants have filed, briefed and served a dispositive motion claiming that Plaintiffs' claims are barred by qualified immunity (Dkt #48). Plaintiffs are now seeking to engage in discovery proceedings before this Court has ruled on the State Defendants' dispositive motion (Dkt. #68, Ex. A, Notices of Deposition for Wayne Whitman, Steve Mahoney, Teresa Seidel, Anne Hokanson, and Matthew Flechter). The State Defendants' motion, if granted, is dispositive of the complaint. It is unreasonable to require the State Defendants to incur the burden, expense and annoyance of responding to discovery during the pendency of the motion, especially where, as here, the issue of immunity is raised.
In a suit for money damages against government officials based on their official acts, discovery should not be allowed before the threshold issue of immunity is resolved. Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818 (1982). Because qualified immunity is immunity from suit rather than a mere defense to liability, discovery should be suspended until the court has an opportunity to decide the State Defendants' dispositive motion based upon immunity. Washington v Stark, 626 F. Supp. 1149, 1152 (W.D. Mich. 1986). Accordingly, the subpoena compelling Becky Beauregard's appearance for deposition and the production of documents is quashed and discovery is stayed as to the State Defendants until such time as the Court renders a decision on the State Defendants' pending dispositive motion.
The parties to this action may object to and seek review of this Order, but are required to file any objections within ten (10) days of service of a copy hereof as provided for in 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and E.D. Mich. LR 72.1(d)(2). Any objections are required to specify the part of the Order to which the party objects and state the basis of the objection. Pursuant to E.D. Mich. LR 72.1(d)(2), a copy of any objections is to be served upon this Magistrate Judge. Within ten (10) days of service of any objecting party's timely filed objections, the opposing party may file a response. The response shall be not more than twenty (20) pages in length unless by motion and order such page limit is extended by the Court. The response shall address specifically, and in the same order raised, each issue contained within the objections.
SO ORDERED.