Opinion
1:13-cv-0461 AWI-BAM
04-12-2013
MICHAEL CHASE STAFFORD, Plaintiff, v. STATE OF CALIFORNIA, et al., Defendants.
ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION TO
PROCEED WITHOUT PREPAYMENT
OF FEES OR COSTS
ORDER DIRECTING PLAINTIFF TO
RETURN CONSENT FORMS
Plaintiff is proceeding pro se and has requested leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to Title 28 of the United States Code section 1915(a). Plaintiff has made the showing required by section 1915(a), and accordingly, the request to proceed in forma pauperis will be granted. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).
Plaintiff is advised that the Court is required to screen complaints of pro se litigants pursuant to Title 28 of the United States Code section 1915A(a). The Court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the litigant has raised claims that are legally "frivolous or malicious," that fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or that seek monetary relief from a defendant(s) who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1)&(2). As a result, summonses will not issue at this time. The Court will direct the United States Marshal to serve Plaintiff's complaint only after the Court has screened the complaint and determined that it contains cognizable claims for relief against the named defendants. The Court has a large number of such cases pending before it and will screen Plaintiff's complaint in due course.
Finally, the Clerk of the Court is directed to mail a Consent to Magistrate Jurisdiction Form to Plaintiff. Plaintiff shall complete the form and advise the Court whether or not he will consent to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction no later than May 13, 2013.
Failure to complete the form may result in dismissal of this action.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Barbara A. McAuliffe
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE