Opinion
5:09cv203/SPM/MD.
August 12, 2009
ORDER
Plaintiff, an inmate who is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, has filed his amended civil rights complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Doc. 10). The complaint is sufficient to alert Defendant to the nature and basis of Plaintiff's claims, and Plaintiff has complied with the order directing him to submit a service copy of this pleading. Service of the complaint shall therefore be ordered, and the Defendant shall be required to respond. Plaintiff shall not file any reply to the Defendant's response until ordered to do so by the court.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED:
1. The docket shall reflect that there is one Defendant in this action: David Barfield.
2. The Clerk shall issue a summons, indicating that Defendant has sixty (60) days in which to file a response to the complaint, and refer the summons to the United States Marshals, along with the service copy of Plaintiff's complaint.
3. The Clerk shall also prepare and send the Marshal a copy of this order for the named Defendant.
4. Pursuant to Rule 4(c), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rebecca Mitchell is specially appointed to serve process upon Defendant David Barfield at Apalachee Correctional Institution. In the absence of Rebecca Mitchell, the specially appointed process server designated above, Melissa Varn is designated as an alternate server and shall comply with this order as though issued in her name.
5. Within 30 days from the date of entry of this order on the docket, the United States Marshal or a Deputy United States Marshal shall serve a copy of the civil rights complaint, the summons, and this order upon Defendant. Service shall be accomplished by mailing these documents by regular mail to the above named special process server who shall serve the complaint. All costs of service shall be advanced by the United States.
6. Within 10 days after receipt of the complaint and this order, Rebecca Mitchell shall serve the complaint upon the individuals named above, complete and sign the return of service, and return it to the Clerk of Court as proof of service. Defendant shall also sign the return of service as an acknowledgment of receipt of service.
7. If the Defendant is no longer employed at the designated institution or facility, or is otherwise unable to be served, the server shall report this information to the Clerk of Court within 10 days after receipt of the complaint and this order. If service is returned unexecuted, or if a return is not filed within forty-five (45) days from the date of this order, the Clerk of Court shall immediately notify Chambers.
8. Defendant shall have 60 days in which to file a response to the complaint.
9. No motion for summary judgment shall be filed by any party prior to entry of an Initial Scheduling Order without permission of the Court.
10. Counsel for Defendant shall file a notice of appearance within thirty (30) days of the date of service.
11. Plaintiff is advised that after a response to the complaint has been filed, no further amendments to the complaint shall be permitted by the Court unless, as required by Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Plaintiff files a separate motion for leave to so amend and provides a copy of the proposed amended complaint. N.D. Fla. Loc. R. 15.1.
12. In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(2), the Clerk shall forward to Plaintiff a form for consenting to trial by the magistrate judge, with the case number written on it. If Plaintiff wishes to consent, the form should be signed and forwarded to counsel for Defendant. If Defendant wishes to consent, the form should be signed and returned to the Clerk.
13. After a notice of appearance has been filed, Plaintiff shall be required to mail to the attorney for Defendant a copy of every pleading or other paper, including letters, submitted for consideration by the Court. Plaintiff shall include with each pleading, motion, or other paper to be filed with the Clerk of the Court a certificate of service stating the date an identical copy of the paper was mailed to the Defendant or to the attorney representing Defendant. Any paper so submitted for filing that does not contain a "certificate of service" shall be returned by the Clerk and disregarded by the Court.
14. Plaintiff is reminded to keep the Clerk of Court advised of any change in his mailing address should he be transferred, released from prison, or otherwise be relocated. Failure to do so may result in the dismissal of Plaintiff's action for failure to prosecute should court orders not be able to reach Plaintiff.
DONE AND ORDERED.