Opinion
2:24-cv-03814-CBM-SSC
11-26-2024
Lydell Raysean Barnes v. County of Los Angeles et al.
Present: The Honorable Stephanie S. Christensen, U.S. Magistrate Judge
CIVIL MINUTES - GENERAL
Proceedings: (IN CHAMBERS) Order Denying Without Prejudice Joint Application for Entry of a Stipulated Protective Order (ECF 25)
On November 25, 2024, Plaintiff Lydell Raysean Barnes and Defendants County of Los Angeles, Kristos Casteneda, and Kevin Morales filed a joint application for entry of a stipulated protective order. (ECF 25.) The Court has reviewed the proposed stipulated protective order and has determined that, in its current form, it cannot be granted.
The proposed stipulated protective order includes the following statement:
In light of the nature of the claims and allegations in this case and the parties' representations that discovery in this case will involve the production of confidential records, and in order to expedite the
flow of information, to facilitate the prompt resolution of disputes over confidentiality of discovery materials, to adequately protect information the parties are entitled to keep confidential, to ensure that the parties are permitted reasonable necessary uses of such material in connection with this action, to address their handling of such material at the end of the litigation, and to serve the ends of justice, a protective order for such information is justified in this matter. The parties shall not designate any information/documents as confidential without a good faith belief that such information/documents have been maintained in a confidential, non-public manner, and that there is good cause or a compelling reason why it should not be part of the public record of this case.(ECF 25 at 2.) To the extent that the parties intended this to constitute the required good-cause statement, such language is insufficient. See Kamakana v. City and County of Honolulu, 447 F.3d 1172, 1176 (9th Cir. 2006); Foltz v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 331 F.3d 1122, 1130 (9th Cir. 2003).
In any revised stipulated protective order submitted to the Court, the parties must include a statement demonstrating good cause for entry of a protective order pertaining to the documents or information described in the order. The documents to be protected shall be specifically described and identified. The parties shall articulate, for each document or category of documents they seek to protect, the specific prejudice or harm that will result if no protective order is entered.
In sum, the joint request for approval of the stipulated protective order (ECF 25) is DENIED without prejudice to renewing the request.
The parties may re-file a revised proposed stipulated protective order that cures the deficiencies set forth in this order.
IT IS SO ORDERED.