Opinion
CASE NO. 1:11-cv-1137-MJS (PC)
01-25-2012
RICHARD LEE MORRISON, Plaintiff, v. DONNIE YOUNGBLOOD, et al., Defendants.
ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR SERVICE ON DEFENDANTS
(ECF No. 8)
Plaintiff Richard Lee Morrison ("Plaintiff") is a state prisoner proceeding pro se in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff has consented to the Magistrate Judge handling all matters in this action. (ECF No. 5.)
Before the Court is Plaintiff's "Motion for an Order to Serve Complaint and Summons on the Defendants". (ECF No. 8.) Plaintiff initiated this action on July 11, 2011, and he asks for an order requiring the United States Marshall to serve the named Defendants. (Id.)
The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner 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 who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1),(2). 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 is aware of Plaintiff's action and his Compliant is in line for screening. However, the Court has a large number of prisoner civil rights cases pending before it and will screen Plaintiff's Complaint in due course. Until such time as the Court has screened Plaintiff's Complaint, no further action is required.
Accordingly, Plaintiff's Motion for an Order to Serve Complaint and Summons on the Defendants (ECF No. 8) is DENIED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
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UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE