Opinion
CASE NO. 1:07-cv-964-LJO-MJS (PC) ECF No. 55 ECF No. 56
09-12-2011
JOSEPH R. PULLIAM, Plaintiff, v. M. LOZANO, et al., Defendants.
ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART PLAINTIFF'S
MOTION FOR A SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM AND DENYING PLAINTIFF'S
TWO MOTIONS TO ENLARGE DISCOVERY
I. INTRODUCTION
Plaintiff Joseph R. Pulliam ("Plaintiff") is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The action proceeds on Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint, filed February 2, 2009, against Defendants Lozano and Mason for Eighth Amendment violations. (ECF No. 23.)
On December 20, 2010, Plaintiff filed a Motion to Compel Production of Documents. (ECF No. 40.) On January 31, 2011, the Court responded to Plaintiff's Motion by ordering Defendants to further respond to Plaintiff's earlier request to produce or demonstrate that they did not have possession, custody or control of the requested documents. (ECF No. 46.)
On February 9, 2011, Defendants Lozano and Mason filed a further response which satisfied the Court that Defendants did not have the requested documents. (ECF No. 47.) Accordingly, on March 9, 2011, the Court denied Plaintiff's Motion to Compel, but invited Plaintiff to move the Court to issue a Subpoena Duces Tecum for the documents. (ECF No. 49). Plaintiff was directed, however, to include in any such Motion for a Subpoena Duces Tecum a list of "the specific documents he seeks and explain why he believes that they are relevant to this action." (emphasis in original) (Id. at 2.)
On March 31, 2011, the Court-ordered discovery deadline, Plaintiff filed a Motion for a Subpoena Duces Tecum. (ECF No. 55) On that same date he also filed a Motion to Extend the Discovery Deadline and a Motion to Alter the Limit of Interrogatories. (ECF No. 56.)
Plaintiff's Motions for a Subpoena Duces Tecum, to Extend the Discovery Deadline, and to Alter the Limit of Interrogatories are now before the Court.
II. MOTION FOR A SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM
Plaintiff's Motion for a Subpoena Duces Tecum consists of a list of requested documents. (Mot. at 2-5.) Plaintiff does not comply with the Court's directive that he specify how the requested documents may be relevant to his action. Nevertheless, review of the request satisfies the Court that items lettered "A" through "J" and "S" are relevant or likely to lead to the discovery of relevant evidence. Accordingly, the Court will issue a subpoena for same. In all other respects, Plaintiff's Motion for a Subpoena Duces Tecum is denied due to Plaintiff's failure to follow the Court's prior Order.
III. MOTION TO EXTEND THE DISCOVERY DEADLINE
Plaintiff asks the Court to extend the discovery deadline in this case because his appeal of a denial of his Motion for Appointment of Counsel was still pending when the discovery deadline expired. (Mot. at 2.) However, that appeal ultimately was dismissed on April 19, 2011 for lack of jurisdiction. (ECF No. 57.)
Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)(4), the Court can modify a discovery schedule "only for good cause." Here, Plaintiff has failed to show good cause. The basis for his request was the pendency of an appeal which has since been dismissed. Given that dismissal, neither the appeal nor the issues raised therein can be said to have had any effect on discovery.
Accordingly, Plaintiff's Motion to Extend the Discovery Deadline will be denied.
IV. MOTION TO ALTER THE LIMIT OF INTERROGATORIES
Plaintiff also asks the Court for leave to serve additional interrogatories pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 33. Plaintiff fails to offer any explanation as to why he might feel he needs additional interrogatories and why he should be given leave to serve more than 25 written interrogatories on Defendants. He has failed to show good cause for extending the limit.
Accordingly, Plaintiff's Motion to Alter the Limit of Interrogatories will be denied.
V. CONCLUSION AND ORDER
Based on the foregoing, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Plaintiff's Motion for a Subpoena Duces Tecum (ECF No. 55) is GRANTED as to items lettered "A" through "J" and "S" in his motion (ECF No. 55) ; a Subpoena shall be issued fifteen days after entry of this Order and will be served by the U.S. Marshall on Kelly Harrington, Warden of Kern Valley State Prison; in all other respects the Motion is DENIED; and
2. Plaintiff's Motion to Extend the Discovery Deadline and his Motion to Alter the Limit of Interrogatories (ECF No. 56) is DENIED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Michael J. Seng
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE