Opinion
3:24CV00082-KGB-JTK
07-31-2024
ETHAN TROKA ADC # 178058 PLAINTIFF v. PATRICK MCCOWN, et al. DEFENDANTS
INITIAL ORDER FOR PRO SE PRISONERS
JEROME T. KEARNEY UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
You have filed this federal civil rights lawsuit pro se, that is, without the help of a lawyer. There are rules and procedures that you must follow in order to proceed with your lawsuit, even though you are not a lawyer.
First: Follow All Court Rules. You must comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure as well as Local Rules for the Eastern District of Arkansas. In particular, Local Rule 5.5(c)(2) provides that:
It is the duty of any party not represented by counsel to promptly notify the Clerk and the other parties to the proceedings of any change in his or her address, to monitor the progress of the case, and to prosecute or defend the action diligently. A party appearing for himself/herself must sign his/her pleadings and state his/her address, zip code, and telephone number. If any communication from the Court to a pro se plaintiff is not responded to within thirty (30) days, the case may be dismissed without prejudice. Any party proceeding pro se must be expected to be familiar with and follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Second: The Three Strikes Rule. The Prison Litigation Reform Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), provides that:
In no event shall a prisoner bring a civil action or appeal a judgment in a civil action or proceeding under this section if the prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury.
Third: Service of Defendants. All Defendants must be served within 120 days of the filing of the Complaint. This includes John/Jane Doe Defendants. It is your responsibility to identify all Defendants, including Doe Defendants. The Court will order service on all identified Defendants, but you are responsible for providing valid service addresses for each of them. Any Defendant who is not served within 120 days will be dismissed, without prejudice, from the lawsuit.
Fourth: No Right to Appointed Counsel. This is a civil case. Unlike criminal cases, there is no right to have an appointed lawyer in a civil case. If your case proceeds to a jury trial, however, a lawyer will be appointed to assist you.
Fifth: Do Not File Discovery. Discovery requests, such as interrogatories and requests for production of documents, and responses to discovery requests cannot be filed with the Court. Instead, you must mail discovery requests and responses directly to counsel for the Defendant. Do not mail discovery requests to Defendants' counsel until after he or she has filed an Answer or Motion to Dismiss.
Sixth: Do Not Send Documents to the Court, Except in Two Situations. You may send documents or other evidence to the Court only if: (1) they are attached to a Motion for Summary Judgment, or a Response thereto; or (2) the Court orders you to file documents or other evidence.
Seventh: Witnesses. If your case is set for trial, as your trial date approaches, you will be asked to provide a witness list. After reviewing your witness list, the Court will subpoena the necessary witnesses. x
IT IS SO ORDERED