Ponce v. Benson et al, No. 4:2023cv00116 - Document 12 (D. Utah 2024)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM DECISION & Order for Service of Process. See order for details. Signed by Judge Robert J. Shelby on 03/27/2024. (kpf)
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THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF UTAH LAZARO PONCE, Plaintiffs, MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS v. Case No. 4:23-CV-116 RJS TREVOR BENSON et al., Chief District Judge Robert J. Shelby Defendants. As a pro se inmate, Plaintiff filed this civil-rights suit, 42 U.S.C.S. § 1983 (2024), without prepaying the filing fee, see 28 id. § 1915. (ECF Nos. 1, 3.) Having now screened the Complaint, (ECF No. 6), under its statutory review function,1 the Court concludes that official service of process is warranted for Defendants. See 28 U.S.C.S. § 1915(d) (2024) ("The officers of the court shall issue and serve all process, and perform all duties in such cases."). Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(c)(1), the Court requests waiver of service from the following Washington County defendants working in the Purgatory Correctional Facility: Trevor Benson (chief), Schultz (deputy lieutenant), Peralta (deputy sergeant), Burley Lindsey (mailroom clerk), John Doe # 1 (deputy sheriff), John Doe # 2 (deputy sheriff), Johnson (deputy 1 The screening statute reads: (a) Screening.—The court shall review . . . a complaint in a civil action in which a prisoner seeks redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. (b) Grounds for dismissal.—On review, the court shall identify cognizable claims or dismiss the complaint, or any portion of the complaint, if the complaint— (1) is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted; or (2) seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C.S. § 1915A (2024). Page 1 of 11 sheriff), Anderson (deputy sheriff), Christenson (deputy sheriff), T. Bryant (deputy sheriff), A. Alo (deputy sheriff), B. Taylor (deputy sheriff), J. White (deputy sheriff), Percival (deputy sheriff), C. Ostrowsky (deputy sheriff), C. Criddle (deputy sheriff).2 (ECF No. 6.) IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that: (1) Defendants shall answer the Complaint. (ECF No. 6.) (2) The Clerk of Court shall mail Notice of a Lawsuit and Request to Waive Service of a Summons, AO form 398; copies of Waiver of the Service of Summons, AO form 399; and copies of the Complaint, (ECF No. 6), and this Order to Washington County defendants Benson, Schultz, Peralta, Lindsey, Johnson, Anderson, Christenson, Bryant, Alo, Taylor, White, Percival, Ostrowsky, Criddle, John Doe # 1, and John Doe # 2, addressed as follows: Clerk Washington County Attention: Clerk Auditor 111 E Tabernacle St George, UT 84770 2 Counsel for fully named Washington County defendants must perform the limited discovery (using the Complaint's dates and descriptions of John Does 1 and 2's alleged roles in unconstitutional activities) necessary to determine the full name of John Does 1 and 2, whom Plaintiff has been unable to name. See Rodriguez v. Plymouth Ambulance Serv., 577 F.3d 816, 821-22, 832 (7th Cir. 2009) ("Because [Plaintiff] is a prisoner he may not be in a position to identify the proper defendants, or all of them, in his complaint. . . . We think it is the duty of the district court to assist him, within reason, to make the necessary investigation. . . . [Plaintiff] should have the opportunity to engage in limited discovery to ascertain the identities of these staff members, whose conduct he has explicitly described."); Valentin v. Dinkins, 121 F.3d 72, 76 (2d Cir. 1997) (stating, before dismissing unidentified defendant due to inability to permit service of process, district court should have helped incarcerated pro se litigant with inquiry into unknown defendant's identity when plaintiff provided numerous details like officer's surname, assigned unit, and date and location of incident; and district court "may pursue any course that it deems appropriate to a further inquiry into the identity" of the unknown defendant); Dean v. Barber, 951 F.2d 1210, 1216 (11th Cir. 1992) (deciding, when plaintiff described with sufficient clarity the head of the . . . jail," that plaintiff's "description was sufficiently clear to allow service of process on the 'Chief'"); Munz v. Parr, 758 F.2d 1254, 1257 (8th Cir. 1985) ("Rather than dismissing the claim, the court should have ordered disclosure of Officer Doe's identity by other defendants named and served or permitted the plaintiff to identify the officer through discovery."); Gillespie v. Civiletti, 629 F.2d 637, 642 (9th Cir. 1980) ("[T]he plaintiff should be given an opportunity through discovery to identify the unknown defendants, unless it is clear that discovery would not uncover the identities, or that the complaint would be dismissed on other grounds."); Gordon v. Leeke, 574 F.2d 1147, 1152-53 (4th Cir. 1978) ("A district court is not required to act as an advocate for a pro se litigant; but when such a litigant has alleged a cause of action which may be meritorious against a person or persons unknown, the district court should afford him a reasonable opportunity to determine the correct person or persons against whom the claim is asserted . . . ."). Once counsel has determined Defendants John Does 1 and 2's full names, counsel must also follow for them the service directions contained in this Order. Page 2 of 11 or Ryan.Sullivan@washco.ut.gov (3) Defendants are cautioned that Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4 requires Defendants to cooperate in saving unnecessary costs of serving summons and complaint. Under Rule 4, if Defendants fail to waive service of summons, after being asked by the Court to do so on Plaintiff's behalf, Defendants must bear service costs unless good cause be shown for failing to sign and return the waiver form. If service is waived, this action will proceed as if Defendants had been served on the day the waiver is filed, except that Defendants need not file an answer until 60 days from the date on which the waiver request was sent. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(3). (This allows longer time to respond than would be required if formal service of summons is necessary.) Defendants must read the statement at the bottom of the waiver form that more completely describes the party's duties about waiver. If service is waived after the deadline given in the Notice of a Lawsuit and Request to Waive Service of a Summons, but before Defendants have been personally served, the Answer shall be due 60 days from the date on which the request for waiver was sent or 20 days from the date the waiver form is filed, whichever is later. (4) For every Defendant for whom service has been ordered but for whom a waiver has not been executed, attorneys for the entity at which service was tried for that defendant must file a notice listing the defendant for whom service has not been waived and the reasons a waiver has not been provided. This report is due 30 days from the date the Request was sent. (5) Defendants shall answer the Complaint, observing the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the following litigation schedule: (a) If Defendants assert the affirmative defense of Plaintiff's failure to exhaust administrative remedies in a grievance process, Defendants must, (i) within 60 days of date of waiver request, file an answer; Page 3 of 11 (ii) within 90 days of filing an answer, prepare and file a Martinez report3 limited to the exhaustion issue; and, (iii) within 120 days of filing an answer, file a separate summary judgment motion, with supporting memorandum. (b) If Defendants challenge the complaint's bare allegations, Defendants shall, within 60 days of date of waiver request, file a motion to dismiss based on Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). (c) If Defendants choose not to rely on an exhaustion defense and wants to pierce the complaint's allegations, Defendants must, (i) within 60 days of date of waiver request, file an answer; (ii) within 90 days of filing an answer, prepare and file a Martinez report addressing the complaint's substance; and, (iii) within 120 days of filing an answer, file a separate summary judgment motion, with supporting memorandum. 3 See Martinez v. Aaron, 570 F.2d 317 (10th Cir. 1978) (approving district court's practice of ordering prison administration to prepare report to be included in pleadings in cases when prisoner has filed suit alleging constitutional violation against institution officials). In Gee v. Estes, 829 F.2d 1005 (10th Cir. 1987), the Tenth Circuit explained the nature and function of a Martinez report, saying: Under the Martinez procedure, the district judge or a United States magistrate [judge] to whom the matter has been referred will direct prison officials to respond in writing to the various allegations, supporting their response by affidavits and copies of internal disciplinary rules and reports. The purpose of the Martinez report is to ascertain whether there is a factual as well as a legal basis for the prisoner's claims. This, of course, will allow the court to dig beneath the conclusional allegations. These reports have proved useful to determine whether the case is so devoid of merit as to warrant dismissal without trial. Id. at 1007. Page 4 of 11 (d) If Defendants want to seek relief otherwise contemplated under procedural rules, Defendants must file an appropriate motion within 90 days of filing an answer. (6) Plaintiff may, within 30 days of its filing, respond to Martinez report, including any request and justification for other discovery, if needed. A Martinez report may "be used for its truth against the plaintiff if the plaintiff has been warned that failing to respond to the Martinez report could lead to that result." Ortiz v. Torgensen, 857 F. App'x 426-27 (10th Cir. 2021) (citing Schlicher v. Thomas, 111 F.3d 777, 780 (10th Cir. 1997)). Such a warning is included here. (7) Plaintiff must, within 30 days of its filing, respond to any motion to dismiss or summary-judgment motion. For Plaintiff's information and convenience, the Court has attached the procedural rules governing summary-judgment practice. (8) Defendants may file a reply brief within 14 days after the day Plaintiff's opposition is filed. (9) Any evidence filed to support the parties' summary-judgment positions must be reviewed by the parties to ensure that (a) only relevant evidence is submitted (for instance, if filing medical records, ensure that only medical records applicable to the exact claims at issue are filed); and (b) the numbering on the pages of all evidentiary submissions is clear on each page of each document and matches up to any references in citations to those documents in any summary-judgment motion, response, and reply. If evidentiary documents do not comply with this requirement, the summary-judgment motion, response, or reply, will be struck from the docket, subject to refiling with compliant evidentiary documents. (10) A motion to dismiss or for summary judgment is deemed submitted as of the date the reply brief is due. No hearing will be held on a motion unless the Court so orders at a later date. Page 5 of 11 (11) At the same time Defendants file their answers, they shall respond to Plaintiff's Motions for Protective Order. (ECF No. 9, 11.) Defendants need only respond to any part of the motion for which they have any alleged responsibility or potential of carrying out. Plaintiff is notified that any potential actors outside the PCF defendants specifically served here are not part of this action and not under the Court's jurisdiction or authority. In other words, the Court may not ask nondefendants of this action to respond to the Motion for Protective Order. (Id.) If Plaintiff wishes to bring an action against defendants at other facilities, he must file a different and new lawsuit naming them and alleging claims against them. (12) The Clerk of Court shall send Plaintiff a pro se prisoner packet containing a blank civil-rights complaint, should Plaintiff wish to use it to file another action. DATED this 27th day of March, 2024. BY THE COURT: CHIEF JUDGE ROBERT J. SHELBY United States District Court Fed Rule of Civil Procedure 56 Summary Judgment Page 6 of 11 (a) Motion for Summary Judgment or Partial Summary Judgment. A party may move for summary judgment, identifying each claim or defense - or the part of each claim or defense—on which summary judgment is sought. The court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The court should state on the record the reasons for granting or denying the motion. (b) Time to File a Motion. Unless a different time is set by local rule or the court orders otherwise, a party may file a motion for summary judgment at any time until 30 days after the close of all discovery. (c) Procedures. (1) Supporting Factual Positions. A party asserting that a fact cannot be or is genuinely disputed must support the assertion by: (A) citing to particular parts of materials in the record, including depositions, documents, electronically stored information, affidavits or declarations, stipulations (including those made for purposes of the motion only), admissions, interrogatory answers, or other materials; or (B) showing that the materials cited do not establish the absence or presence of a genuine dispute, or that an adverse party cannot produce admissible evidence to support the fact. (2) Objection That a Fact Is Not Supported by Admissible Evidence. A party may object that the material cited to support or dispute a fact cannot be presented in a form that would be admissible in evidence. (3) Materials Not Cited. The court need consider only the cited materials, but it may consider other materials in the record. (4) Affidavits or Declarations. An affidavit or declaration used to support or oppose a motion must be made on personal knowledge, set out facts that would be admissible in evidence, and show that the affiant or declarant is competent to testify on the matters stated. (d) When Facts Are Unavailable to the Nonmovant. If a nonmovant shows by affidavit or declaration that, for specified reasons, it cannot present facts essential to justify its opposition, the court may: (1) defer considering the motion or deny it; (2) allow time to obtain affidavits or declarations or to take discovery; or (3) issue any other appropriate order. (e) Failing to Properly Support or Address a Fact. If a party fails to properly support an assertion of fact or fails to properly address another party's assertion of fact as required by Rule 56(c), the court may: (1) give an opportunity to properly support or address the fact; (2) consider the fact undisputed for purposes of the motion; (3) grant summary judgment if the motion and supporting materials—including the facts considered undisputed—show that the movant is entitled to it; or (4) issue any other appropriate order. (f) Judgment Independent of the Motion. After giving notice and a reasonable time to respond, the court may: (1) grant summary judgment for a nonmovant; (2) grant the motion on grounds not raised by a party; or (3) consider summary judgment on its own after identifying for the parties material facts that may not be genuinely in dispute. (g) Failing to Grant All the Requested Relief. If the court does not grant all the relief requested by the motion, it may enter an order stating any material fact—including an item of damages or other relief— that is not genuinely in dispute and treating the fact as established in the case. (h) Affidavit or Declaration Submitted in Bad Faith. If satisfied that an affidavit or declaration under this rule is submitted in bad faith or solely for delay, the court—after notice and a reasonable time to respond—may order the submitting party to pay the other party the reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, it incurred as a result. An offending party or attorney may also be held in contempt or subjected to other appropriate sanctions. Page 7 of 11 DISTRICT OF UTAH LOCAL CIVIL RULE 56-1 SUMMARY JUDGMENT MOTIONS AND MEMORANDA (a) Compliance with DUCivR 7-1. A motion for summary judgment, response, and reply must comply with DUCivR 7-1 in addition to the requirements in this rule. (b) Motion. If a party files more than 1 summary judgment motion at the same time, the court may strike the motions and require that the motions be consolidated into a single motion. A motion for summary judgment must be titled “Motion for Summary Judgment,” be supported by an Appendix of Evidence, as described in 561(e), and include the following sections: (1) Introduction and Relief Requested. A concise statement of each claim or defense for which summary judgment is sought and a clear statement of the relief requested. (2) Background (Optional). An optional section to provide context for the case, dispute, and motion. If included, this section should be placed between the Introduction and Relief Requested and the Statement of Undisputed Material Facts. The Background need not be limited to undisputed facts and need not cite to evidentiary support. (3) Statement of Undisputed Material Facts. A concise statement of the undisputed material facts that entitle the moving party to judgment as a matter of law. Only facts necessary to decide the motion should be included in this section. The moving party must cite with particularity the evidence in the Appendix that supports each factual assertion. (4) Argument. An explanation for each claim or defense, establishing, under the applicable supporting authority, why the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The argument section should include a statement of each claim or defense on which the party is seeking summary judgment and supporting authorities. Any factual references must cite to the Appendix. (c) Response. A response to a motion for summary judgment may be accompanied by an Appendix of Evidence, if applicable, and must include the following sections. (1) Introduction. A concise statement explaining why summary judgment should be denied. (2) Background (Optional). An optional section to provide context for the case, dispute, and motion. If included, this section should be placed between the Introduction and the Response to Statement of Undisputed Material Facts. The Background need not be limited to undisputed facts and need not cite to evidentiary support. (3) Response to Statement of Undisputed Material Facts. A party must restate only those specific facts the opposing party contends are genuinely disputed or immaterial, providing a concise statement explaining why the fact is disputed or immaterial, and cite to the evidence used to refute the fact. The responding party should not restate undisputed facts. If a fact is inadmissible, the responding party must object, as provided in DUCivR 7-1(b), rather than move to strike the inadmissible fact. Factual citations must reference the appropriate Appendix. (4) Statement of Additional Material Facts (if applicable). If additional material facts are relevant to show that there is a genuine dispute of material fact, the party must state each additional fact and cite with particularity to the Appendix that contains the supporting evidence. Do not include duplicate copies of evidence already in the record. Instead, the party must cite to evidence in a previously filed Appendix. (5) Argument. An explanation for each claim or defense, establishing, under the applicable supporting authority, why summary judgment should be denied. Any factual citations must cite to the appropriate Appendix. (d) Reply. The moving party may file a reply. In the reply, a party may cite to evidence that was not previously cited only to rebut a claim that a material fact is in dispute. Otherwise, a reply may not contain additional evidence, and, if it does, the court may disregard it. Page 8 of 11 (e) Appendix of Evidence. (1) All evidence cited in a motion, response, or reply must be compiled in an appendix. Do not include duplicate copies of evidence already in the record. Instead, the party must cite to evidence in a previously filed Appendix. (2) The Appendix must include: (A) a captioned, cover-page index that— (i) lists each exhibit by number; (ii) includes a description or title of the exhibit; and (iii) identifies the source of the exhibit; (B) complete copies of all exhibits, including deposition transcripts. For lengthy deposition transcripts, the party may submit the relevant pages of the deposition and the 4 pages before and 4 pages after the sections cited. Manuscript transcripts are permitted, unless otherwise ordered by the court. (f) Failure to Respond. If a party fails to timely respond, the court may grant the motion without further notice if the moving party has established that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. DISTRICT OF UTAH LOCAL CIVIL RULE 7-1 MOTIONS AND MEMORANDA (a) Motion, Response, and Reply. (1) Motion and Memorandum. Except as otherwise allowed by this rule, a motion and memorandum must be contained in the same document and include the following: (A) an initial separate section stating succinctly the specific relief sought and the grounds for the relief; and (B) a recitation of relevant facts, supporting authority, and argument. (2) Exception to the Requirement to Include Facts and Supporting Authority. The requirement to include facts and supporting authority under section 7-1(a)(1)(B) does not apply to the following motions: (A) to extend time for the performance of an act, whether required or permitted, if the motion is made before the current deadline expires; (B) to continue a hearing or other court proceeding; (C) to appoint a next friend or guardian ad litem; (D) to substitute a party; (E) for a settlement conference; (F) for referral to or withdrawal from the court’s ADR program; and (G) for approval of a stipulation between the parties. (3) No Motion Within a Response or Reply. A party may not make a motion, including a motion under Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(d), or a cross-motion in a response or reply. Any motion must be separately filed. A cross-motion may incorporate by reference the arguments contained in a response, if applicable. (4) Page and Word Limits and Filing Times. Unless the court orders otherwise or the parties stipulate to shorter requirements, the following apply: (A) Motions Filed Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b), 12(c), or 23(c). (i) A motion or a response may not exceed 25 pages or 7,750 words. (ii) A reply may not exceed 10 pages or 3,100 words. (iii) A response to a motion must be filed within 28 days after service of the motion. (iv) A reply may be filed within 14 days after service of the response. (B) Motions Filed Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). (i) A motion or a response may not exceed 40 pages or 12,400 words. (ii) A reply may not exceed 20 pages or 6,200 words. Page 9 of 11 (iii) A response to a motion must be filed within 28 days after service of the motion. (iv) A reply may be filed within 14 days after service of the response. (C) Motions Filed Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 65. (i) A motion or a response may not exceed 25 pages or 7,750 words. (ii) A reply may not exceed 10 pages or 3,100 words. (iii) A response to a motion must be filed within 14 days after service of the motion. (iv) A reply may be filed within 14 days after service of the response. (D) All Other Motions. (i) A motion, response, or reply not specified above may not exceed 10 pages or 3,100 words. (ii) A response to a motion must be filed within 14 days after service of the motion. (iii) A reply may be filed within 14 days after service of the response. (5) Stipulation to Extend Filing Time. Parties seeking to extend the filing time for a response or reply must file a stipulated motion before the filing time has passed. A stipulation to extend a filing time is ineffective without a court order. (6) Sections Applicable to Page or Word Limits and Certification Requirement. (A) All headings, citations, quotations, and footnotes count toward the page or word limit. (B) The caption, face sheet, table of contents, table of authorities, signature block, certificate of service, and exhibits do not count toward the page or word limit. (C) When a document exceeds the page limit, a party must certify at the end of the document that the document complies with the word limit (e.g., “I, [attorney’s name], certify that this [name of document] contains [number of words] words and complies with DUCivR 7-1(a)(4).”). (7) Overlength Motion, Response, or Reply. (A) Unless modified by the assigned judge in a court order or on their “practices and procedures” page on the court website, a party must first obtain a court order authorizing the additional pages or words before filing a motion, response, or reply that exceeds the page or word limits in section 7-1(a)(4). The motion must be filed, and the order obtained, before filing the overlength motion, response, or reply. The motion to exceed the page or word limit must include: (i) the number of additional pages or words that are needed; and (ii) a statement of good cause why additional pages or words are needed. (B) An overlength motion, response, or reply must contain a table of contents. (8) Motion Seeking Relief Similar to Another Party’s Motion. Each party seeking relief from the court must file a motion that identifies the relief sought and grounds for the requested relief. A party may incorporate by reference another party’s arguments in the party’s own motion, if applicable, but filing a “Notice of Joinder” is improper. (9) Additional Memoranda. Unless otherwise ordered, the court will not consider additional memoranda. (b) Motion to Strike Evidence Improper; Evidentiary Objections Permitted. (1) A motion to strike evidence offered in another party’s motion, response, or reply is improper. (2) If evidence is offered in a motion or a response, the response or reply may include an objection to the evidence. In exceptional circumstances, the objection may be filed as a separate document simultaneously with the response or reply. (3) If new evidence is offered in a reply, an evidentiary objection must be filed within 7 days after service of the reply. (4) A party may file a response to an evidentiary objection at the same time any response or reply is due or no later than 7 days after the objection was filed, whichever is later. (c) Supplemental Authority. Page 10 of 11 When pertinent and significant authority comes to the attention of a party before the court has entered a decision on a motion, the party may file a Notice of Supplemental Authority, which may not exceed 2 pages. (1) The notice must contain, without argument, the following: (A) a reference either to the page of the memorandum or to a point argued orally to which the supplemental authority pertains; and (B) the reasons why the supplemental authority is relevant. (2) The court may decide a motion without waiting for a response to the notice. If the court has not ruled on the motion, a party may file a response, which may not exceed 2 pages, within 7 days after service of the notice. (d) Supporting Exhibits. When evidence is cited in a motion, response, or reply, the relevant portions of the evidence must be attached or filed separately and contemporaneously with the document. (e) Proposed Orders. (1) When Required. A party must provide a proposed order when filing a motion under section 71(a)(2) of this rule or when the court orders otherwise. (2) Filing Procedures. To file a proposed order, a party must: (A) attach it as an exhibit to the motion; and (B) email an editable copy of the proposed order, copied to other parties or their counsel— (i) for motions filed under DUCivR 77-2, to utdecf_clerk@utd.uscourts.gov; and (ii) for all other motions, to the assigned judge’s chambers. (f) Failure to Respond. Except as provided in DUCivR 56-1(f), failure to respond timely to a motion may result in the court granting the motion without further notice. (g) Oral Arguments on Motions. The court may set any motion for oral argument. Otherwise, a party may request oral argument on a motion and must show good cause. If oral argument is not set, the court will determine a motion based upon the parties’ written memoranda. (h) Summary Judgment. This rule and DUCivR 56-1 apply to motions for summary judgment and related memoranda. (i) Courtesy Copies. The court may require a party to provide courtesy copies as described in the court’s ECF Procedures Manual and on the Judge Information section of the court’s website. (j) Sanctions. Failure to comply with the requirements of this rule may result in the court imposing sanctions, including: (1) returning the document for resubmission in accord with the rule; (2) denial of the motion; or (3) any other sanction the court deems appropriate. Page 11 of 11
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