California Cases August 24, 2021: Olson v. Bynum

Case Description

ORDER

DENNIS M. COTA UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Plaintiff, who is proceeding pro se, brings this civil action. Pending before the Court is Plaintiff's complaint, ECF No. 1.

The Court is required to screen complaints brought by litigants who have been granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). Under this screening provision, the court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if it: (1) is frivolous or malicious; (2) fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted; or (3) seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(A), (B). Moreover, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(h)(3), this court must dismiss an action if the court determines that it lacks subject matter jurisdiction. Because plaintiff has been granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis, the court will screen the complaint pursuant to § 1915(e)(2). Pursuant to Rule 12(h)(3), the court will also consider as a threshold matter whether it has subject-matter jurisdiction.

Plaintiff alleges various federal and state law claims, chief among them Plaintiff's claim that Defendants conspired to improperly remove her name from the 2020 ballot as a candidate for director of the Hornbrook Community Services District. The Court concludes that it has subject matter jurisdiction and that the complaint is appropriate for service by the United States Marshal without pre-payment of costs. If Plaintiff desires service of process by the United States Marshal without pre-payment of costs, Plaintiff must comply with the requirements outlined below. Plaintiff is warned that failure to comply with this order, or otherwise effect service pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4, may result in dismissal of the action for lack of prosecution and failure to comply with court rules and orders. See Local Rule 110.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The Clerk of the Court shall issue a summons in a civil case, the undersigned's new case documents, and an order setting this matter for an initial scheduling conference;

2. The Clerk of the Court shall send Plaintiff the summons, three (3) USM-285 forms, and a copy of the complaint;

3. Within 15 days from the date of this order, Plaintiff shall complete the summons by indicating the addresses of the named Defendants and shall submit to the United States Marshal at the address indicated below the following documents:

a. The completed summons;

b. One completed USM-285 form for each named Defendant;

c. Four (4) copies of the complaint; and d. Three (3) copies of the Court's initial scheduling conference order issued herewith;

4. Within 20 days of the date of this order, Plaintiff shall file a notice indicating that the documents described above have been submitted to the United States Marshal, or a notice that Plaintiff intends to serve the summons and complaint without assistance from the United States Marshal;

5. If Plaintiff seeks the assistance of the United States Marshal, the United States Marshal is directed to serve all process without pre-payment of costs not later than 60 days from the date of this order, such service of process to be completed by serving a copy of the summons, complaint, and initial scheduling conference order on the Defendants at the addresses provided by Plaintiff; and

6. The Clerk of the Court is directed to serve a copy of this order on the United States Marshal at 501 “I” Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814.