Kohlhapp v. Department of Homeland Security

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA PAULA KOHLHAPP, Plaintiff, 8:24CV436 vs. ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, Defendant.

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m) provides, “If a defendant is not served within 90 days after the complaint is filed, the court -- on motion or on its own after notice to the plaintiff -- must dismiss the action without prejudice against that defendant or order that service be made within a specified time. But if the plaintiff shows good cause for the failure, the court must extend the time for service for an appropriate period.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(m).

Plaintiff filed the Complaint on November 8, 2024. (Filing No. 1). More than 90 days has elapsed since the Complaint was filed. To date, Plaintiff has not filed any return of service or signed waiver indicating service on the defendant, the defendant has not entered a voluntary appearance, and Plaintiff has not requested an extension of time to complete service. Although Plaintiff is proceeding pro se, Plaintiff must nevertheless comply with local rules, court orders, and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. See Ackra Direct Mktg. Corp. v. Fingerhut Corp., 86 F.3d 852, 856 (8th Cir. 1996) (“In general, pro se representation does not excuse a party from complying with a court’s orders and with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.”); Bennett v. Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc., 295 F.3d 805, 808 (8th Cir. 2002) (a litigant’s “pro se status d[oes] not entitle him to disregard the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure[.]”). Therefore, Plaintiff must show cause why this case should not be dismissed for failure to serve the defendant. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Plaintiff shall have until March 10, 2025, to show cause why this case should not be dismissed pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m) or take other appropriate action. The failure to timely comply with this order may result in dismissal of this action without further notice.

Dated this 10th day of February, 2025.

BY THE COURT: s/Michael D. Nelson United States Magistrate Judge