Jane Doe v. Rockland County
Jane Doe v. Rockland County
Trial Court Opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK JANE DOE, Plaintiff, 25-CV-6598 (CS) -against- ORDER OF SERVICE ROCKLAND COUNTY, Defendant. CATHY SEIBEL, United States District Judge: Plaintiff, who is proceeding pro se, brings this action under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, and the New York State Human Rights Law. She alleges that her employer retaliated against her following her formal complaints regarding alleged discriminatory conduct. By order dated September 12, 2025, the Court granted Plaintiff’s request to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”), that is, without prepayment of fees. Because Plaintiff has been granted permission to proceed IFP, she is entitled to rely on the Court and the U.S. Marshals Service to effect service.1 Walker v. Schult,
717 F.3d. 119, 123 n.6 (2d Cir. 2013); see also
28 U.S.C. § 1915(d) (“The officers of the court shall issue and serve all process . . . in [IFP] cases.”); Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(c)(3) (the court must order the Marshals Service to serve if the plaintiff is authorized to proceed IFP)).
1Although Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure generally requires that a summons be served within 90 days of the date the complaint is filed, Plaintiff is proceeding IFP and could not have effected service until the Court reviewed the complaint and ordered that any summonses be issued. The Court therefore extends the time to serve until 90 days after the date any summonses issue. To allow Plaintiff to effect service on Defendant Rockland County through the U.S. Marshals Service, the Clerk of Court is instructed to fill out a U.S. Marshals Service Process Receipt and Return form (““USM-285 form”) for Defendant. The Clerk of Court is further instructed to issue summonses and deliver to the Marshals Service all the paperwork necessary for the Marshals Service to effect service upon Defendant. If the complaint is not served within 90 days after the date the summons is issued, Plaintiff should request an extension of time for service. See Meilleur v. Strong,
682 F.3d 56, 63(2d Cir. 2012) (holding that it is the plaintiff’s responsibility to request an extension of time for service). Plaintiff must notify the Court in writing if her address changes, and the Court may dismiss the action if Plaintiff fails to do so. The Court will separately address Plaintiff’s request to proceed under a pseudonym. CONCLUSION The Clerk of Court is instructed to issue a summons for Defendant, complete the USM- 285 form with the address for Defendant, and deliver all documents necessary to effect service to the U.S. Marshals Service. The Clerk of Court is directed to mail an information package to Plaintiff. SO ORDERED. Dated: October 30, 2025 White Plains, New York Aaskek United States District Judge
SERVICE ADDRESS FOR DEFENDANT Rockland County Allison-Parris County Office Building 11 New Hempstead Rd New City, NY 10956
Reference
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