Arizona Yage Assembly, et al. v. William Barr, et al.

Summary

The United States District Court for the District of Arizona approved the parties’ stipulation regarding timeliness, granted Plaintiffs’ motion to deem their papers timely filed, and denied Plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file a reply concerning their Rule 72(a) objections. The court concluded that Plaintiffs had not shown good cause for a reply because Defendants’ response was adequately responsive and Plaintiffs had already had an opportunity to present their arguments.

Holdings

1. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72(a) does not authorize a reply to a response to objections to a magistrate judge's order on a nondispositive matter; a party seeking to file such a reply must generally demonstrate good cause or another legal basis.
2. Plaintiffs did not demonstrate good cause for filing a reply to defendants' opposition.
3. The court granted the unopposed request to deem plaintiffs' motion for leave timely filed.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the plaintiffs' motion for leave to file a reply to defendants' opposition to their Rule 72(a) objections should be permitted.
2. Whether the plaintiffs' untimely motion for leave to file a reply should be deemed timely filed.

Disposition

other