Case ID: f-appx_190/html/0137-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Bobby HAZEL, Appellant v. Joseph SMITH, Warden.
    No. 06-1400.
    United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
    Submitted For Possible Summary Action Under Third Circuit LAR 27.4 and I.O.P. 10.6 June 2, 2006.
    Filed June 23, 2006.
    Bobby Hazel, United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg, PA, pro se.
    Kate L. Mershimer, Office of United States Attorney, Harrisburg, PA, for Joseph Smith.
    BEFORE: SCIRICA, Chief Judge, WEIS and GARTH, Circuit Judges.
   OPINION

PER CURIAM.

In 2005, Bobby Hazel filed a habeas corpus petition pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The District Court dismissed Hazel’s habeas petition for lack of jurisdiction and denied his subsequent motion for reconsideration. We affirmed the District Court’s judgment of dismissal. See Hazel v. Smith, 142 Fed.Appx. 131 (3d Cir.2005). Hazel then filed a series of post-judgment motions in the District Court, seeking review of the judgment of dismissal. In an order entered on January 20, 1006, the District Court denied two of these motions, titled “Motion Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. Rule 60(b)(4) and (6) to Reopen Judgment ...” (Document # 17, filed July 6, 2005) and “Motion for Clarification” (Document # 20, filed August 1, 2005). Hazel appeals from this order, proceeding pro se. Hazel was notified that his appeal would be considered for summary action, and he has filed a motion opposing summary action.

We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. After independently reviewing both the record and Hazel’s summary action response, we find that Hazel’s appeal presents no substantial question and will, therefore, summarily affirm the District Court’s judgment. See Third Circuit LAR 27.4; I.O.P. 10.6.

We agree with the District Court’s construction of Hazel’s July 6, 2005, motion as a motion for reconsideration. Although it is titled as arising under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b) and includes assertions that the District Court’s judgment was a “mistake” under Rule 60(b)(1) and “void” under Rule 60(b)(4), the motion primarily reiterates Hazel’s arguments that § 2241 is an appropriate vehicle for his claims. As it raises no new arguments and its purpose is clearly to “relitigate the original issue,” Hazel’s motion is properly construed as a motion for reconsideration under Rule 59(e). See Smith v. Evans, 853 F.2d 155, 158-159 (3d Cir.1988); Turner v. Evers, 726 F.2d 112, 114 (3d Cir. 1984) (the function of the motion, rather than the caption, dictates which Rule applies). Notably, Hazel’s motion identifies as its object the District Court’s order denying his first motion for reconsideration (Document # 13). The District Court appropriately denied this motion, as such motions for “re-reconsideration” are improper. See, e.g., Turner, 726 F.2d at 114.

Even if it were construed as arising under Rule 60(b), Hazel’s motion would have been properly denied, because it presents no viable basis for Rule 60(b) relief. Contrary to his assertions that “exceptional circumstances” exist, Hazel’s motion contains no arguments which could not have been raised on appeal, making Rule 60(b) inappropriate. See Martinez-McBean v. Government of Virgin Islands, 562 F.2d 908, 911 (3d Cir.1977).

Finally, we find no abuse of discretion in the denial of Hazel’s “Motion for Clarification.” This “motion” appears to be an attempt to obtain information about a reference in docket entry # 18 to a deadline for filing an opposition brief. Hazel requests “clarification to determine who is the party to file opposition to movant [sic] motion.” See Document #20. Such a request is more properly made by writing to the Clerk of Court, rather than by filing a motion.