Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_04-cv-05121/USCOURTS-cand-5_04-cv-05121-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2254 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (State)

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States District C

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For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

MICHAEL COOK,

Petitioner(s),

 v.

A. K. SCRIBNER, Warden,

Respondent(s).

 /

NO. C 04-05121 JW PR

ORDER GRANTING MOTIONS TO

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS;

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

DOCKET NOS. 2, 4

INTRODUCTION

Petitioner, a prisoner of the State of California, filed a pro se petition for a writ of habeas

corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, and applications to proceed in forma pauperis. Venue is proper

in this judicial district because Petitioner was convicted and sentenced in San Mateo County

Superior Court. See 28 U.S.C. § 2241(D).

BACKGROUND

According to the allegations in the petition a jury found Petitioner guilty of assault with a

deadly weapon. On January 2, 2003, he was sentenced to fifteen years and eight months in prison. 

Petitioner alleges that he appealed his conviction to the California Court of Appeal and the

California Supreme Court before filing the instant federal habeas corpus petition on December 3,

2004. 

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 Petitioner erroneously named San Mateo County Superior Court as Respondent. The Court

hereby sua sponte substitutes in the proper Respondent, A.K. Scribner, Warden of California State

Prison Corcoran, where Petitioner is currently incarcerated.

Order to Show Cause

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STANDARD OF REVIEW

This Court may entertain a petition for a writ of habeas corpus "in behalf of a person in

custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court only on the ground that he is in custody in violation

of the Constitution or laws or treaties of the United States." 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a); Rose v. Hodges,

423 U.S. 19, 21 (1975). A district court shall "award the writ or issue an order directing the

respondent to show cause why the writ should not be granted, unless it appears from the application

that the applicant or person detained is not entitled thereto." 28 U.S.C. § 2243. Federal courts have

a duty to construe pro se petitions for a writ of habeas corpus liberally. Zichko v. Idaho, 247 F.3d

1015, 1020 (9th Cir. 2001).

As grounds for federal habeas relief, Petitioner asserts (1) there was insufficient evidence to

uphold Petitioner’s conviction; and (2) the trial court failed to bifurcate trial on the prior offense

allegations. Liberally construed, Petitioner’s allegations are sufficient to require a response. 

CONCLUSION

1. Petitioner’s motions to proceed in forma pauperis (docket numbers 2 and 4) are

GRANTED.

2. The Clerk of the Court shall serve by certified mail a copy of this Order and the

petition and all attachments thereto upon Respondent1 and Respondent's attorney, the Attorney

General of the State of California. The Clerk shall also serve a copy of this Order on the Petitioner

at his most current address.

3. Respondent shall file with this Court and serve upon Petitioner, no later than sixty

(60) days of the issuance of this Order, an Answer conforming in all respects to Rule 5 of the Rules

Governing Section 2254 Cases, showing cause why a writ of habeas corpus should not be issued. 

Respondent shall file with the Answer a copy of all portions of the State trial record that have been

transcribed previously and that are relevant to a determination of the issues presented by the petition. 

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If Petitioner wishes to respond to the Answer, he shall do so by filing a Traverse with the

Court and serving it on Respondent no later than forty-five (45) days of his receipt of the Answer. 

Should Petitioner fail to do so, the petition will be deemed submitted and ready for decision fortyfive (45) days after the date Petitioner is served with Respondent's Answer. 

4. Respondent may file a motion to dismiss on procedural grounds in lieu of an Answer,

as set forth in the Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases. 

If Respondent files such a motion, Petitioner shall file with the Court and serve on Respondent an

opposition or statement of non-opposition to the motion no later than forty-five (45) days of receipt

of the motion, and Respondent shall file with the court and serve on Petitioner a reply no later than

fifteen (15) days of receipt of any opposition.

5. It is Petitioner's responsibility to prosecute this case. Petitioner must keep the court

informed of any change of address by filing a separate paper with the Clerk of the Court headed

"NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS," and comply with any orders of the Court within the time

allowed or ask for an extension of that time. Failure to do so may result in the dismissal of this

action for failure to prosecute pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b). See Martinez v.

Johnson, 104 F.3d 769, 772 (5th Cir. 1997) (Rule 41(b) applicable in habeas cases). 

6. Petitioner is reminded that all communications with the Court, whether by way of

formal legal motions or informal letters, must be served on Respondent by mailing a true copy of the

document to Respondent's counsel.

7. Extensions of time are not favored, though reasonable extensions will be granted. 

Any motion for an extension of time must be filed no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the

deadline sought to be extended.

Dated: August 11, 2006 

JAMES WARE

United States District Judge

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THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT COPIES OF THIS ORDER HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO:

Michael C. Cook T-79529

California State Prison Corcoran

4001 King Avenue

Corcoran, CA 93212

P.O. Box 8800

Corcoran, CA 93212-8309

Michael C. Cook T-79529

Pelican Bay State Prison

P. O. Box 7500

Crescent City, Ca 95552-7500

Michael C. Cook T-79529

C.S.P. Sacramento New Folsom

Represa, California 95671

Dated: August 14, 2006 Richard W. Wieking, Clerk

By: 

Albert “J” Younger

Courtroom Deputy

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