Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-01214/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-01214-0/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CARLOS MONTES,

Petitioner,

v.

DERRAL G. ADAMS, Warden

Respondent.

 /

1:09-cv-01214-AWI-SMS (HC)

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION

REGARDING RESPONDENT’S MOTION TO

DISMISS

[Doc. 11]

Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. 

 BACKGROUND

Petitioner is currently in the custody of the California Department of Corrections and

Rehabilitation. Petitioner filed the instant petition for writ of habeas corpus on July 13, 2009. 

(Court Doc. 1.) Petitioner does not challenge the validity of his confinement; rather, he

challenges the affects of his placement in the Security Housing Unit (“SHU”).

Respondent filed the instant motion to dismiss on November 12, 2009, and Petitioner

filed an opposition on December 23, 2009. (Court Docs. 11, 14.) 

DISCUSSION

I. Procedural Grounds for Motion to Dismiss

Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases allows a district court to dismiss a

petition if it “plainly appears from the petition and any attached exhibits that the petitioner is not

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entitled to relief in the district court . . . .” Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases.

The Ninth Circuit has allowed respondents to file a motion to dismiss in lieu of an answer

if the motion attacks the pleadings for failing to exhaust state remedies or being in violation of

the state’s procedural rules. See e.g., O’Bremski v. Maass, 915 F.2d 418, 420 (9 Cir. 1990) th

(using Rule 4 to evaluate motion to dismiss petition for failure to exhaust state remedies); White

v. Lewis, 874 F.2d 599, 602-03 (9 Cir. 1989) (using Rule 4 as procedural grounds to review th

motion to dismiss for state procedural default); Hillery v. Pulley, 533 F.Supp. 1189, 1194 & n.12

(E.D. Cal. 1982) (same). Thus, a respondent can file a motion to dismiss after the court orders a

response, and the Court should use Rule 4 standards to review the motion. See Hillery, 533 F.

Supp. at 1194 & n. 12. 

II. Failure to State Cognizable Claim

Respondent argues that this Court lacks jurisdiction to review the instant petition because

“success would not affect the fact or duration of [Petitioner’s] confinement.” (Motion to

Dismiss, at 2.) 

 A federal court may only grant a petition for writ of habeas corpus if the petitioner can

show that "he is in custody in violation of the Constitution . . . ." 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a). A habeas

corpus petition is the correct method for a prisoner to challenge the “legality or duration” of his

confinement. Badea v. Cox, 931 F.2d 573, 574 (9th Cir. 1991), quoting, Preiser v. Rodriguez,

411 U.S. 475, 485 (1973); Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 1 of the Rules Governing Section

2254 Cases. In contrast, a civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 is the proper method

for a prisoner to challenge the conditions of that confinement. McCarthy v. Bronson, 500 U.S.

136, 141-42 (1991); Preiser, 411 U.S. at 499; Badea, 931 F.2d at 574; Advisory Committee

Notes to Rule 1 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases. 

 The Court agrees with Respondent that Petitioner’s challenge to the affects his placement

in the SHU will have on a future parole decision is not cognizable under section 2254. The

instant petition challenges only the affect Petitioner’s placement in the SHU will have on future

parole decision, and such challenge is too speculative to establish habeas corpus jurisdiction. 

However, in his opposition, Petitioner elaborates on his claim and contends that he also

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challenges the lack of ability to earn good-time credits due to his placement in the SHU. To this

end, the Court finds that Petitioner states a cognizable claim under section 2254. Petitioner

points out that prior to entering the SHU he was earning good time credit and it is reasonable to

assume he would have continued to earn such credits but for his placement in the SHU. It will

likely accelerate his sentence if he were to succeed with this petition. Although the Supreme

Court has not addressed whether a challenge to a condition of confinement may be brought under

section 2254, see Docken v. Chase, 393 F.3d 1024, 1028 (9 Cir. 2004), “habeas jurisdiction is th

absent, and a 1983 action proper, where a successful challenge to a prison condition will not

necessarily shorten the prisoner’s sentence.” Ramirez v. Galaza, 334 F.3d 850, 859 (9 Cir. th

2003). Because Petitioner’s placement in the SHU may have an impact on the duration of his

confinement, it may be remedied by way of a petition for writ of habeas corpus. Young v.

Kenny, 907 F.2d 874, 876-878 (9th Cir. 1990). Therefore, the Court recommends that

Respondent’s motion to dismiss the initial petition be granted, but Petitioner be given leave to

file an amended petition to clarify his claim. See Jarvis v. Nelson, 440 F.2d 13, 14, (9 Cir. th

1971) (A petition for habeas corpus should not be dismissed without leave to amend unless it

appears that no tenable claim for relief can be pleaded were such leave granted.) 

RECOMMENDATION

Based on the foregoing, it is HEREBY RECOMMENDED that Respondent’s motion to

dismiss be GRANTED, but Petitioner be given leave to file an amended petition.

This Findings and Recommendation is submitted to the assigned United States District

Court Judge, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. section 636 (b)(1)(B) and Rule 72-304 of

the Local Rules of Practice for the United States District Court, Eastern District of California. 

Within thirty (30) days after being served with a copy, any party may file written objections with

the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned “Objections to

Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendation.” Replies to the objections shall be served

and filed within fourteen (14) after service of the objections. The Court will then review the

Magistrate Judge’s ruling pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(C). The parties are advised that

failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District

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Court’s order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 18, 2010 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

icido3 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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