Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00585/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00585-3/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

Before Court is the request, lodged by Respondent to file under seal the probation report 

prepared in Petitioner’s underlying criminal matter and a psychiatric evaluation. (Doc. 25) For the 

reasons set forth below, the request is GRANTED.

I. Legal Authority

Generally, documents filed on the docket are presumed to be available to the public. EEOC v. 

Erection Co., 900 F.2d 168, 170 (9th Cir. 1990); see also Kamakana v. City and County of Honolulu, 

447 F.3d 1172, 1178 (9th Cir.2006); Foltz v. State Farm Mut. Auto Ins. Co., 331 F.3d 1122, 1134 (9th 

Cir.2003). Documents may be sealed only when the compelling reasons for doing so outweigh the 

public’s right of access. EEOC at 170. In evaluating the request, the Court considers the “public 

interest in understanding the judicial process and whether disclosure of the material could result in 

improper use of the material for scandalous or libelous purposes or infringement upon trade secrets.” 

Valley Broadcasting Co. v. United States District Court, 798 F.2d 1289, 1294 (9th Cir. 1986).

CAMERON TERHUNE,

 Petitioner,

v.

JOE LIZARRAGA,

Respondent.

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Case No.: 1:16-cv-00585 DAD JLT (HC)

ORDER GRANTING RESPONDENT’S REQUEST 

TO SEAL LODGED DOCUMENTS

(Doc. 25)

Case 1:16-cv-00585-DAD-JLT Document 26 Filed 11/03/16 Page 1 of 2
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Here, Respondent seeks to file under seal the probation report prepared in Petitioner’s

underlying criminal matter as well as a psychiatric report. (Doc. 25) This report is made confidential 

under California law (Cal. Pen Code § 1203.05) and contains personal identifiers which should not be 

subject to public view. See Premium Serv. Corp. v. Sperry & Hutchinson Co., 511 F.2d 225, 229 (9th 

Cir. 1975) (“[A] public policy against unnecessary public disclosure arises from the need, if the tax 

laws are to function properly, to encourage taxpayers to file complete and accurate returns.”); Gabel v. 

C.I.R., 134 F.3d 377 (9th Cir. 1998) (Social security numbers are part of tax return information and 

are confidential.) Likewise, the psychiatric report contains information that should be maintained as 

confidential given the nature of the information discussed in it. Thus, the Court finds a compelling 

need for these documents to remain confidential.

ORDER

Based upon the foregoing, the Court ORDERS:

1. Defendants’ request to file under seal documents (Doc. 25) is GRANTED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 3, 2016 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-00585-DAD-JLT Document 26 Filed 11/03/16 Page 2 of 2