Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_08-cv-04045/USCOURTS-cand-3_08-cv-04045-1/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RAY H WOODRUFF, SR,

Petitioner,

 vs.

MICHAEL MUKASEY, et al,

Respondents. 

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No C 08-4045 VRW (PR)

ORDER OF DISMISSAL

Petitioner Ray H Woodruff, Sr, has filed a pro se petition for a writ of

habeas corpus under 28 USC § 2241 on behalf of his son Kevin Paul Woodruff, a

federal prisoner convicted in this court of multiple counts of "interference with

commerce by threats or violence" in violation of the Hobbs Act, 18 USC §

1951(a). 

A person other than the detained person challenging his detention may file

an application for a writ of habeas corpus and establish standing as a "next

friend." Whitmore v Arkansas, 495 US 149, 163 (1990). A next friend does not

himself become a party to the habeas petition, "but simply pursues the cause on

behalf of the detained person, who remains the real party in interest." Id. There

are two firmly rooted prerequisites to "next friend" standing:

Case 3:08-cv-04045-VRW Document 4 Filed 09/30/08 Page 1 of 2
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First, a next friend must provide an adequate explanation – such as

inaccessibility, mental incompetency, or other disability – why the

real party in interest cannot appear on his own behalf to prosecute

the action. Second, the next friend must be truly dedicated to the

best interests of the person on whose behalf he seeks to litigate and

it has been further suggested that a next friend must have some

significant relationship with the real party in interest. The burden is

on the next friend clearly to establish the propriety of his status and

thereby justify the jurisdiction of the court.

Id at 163-64 (citations omitted). Petitioner has not established that his son Kevin

Woodruff cannot appear on his own behalf to prosecute the action. Kevin

Woodruff has himself challenged his conviction via sections 2241 and 2255

more than once. Petitioner's desire to litigate on behalf of his son is not enough.

Petitioner's implied request for next friend status is DENIED and the

petition is DISMISSED for lack of standing. See id; see also 28 USC § 2242 (An

"[a]pplication for a writ of habeas corpus shall be in writing signed and verified

by the person for whose relief it is intended or by someone acting in his behalf.").

The clerk shall enter judgment in favor of respondents, terminate all

pending motions as moot and close the file.

SO ORDERED.

 

 

VAUGHN R WALKER

United States District Chief Judge 

G:\PRO-SE\VRW\HC.08\Woodruff, R1.dismissal.wpd 

Case 3:08-cv-04045-VRW Document 4 Filed 09/30/08 Page 2 of 2