Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00501/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00501-30/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RICHARD CHARLES HANNA,

Plaintiff,

v.

MARIPOSA COUNTY SHERIFF DEPT. 

et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:12-cv-00501-AWI-SAB

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS’ MOTION 

AND STRIKING DECLARATION OF RENEE 

RITTER 

(ECF Nos. 81, 83)

On December 20, 2013, Plaintiff filed a declaration by Renee Ritter. (ECF No. 81.) On 

December 31, 2013, Defendants filed a motion to strike the declaration as it was not executed 

under penalty of perjury as required by 28 U.S.C. § 1746(2). (ECF No. 83.) On January 10, 

2014, Judge Ishii referred the motion to the undersigned and the hearing was vacated. (ECF No. 

88.) On January 14, 2014, the undersigned issued an order finding the matter suitable for 

decision without a hearing and order Plaintiff to file any opposition to the motion within fourteen 

days. (ECF No. 89.) On January 23, 2014, Plaintiff filed a second declaration of Renee Ritter 

executed under penalty of perjury. (ECF No. 95.) 

Defendants move to have the declaration of Renee Ritter stricken from the record as it is 

not competent evidence since the declaration merely states “this is a true statement prepared by 

myself.” Section 1746 provides that an unsworn declaration that is signed under penalty of 

Case 1:12-cv-00501-SAB Document 103 Filed 02/18/14 Page 1 of 2
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perjury has the same force and effect as an affidavit. Hess v. Multnomah County, 211 F.R.D. 

403, 406 (D. Or. 2001). However, a declaration that is not signed under penalty of perjury is 

merely hearsay evidence and cannot be considered for the truth of the statements within. Finch v. 

Barnhart, 463 F.Supp.2d 1002, 1003 n.2 (C.D. Cal. 2006). 

Accordingly, Defendants motion to strike the declaration of Renee Ritter is HEREBY 

GRANTED and the declaration of Renee Ritter, filed December 20, 2013, is STRICKEN FROM 

THE RECORD.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 18, 2014 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:12-cv-00501-SAB Document 103 Filed 02/18/14 Page 2 of 2