Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_06-cv-03729/USCOURTS-cand-5_06-cv-03729-0/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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Order of Dismissal

P:\pro-se\sj.jf\hc.06\Alford729dis 1

NOT FOR CITATION

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RICKEY LOUIS ALFORD,

a.k.a. MORRIS DAY, 

Petitioner,

 vs.

EVANS, Warden, et al., 

Respondents. 

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No. C 06-3729 JF (PR)

ORDER OF DISMISSAL

Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, filed a petition for a writ of habeas

corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. On November 16, 2006, Petitioner filed an

amended complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the Warden at Salinas Valley

State Prison and the Director of the California Department of Corrections and

Rehabilitation. On March 16, 2007, the Court dismissed the amended complaint with

leave to amend because it was unclear whether Petitioner intends to challenge the legality

of his conviction or sentence pursuant to § 2254 or file a civil rights complaint pursuant to

42 U.S.C. § 1983. Petitioner filed a second amended petition on April 23, 2007. In the

second amended petition, Petitioner raises claims of racial discrimination under the

Fourteenth Amendment based upon the equal protection of law and due process. See

**Original filed 5/1/07**

Case 5:06-cv-03729-JF Document 7 Filed 05/01/07 Page 1 of 3
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Order of Dismissal

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Amended Petition at 1. 

The Supreme Court has declined to address whether a challenge to a condition of

confinement may be brought under habeas. See Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 526 n.6

(1979); Fierro v. Gomez, 77 F.3d 301, 304 n.2 (9th Cir.), vacated on other grounds, 519

U.S. 918 (1996). However, the Ninth Circuit has held that “habeas jurisdiction is 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 (9th

Cir. 2003) (implying that claim, which if successful would “necessarily” or “likely”

accelerate the prisoner’s release on parole, must be brought in a habeas petition). The

preferred practice in the Ninth Circuit has been that challenges to conditions of

confinement should be brought in a civil rights complaint. See Badea v. Cox, 931 F.2d

573, 574 (9th Cir. 1991) (civil rights action is proper method of challenging conditions of

confinement); Crawford v. Bell, 599 F.2d 890, 891-92 & n.1 (9th Cir. 1979) (affirming

dismissal of habeas petition on basis that challenges to terms and conditions of

confinement must be brought in civil rights complaint).

Accordingly, the Court dismisses the instant habeas action because Petitioner’s

claims do not challenge the legality of his conviction or sentence. Instead, Petitioner

alleges claims of racial discrimination in violation of due process and equal protection

under the Fourteenth Amendment. Petitioner’s claims are more appropriately addressed

in a civil rights complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1983. 

 CONCLUSION

The instant habeas action is DISMISSED without prejudice. Petitioner may re-file

his claims in a new action under a civil rights complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1983 on

the enclosed form. The Clerk shall close the file.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: _______________ JEREMY FOGEL 

United States District Judge

4/30/07

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Order of Dismissal

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A copy of this ruling was mailed to the following:

Rickey Louis Alford

J-39242

CSP - Salinas Valley IV

P.O. Box 1060

Soledad, CA 93960

Case 5:06-cv-03729-JF Document 7 Filed 05/01/07 Page 3 of 3