Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_01-cv-06066/USCOURTS-caed-1_01-cv-06066-0/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

JOSEPH C. SPENCER,

Petitioner,

v.

C. A. LAWHORN,

Respondent.

 /

CV F 01-6066 OWW SMS HC

ORDER DIRECTING PETITIONER TO

INDICATE HOW HE WISHES TO PROCEED

WITH ACTION

Petitioner filed the instant case on August 17, 2001, as a petition for writ of habeas corpus

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Petitioner paid the $5.00 filing fee on October 10, 2001. By order

of February 11, 2002, the petition was dismissed, with leave to file an amended petition. After

several extensions of time, Petitioner filed an amended petition, which challenged the

circumstances of his parole hearing which was held in Humboldt County, located within the

venue of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Therefore, by

order of October 24, 2002, the action was transferred to the Northern District of California. 

After the transfer order was issued, Petitioner filed several documents in this Court,

including an application to proceed in forma pauperis, an amended complaint, and a motion to

amend the complaint, which were forwarded to the Northern District of California. The Northern

District reviewed the amended complaint which was docketed in that court on December 3, 2002,

and determined that Petitioner is challenging the conditions of his confinement at Avenal State

Case 1:01-cv-06066-OWW -SMS Document 28 Filed 05/20/05 Page 1 of 2
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 That order indicates that Petitioner has since been released from custody and has provided the court with

an address in Scotia, California in Humboldt County. 

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 The statutory filing fee for all civil actions except applications for writs of habeas corpus is $150.00. See

28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). The Court notes however that effective February 7, 2005, the filing fee has been increased to

$250.00. However, because this action was filed prior to February 7, 2005, the filing fee remains $150.00.

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Prison. The action was therefore transferred back to this Court on July 12, 2004.1 

Because this action was initially filed as a petition for writ of habeas corpus seeking to

challenge the execution of his sentence versus the conditions of his confinement, it is unclear

what relief Petitioner is attempting to pursue. Petitioner is advised however that he may not

challenge both the execution of his sentence and the conditions of his confinement in this case. 

He must chose one or the other. Further, if Petitioner is seeking relief by way of a civil rights

action filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1983, Petitioner must pay the $150.00 filing fee for this

action.2 If Petitioner is unable to pay the $150.00 filing fee, he may submit an application to

proceed in forma pauperis. 

Based on the foregoing, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order, Petitioner shall file a

response indicating how he wishes to proceed with this action and if he wishes to

proceed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1983, pay the appropriate filing fee or submit an

application to proceed in forma pauperis; 

2. The Clerk of Court is directed to forward an application to proceed in forma

pauperis to Petitioner; and

3. The failure to comply with this order will result in a recommendation that this

action be dismissed for failure to comply with a court order. Local Rule 11-110. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 19, 2005 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

icido3 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:01-cv-06066-OWW -SMS Document 28 Filed 05/20/05 Page 2 of 2