Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-05956/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-05956-2/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

ROBERT W. PORTER, JR.,

Petitioner,

v.

DORRAL G. ADAMS, Warden,

Respondent.

 /

CV F 04-5956 AWI WMW HC 

ORDER DENYING APPLICATION FOR

CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY

(Document #15)

Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. 

On January 3, 2007, the court adopted the Magistrate Judge’s Findings and

Recommendations and, denied Petitioner’s petition for writ of habeas corpus, and entered

judgment was entered in favor of Respondent. On January 16, 2007, Petitioner filed a notice of

appeal and an application for a certificate of appealability

A state prisoner seeking a writ of habeas corpus has no absolute entitlement to appeal a

district court’s denial of his petition, and an appeal is only allowed in certain circumstances. 

Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 335-36 (2003). The controlling statute is 28 U.S.C. § 2253,

which provides as follows:

 (a) In a habeas corpus proceeding or a proceeding under section 2255 before a district

judge, the final order shall be subject to review, on appeal, by the court of appeals for the

circuit in which the proceeding is held.

 (b) There shall be no right of appeal from a final order in a proceeding to test the validity

of a warrant to remove to another district or place for commitment or trial a person

charged with a criminal offense against the United States, or to test the validity of such

person's detention pending removal proceedings.

 (c)(1) Unless a circuit justice or judge issues a certificate of appealability, an appeal may

not be taken to the court of appeals from–

 (A) the final order in a habeas corpus proceeding in which the detention complained of

Case 1:04-cv-05956-AWI-WMW Document 17 Filed 03/16/07 Page 1 of 2
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arises out of process issued by a State court; or

 (B) the final order in a proceeding under section 2255.

 (2) A certificate of appealability may issue under paragraph (1) only if the applicant has

made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right.

 (3) The certificate of appealability under paragraph (1) shall indicate which specific issue

or issues satisfy the showing required by paragraph (2).

If the court denies a Petitioner’s petition, the court may only issue a certificate of appealability “if

jurists of reason could disagree with the district court's resolution of his constitutional claims or

that jurists could conclude the issues presented are adequate to deserve encouragement to

proceed further.” Miller-El, 537 U.S. at 327; Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000). 

 While Petitioner, is not required to prove the merits of his case, he must demonstrate “something

more than the absence of frivolity or the existence of mere good faith on his . . . part.” Miller-El,

537 U.S. at 337-38. 

In this case, the court finds that jurists of reason would not disagree with the court’s

finding that Petitioner’s due process rights were not violated at the prison disciplinary hearing. 

While Petitioner was denied witnesses, the hearing officer accepted Petitioner’s testimony as to

what these witnesses would have said had then been present. Accordingly, the court finds that

Petitioner has not made the required substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right. 

Accordingly, the court DECLINES to issue a certificate of appealability.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 16, 2007 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

0m8i78 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:04-cv-05956-AWI-WMW Document 17 Filed 03/16/07 Page 2 of 2