Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-06244/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-06244-0/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KENNETH M. DOUGLAS, 

Petitioner,

vs.

JAMES E. TILTON, Secretary, Youth &

Adult Correction Agency

Respondent. 

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No. C 06-6244 JSW (PR) 

TRANSFER ORDER

(Docket No. 3)

Petitioner, a prisoner incarcerated at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga,

California, has filed a petition for a writ of habeas. The petition does not challenge his

incarceration on an underlying criminal conviction, but instead challenges the failure of

the prison facility to provide him with credits toward his sentence based on his

participation in the Inmate Work Training Incentive Program. Pleasant Valley State

Prison is located in Fresno County, which lies within the venue of the Eastern District of

California. See 28 USC § 84(b). 

Venue is proper in a habeas action in either the district of conviction or the district

of confinement, see id § 2241(d). However, federal courts in California traditionally

have chosen to hear petitions challenging a conviction or sentence in the district of

conviction. See Dannenberg v. Ingle, 831 F. Supp. 767, 767 (N.D. Cal. 1993); Laue v.

Nelson, 279 F. Supp. 265, 266 (N.D. Cal. 1968). If the petition is directed to the manner

in which a sentence is being executed, e.g., if it involves parole or time credits claims,

the district of confinement is the preferable forum. See Habeas L.R. 2254-3(a); Dunne v.

Case 3:06-cv-06244-JSW Document 4 Filed 10/17/06 Page 1 of 2
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Henman, 875 F.2d 244, 249 (9th Cir. 1989).

Because the County of Fresno lies in the Eastern District of California, the Court

ORDERS that pursuant to 28 USC § 1404(a) and Habeas LR 2254-3(b), and in the

interest of justice, this petition be TRANSFERRED to the United States District Court

for the Eastern District of California. Because this Court is transferring Petitioner’s, it

will not resolve the pending motion seeking in forma pauperis status (docket no. 3).

The Clerk of the Court is directed to transfer this matter forthwith.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: October 17, 2006 _______________________

JEFFREY S. WHITE

United States District Judge

Case 3:06-cv-06244-JSW Document 4 Filed 10/17/06 Page 2 of 2