Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01021/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01021-1/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)

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

EDWARD A. NOVELO, )

)

Petitioner, )

)

vs. )

)

JEANNE WOODFORD, )

)

Respondent. )

)

___________________________________ )

1:07-CV-1021-AWI WMW HC

ORDER DISMISSING

PETITION WITHOUT

PREJUDICE

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

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 2254. This court may entertain a petition for writ of habeas

corpus “in behalf of a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court only on the

ground that he is in custody in violation of the Constitution or laws or treaties of the United

States.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a). A habeas corpus petition is the correct method for a prisoner

to challenge “the very fact or duration of his confinement,” and where “the relief he seeks is a

determination that he is entitled to immediate release or a speedier release from that

imprisonment.” Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 489 (1973). In contrast, a civil rights

action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 is the proper method for a prisoner to challenge the

conditions of that confinement. In this case, Petitioner expressly states that he is not

Case 1:07-cv-01021-AWI-WMW Document 6 Filed 11/15/07 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 2

challenging his conviction. Rather Petitioner is challenging prison conditions, specifically,

the denial of visitation with his minor child. 

Accordingly, the proper vehicle for Petitioner to pursue his claims is through a civil

rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

Based on the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED as follows:

1) The petition for writ of habeas corpus is DISMISSED without prejudice to

Petitioner’s right to file an appropriate civil rights action; 

2) The Clerk of the Court is directed to send Petitioner the court’s form complaint for

civil rights cases; and

3) The Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to close this case.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 14, 2007 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

0m8i78 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:07-cv-01021-AWI-WMW Document 6 Filed 11/15/07 Page 2 of 2