Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-03175/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-03175-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 230
Nature of Suit: Rent, Lease, Ejectment
Cause of Action: 28:1331(a) Fed. Question: Real Property

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

U.S. BANK NATIONAL, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

 v.

NORLIN MERRITT, et al.,

Defendants. /

No. C 07-3175 SI

ORDER DENYING DEFENDANTS’

MOTION FOR A TEMPORARY

RESTRAINING ORDER

On June 15, 2007, pro se defendants Norlin and Maria Merritt filed in this Court a “Notice of

Removal,” a document titled “TRO,” and various other documents. The underlying action appears to

be a state-court unlawful detainer action, pending in Marin County Superior Court since at least May

4, 2007. The TRO document, which is unsworn, states that defendants are conspiring to steal

defendants’ property, knowing they have no standing because the note they are acting on was sold or

is counterfeit. Defendants state that they have contacted the Marin County District Attorney’s Office

and the FBI regarding alleged criminal acts by plaintiffs and others, and that defendants seek a TRO,

apparently to stay the state court proceedings “pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.”

Defendants’ papers do not present any facts which would support its issuance, and accordingly

the Court DENIES the motion for a temporary restraining order. 

The Court further has serious questions whether there is any basis for removal of what is

apparently a state-court unlawful detainer action to federal court and whether, in any event, it is

untimely. The Notice of Removal states that defendants are “respectfully requesting moving from

Superior Court Marin County to Federal Court due to Superior Court moving forward without proper

notice to me of scheduled hearings and sealing the file as confidential and stopping me access.” The

Case 3:07-cv-03175-SI Document 8 Filed 06/15/07 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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papers attached include a statement that on May 8, 2007 defendants were hand-served a summons and

“unlawful detainer/eviction” papers. The papers also include a mailed notice, dated May 4, 2007,

concerning the unlawful detainer papers. Thus defendants were apparently on notice of the pendency

of the Marin County action for over 30 days prior to filing this action, making the removal untimely

under 28 U.S.C. 1446. 

Defendants also seek to proceed in forma pauperis, but their Application to Proceed In Forma

Pauperis states that defendant Norlin Merrit earns a monthly salary of $10,000 gross and $4,000 net and

that defendants have a net bank account balance of $2000. They do not appear to be unable to pay the

Court’s filing fee ($350). The application is therefore DENIED.

The Court advises defendants that if they wish to try to proceed with this action in this Court,

they must serve a copy of all papers on plaintiffs, and must also file a copy of the Notice of Removal

in state court where the action is pending. See generally 28 U.S.C. § 1446.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 15, 2007 

SUSAN ILLSTON

United States District Judge

Case 3:07-cv-03175-SI Document 8 Filed 06/15/07 Page 2 of 2