Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-03051/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-03051-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1330 Breach of Contract

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JAMES BELL,

Plaintiff,

v.

FRANK PENNY LAW FIRM, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 2:16-cv-3051 JAM CKD PS

ORDER

Plaintiff is proceeding in this action pro se. Plaintiff has requested authority pursuant to 

28 U.S.C. § 1915 to proceed in forma pauperis. This proceeding was referred to this court by 

Local Rule 302(c)(21).

Plaintiff has submitted the affidavit required by § 1915(a) showing that plaintiff is unable 

to prepay fees and costs or give security for them. Accordingly, the request to proceed in forma 

pauperis will be granted. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).

In the complaint, plaintiff complains about monies that were used from the settlement of a 

civil action arising out of an auto accident. The complaint, however, does not allege a basis for 

subject matter jurisdiction in this court. The federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. In 

the absence of a basis for federal jurisdiction, plaintiff’s claims cannot proceed in this venue. 

Because there is no basis for federal subject matter jurisdiction evident in the complaint, plaintiff 

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Case 2:16-cv-03051-JAM-CKD Document 3 Filed 01/06/17 Page 1 of 2
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will be ordered to show cause why this action should not be dismissed. Failure to allege a proper 

basis for subject matter jurisdiction will result in a recommendation that the action be dismissed.

 Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s request to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2) is granted;

2. No later than January 20, 2017, plaintiff shall show cause why this action should not 

be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

Dated: January 6, 2017

4 bell3051.ifp-nosmj

_____________________________________

CAROLYN K. DELANEY

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:16-cv-03051-JAM-CKD Document 3 Filed 01/06/17 Page 2 of 2