Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-02654/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-02654-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 380
Nature of Suit: Other Personal Property Damage
Cause of Action: 42:1983bv Bivens Non-Prisoner

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18cv02654 JAH (BGS)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JUDITH J. HOFFMAN,

Plaintiff ,

 v.

CITY OF SAN DIEGO, DAVID 

MILLER, Deputy City Attorney; 

RICHARDSON GRISWOLD, Receiver; 

and DOES 1-20,

Defendants

Case No.: 18cv02654 JAH (BGS)

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR 

TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER 

AND PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

INTRODUCTION

Plaintiff Judith J. Hoffman (“Hoffman” or “Plaintiff”), proceeding pro se, filed a 

pleading entitled “First Amended Complaint; Petition under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Civil Rights 

Action; and Petition for Emergency Injunctive Declaratory Relief” (“FAC”). Doc. No. 3. 

On February 6, 2019, she filed an ex parte application for a Temporary Restraining Order 

(“TRO”). Doc. No. 18. After careful consideration and for the reasons set forth below, 

Plaintiff’s application for a TRO and preliminary injunction is DENIED. 

BACKGROUND

On June 14, 2017, the State of California and the City of San Diego (“City”) filed 

an action against Hoffman alleging numerous code violations; including insect and vermin 

infestation, improper maintenance, accumulation of debris and garbage, public nuisance, 

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poor electrical wiring, and inadequate exit facilities in violation of state and local law. Doc. 

No. 18 at 14-31. Plaintiff was identified as the “Responsible Person” and owner of the 

substandard property at issue. Id. at 15. Alleging in the Complaint that the conditions at 

the property are so extensive as to endanger the health and safety of Hoffman and the 

public, the State of California and the City requested the appointment of a receiver and a 

permanent injunction prohibiting Hoffman from maintaining or using the property. Id. at 

21-23. The City applied, ex parte, for appointment of Receiver Richardson Griswold, 

which the court granted.

1 Doc. No. 11-1, at 1, 2. On November 13, 2018, the court 

authorized Griswold to list Plaintiff’s property for sale to recover expenses. Id. The two 

remaining causes of action for violations of civil and municipal codes are set for trial on 

July 19, 2019. Doc. Nos. 18 at 62, 70. 

On November 20, 2018, Hoffman, proceeding pro se, filed a civil rights action 

pursuant to 42 USC §1983 against Deputy City Attorney Miller and appointed Receiver 

Griswold in District Court for the Southern District of California. Doc. No. 1. On 

November 28, 2018, Plaintiff filed an amended pleading entitled “First Amended 

Complaint; Petition under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Civil Rights Action; and Petition for 

Emergency Injunctive Declaratory Relief” (“FAC”), and added the City of San Diego as a 

Defendant. Doc. No. 3. In the prayer for relief, Plaintiff requests the issuance of “an 

extraordinary...TRO to protect Plaintiff’s right to trial and ensure constitutional 

protections, guarantees, rights, and privileges and or immunities are protected.” Doc. No. 

3. In addition, she asks this Court to issue a stay against the State of California and the City 

of San Diego to prevent the sale of her property and any other such relief the Court deems

appropriate.

 

1 The State court’s order granting appointment of a receiver was affirmed on appeal. See Doc. No. 18 at 

62-63.

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Shortly after summons were issued, the case was reassigned to this Court pursuant 

to Local Rule 40.1. Doc. No. 5. Summons were returned executed and Defendants filed 

motions to dismiss Plaintiff’s FAC. See Doc. Nos. 10-12. 

On February 6, 2019, Plaintiff filed an Ex Parte Emergency Application for a 

Temporary Restraining Order. Plaintiff discusses the ongoing public nuisance litigation

while referencing various legal principles, such as “double jeopardy” and the “Blockburger 

test.” She refers to the state action as a “malicious prosecution” and asserts that the State, 

local government, and Receiver have employed an abusive and unconstitutional exercise 

of authority. Plaintiff argues that the government’s “nuisance” allegation is 

unconstitutionally vague, her freedom of expression is being infringed upon, and contends 

generally that the assertions alleged by the government in the state court action are false 

and unfounded. She petitions this Court for an extraordinary TRO to “protect evidence of 

the abuse of authority,” to “ensure constitutional protections,” and for issuance of a stay to 

impede further government action against her. 

DISCUSSION

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2283, “[a] court of the United States may not grant an 

injunction to stay proceedings in a State court except as expressly authorized by Act of 

Congress, or where necessary in aid of its jurisdiction, or to protect or effectuate its 

judgments.” 28 U.S.C. § 2283; see also Younger v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37 (1971) (holding 

that federal courts should abstain from granting injunctive relief that would interfere with 

state judicial proceedings, criminal or civil). The ongoing state-court proceedings afford 

Plaintiff an adequate opportunity to raise her constitutional claims. See Moore v. Sims, 442 

U.S. 415, 430 (1979). 

Accordingly, the Court lacks jurisdiction to grant the relief requested. Plaintiff’s 

application for a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction is DENIED. 

DATED: February 11, 2019 ________________________________

HON. JOHN A. HOUSTON

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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