Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_08-cv-00168/USCOURTS-cand-5_08-cv-00168-0/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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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Order of Dismissal

P:\PRO-SE\SJ.Jf\HC.08\Cash168disrem.wpd

NOT FOR CITATION

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RANDALL SCOTT CASH,

Petitioner,

 v.

ROBERT AYERS, et al., 

Respondents. /

No. C 08-0168 JF (PR)

ORDER OF DISMISSAL 

Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, seeks a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to

28 U.S.C. § 2254. In the petition, Petitioner challenges his medical care and treatment at San

Quentin State Prison. 

The Supreme Court has declined to address whether a challenge to a condition of

confinement may be brought under habeas. See Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 526 n.6

(1979); Fierro v. Gomez, 77 F.3d 301, 304 n.2 (9th Cir.), vacated on other grounds, 519 U.S.

918 (1996). However, the Ninth Circuit has held that “habeas jurisdiction is absent, and a 

§ 1983 action proper, where a successful challenge to a prison condition will not necessarily

shorten the prisoner’s sentence.” Ramirez v. Galaza, 334 F.3d 850, 859 (9th Cir. 2003)

(implying that claim, which if successful would “necessarily” or “likely” accelerate the

Case 5:08-cv-00168-JF Document 8 Filed 01/24/08 Page 1 of 3

**E-filed 1/24/08**
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Order of Dismissal 

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prisoner’s release on parole, must be brought in a habeas petition). The preferred practice in

the Ninth Circuit has been that challenges to conditions of confinement should be brought in

a civil rights complaint. See Badea v. Cox, 931 F.2d 573, 574 (9th Cir. 1991) (civil rights

action is proper method of challenging conditions of confinement); Crawford v. Bell, 599

F.2d 890, 891-92 & n.1 (9th Cir. 1979) (affirming dismissal of habeas petition on basis that

challenges to terms and conditions of confinement must be brought in civil rights complaint).

Accordingly, the Court will dismiss this habeas action because Petitioner’s claims do

not challenge the legality of his conviction or sentence. Instead, Petitioner’s claims concern

his medical care and treatment at San Quentin State Prison. Petitioner’s claims are more

appropriately addressed in a civil rights complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1983. The Court

notes that Petitioner has a pending civil rights complaint concerning similar claims against

one of the Defendants, in case no. C 07-6252 JF (PR). Petitioner may choose to file an 

amended complaint or additional documentation of his claims in his pending civil rights

action. 

 CONCLUSION

The instant petition for writ of habeas corpus is DISMISSED without prejudice. 

Petitioner may address his claims in his current civil rights action in case no. C 07-6252 JF

(PR). Petitioner shall include the case number to identify any documents he files with the

Court. The Clerk shall terminate any pending motions as moot and close the file.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: _______________ ___________________________________

JEREMY FOGEL

United States District Judge

1/24/08

Case 5:08-cv-00168-JF Document 8 Filed 01/24/08 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Order of Dismissal 

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A copy of this order was mailed to the following:

Randall Scott Cash

H-53400

San Quentin Prison

San Quentin, CA 94974

Case 5:08-cv-00168-JF Document 8 Filed 01/24/08 Page 3 of 3