Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_24-cv-01500/USCOURTS-caed-2_24-cv-01500-2/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

ROBERT HENRY TESSMER, JR,

Petitioner,

v.

STEVE SMITH, Acting Warden,

Respondent.

Case No. 2:24-cv-1500 CSK P

[PROPOSED] ORDER

Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding pro se. On November 26, 2024, respondent filed a 

request for leave to file a late responsive pleading. Respondent seeks an additional thirty days to 

file a responsive pleading due to a calendaring error.

On September 16, 2024, the Court ordered respondent to file a responsive pleading within 

sixty days. (ECF No. 8.) The responsive pleading was due on or before November 15, 2024. 

Thus, respondent’s request for extension of time was filed after the deadline expired. While the 

Court will grant respondent’s late request, respondent is cautioned that failure to timely meet 

court deadlines in the future may result in the imposition of sanctions.1

 See Local Rule 110. 

1

 Petitioner is advised that it is settled law that default judgments are not available in federal 

habeas corpus actions. See Gordon v. Duran, 895 F.2d 610, 612 (9th Cir. 1990) (failure of the 

state to file a timely response to petition “does not entitle the petitioner to a default judgment”); 

Blietner v. Wellborne, 15 F.3d 652, 653 (7th Cir. 1994) (“default judgments are disfavored in 

habeas corpus cases”) (collecting cases). 

Case 2:24-cv-01500-CSK Document 14 Filed 12/02/24 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

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Respondent’s late request to file a responsive pleading (ECF No. 13) is granted; and

2. Respondent shall file a responsive pleading within thirty days from the date of this 

order. 

Dated: December 2, 2024

/1/tess1500.eot

Case 2:24-cv-01500-CSK Document 14 Filed 12/02/24 Page 2 of 2