Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-00718/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-00718-0/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 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

LAMONT VERLYNN CLARK, 

Petitioner, 

v. 

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF 

CALIFORNIA, 

Respondent. 

No. 2:16-cv-0718-EFB P 

ORDER 

 Petitioner proceeds without counsel seeking a writ of habeas corpus. He seeks leave to 

proceed in forma pauperis. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). Examination of the in forma pauperis 

affidavit reveals that petitioner is unable to afford the costs of suit. Therefore, the request is 

granted. To proceed further, however, petitioner must file an amended petition. 

Under Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases, the court must review all 

petitions for writ of habeas corpus and summarily dismiss any petition if it is plain that the 

petitioner is not entitled to relief. The court requires that all petitions for writ of habeas corpus be 

filed on the proper form, which is provided by this court. E.D. Cal. L.R. 190(b); see also Rule 

2(c)-(d), Fed. R. Governing § 2254 Cases. Petitioner has not used the proper form and has not 

alleged that he is “in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254. 

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Case 2:16-cv-00718-EFB Document 4 Filed 04/07/16 Page 1 of 2
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Thus, the court cannot determine the nature of petitioner’s intended grounds for relief or 

discharge its duty under Rule 4. See E.D. Cal. L.R. 190(e); Rule 2(c), Fed. R. Governing § 2254 

Cases. To proceed, petitioner must file an amended petition on the proper form and clearly 

identify the judgment of conviction under attack and his intended claims for relief. Petitioner 

must properly complete the court’s form and respond to the questions asked therein. Although 

petitioner may submit a separate memorandum to support his petition for relief, the court’s 

application form must contain all relevant claims, and must provide the court with all necessary 

information. See E.D. Cal. L.R. 190(e); Rule 2(c), Fed. R. Governing § 2254 Cases. 

 Accordingly, it is ORDERED that: 

 1. The petition (ECF No. 1) is dismissed with leave to file an amended petition within 30 

days of the date of this order. Any amended petition must be filed on the form employed by this 

court and must state all claims and prayers for relief on the form. It must bear the case number 

assigned to this action and must bear the title “Amended Petition.” Petitioner is cautioned that 

failure to file an amended petition pursuant to this order may result in the dismissal of this action; 

 2. Petitioner’s application to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2) is granted; and 

3. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send petitioner the court’s form for application for 

writ of habeas corpus. 

DATED: April 7, 2016. 

Case 2:16-cv-00718-EFB Document 4 Filed 04/07/16 Page 2 of 2