Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-02417/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-02417-10/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JIM DEAN WOLFENBARGER, No. 2:03-cv-2417-MCE-EFB-P

Plaintiff, 

v. ORDER

VIRGINIA BLACK, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

Plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis with a civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 

§ 1983. On August 3, 2006, plaintiff filed a motion for a protective order, which the court

construes as a motion for a preliminary injunction. Plaintiff’s motion seeks an order enjoining

staff at Atascadero State Hospital, where plaintiff is housed, from denying him the possession

and storage of legal materials he alleges are necessary to prosecute his action and thereby

frustrating his access to the courts.

Plaintiff has the burden of demonstrating either probable success on the merits of his

claims and the possibility of irreparable injury, or serious questions regarding the merits and a

balance of hardships tipping sharply in his favor. Miss Universe, Inc v. Flesher, 605 F.2d 1130,

1134 (9th Cir. 1970). 

Case 2:03-cv-02417-MCE -EFB Document 93 Filed 03/27/07 Page 1 of 2
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Here, plaintiff has failed to meet his burden under either test. Indeed, the allegations in support

of his motion are unrelated to the claims in the complaint. Moreover, he seeks to enjoin persons

who are not parties to this action and had nothing to do with the allegations in the complaint,

which pertains to plaintiff’s detention at the Yuba County, California, jail. The complaint makes

no allegations as to the persons he seeks to enjoin by this motion, nor does it include allegations

as to his confinement at Atascadero State Hospital. Nothing he submitted in support of the

motion demonstrates a likelihood of success on the complaint, or even raises serious questions as

to the merits of the complaint.

Moreover, only parties or non-parties with notice who are shown to be in active concert

or participation with defendants may be enjoined under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65. 

Zenith Radio Corp. v. Hazeltine Research, Inc., 395 U.S. 100, 112 (1969). None of the staff at

Atascadero State Hospital are parties to the instant suit and plaintiff makes no showing that they

have acted in concert or participated with defendants to violate plaintiff’s rights. Plaintiff is not

entitled to a preliminary injunction against Atascadero State Hospital staff. 

For these reasons, plaintiff’s August 3, 2006, motion, styled as a “motion for protective

order” and construed as a motion for a preliminary injunction, is denied. 

Dated: March 26, 2007

________________________________

MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 2:03-cv-02417-MCE -EFB Document 93 Filed 03/27/07 Page 2 of 2