Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_22-cv-00379/USCOURTS-caed-2_22-cv-00379-2/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

ROBERT EUGENE ROJAS,

Plaintiff,

v.

SACRAMENTO COUNTY SUPERIOR 

COURT, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 2:22-CV-0379-KJM-DMC-P

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Plaintiff, a prisoner proceeding pro se, brings this civil rights action pursuant to 

42 U.S.C. § 1983. Pending before the Court is Plaintiff’s motion, ECF No. 6, for injunctive 

relief. 

The legal principles applicable to requests for injunctive relief, such as a 

temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, are well established. To prevail, the 

moving party must show that irreparable injury is likely in the absence of an injunction. See

Stormans, Inc. v. Selecky, 586 F.3d 1109, 1127 (9th Cir. 2009) (citing Winter v. Natural Res. 

Def. Council, Inc., 129 S.Ct. 365 (2008)). To the extent prior Ninth Circuit cases suggest a lesser 

standard by focusing solely on the possibility of irreparable harm, such cases are “no longer 

controlling, or even viable.” Am. Trucking Ass’ns, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles, 559 F.3d 1046, 

1052 (9th Cir. 2009). Under Winter, the proper test requires a party to demonstrate: (1) he is 

Case 2:22-cv-00379-DJC-DMC Document 10 Filed 09/13/22 Page 1 of 2
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likely to succeed on the merits; (2) he is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of an 

injunction; (3) the balance of hardships tips in his favor; and (4) an injunction is in the public 

interest. See Stormans, 586 F.3d at 1127 (citing Winter, 129 S.Ct. at 374). The court cannot, 

however, issue an order against individuals who are not parties to the action. See Zenith Radio 

Corp. v. Hazeltine Research, Inc., 395 U.S. 100, 112 (1969). Moreover, if an inmate is seeking 

injunctive relief with respect to conditions of confinement, the prisoner’s transfer to another 

prison renders the request for injunctive relief moot, unless there is some evidence of an 

expectation of being transferred back. See Prieser v. Newkirk, 422 U.S. 395, 402-03 (1975); 

Johnson v. Moore, 948 F.3d 517, 519 (9th Cir. 1991) (per curiam).

In his motion, Plaintiff seeks an order preventing prison officials from “depriving 

funds” for an investigator. See ECF No. 6. Plaintiff has not, however, explained how denial of 

funding for an investigator would result in irreparable injury. Nor has Plaintiff identified at this 

early stage of the proceedings (before the complaint has been screened) that he has any 

particularly likelihood of success on the merits. Finally, to the extent Plaintiff has sufficient 

funds in his prison trust account or from other non-public sources, Plaintiff has not explained how 

prison officials would be able to bar Plaintiff from using those funds to pay for a private 

investigator or any other services in furtherance of his litigation.

Based on the foregoing, the undersigned recommends that Plaintiff’s motion, ECF 

No. 6, for injunctive relief be denied.

These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District 

Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within 14 days 

after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections 

with the Court. Responses to objections shall be filed within 14 days after service of objections. 

Failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal. See Martinez v. 

Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).

Dated: September 12, 2022

____________________________________

DENNIS M. COTA

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:22-cv-00379-DJC-DMC Document 10 Filed 09/13/22 Page 2 of 2