Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_10-cv-02871/USCOURTS-cand-3_10-cv-02871-0/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MATTHEW A. LAWRIE,

Petitioner(s),

vs.

WARDEN HEDGPETH, et al.,

Respondent(s). 

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No. C 10-2871 CRB (PR)

ORDER OF DISMISSAL

(Docket # 2)

Petitioner, a prisoner at Salinas Valley State Prison, has filed a pro se

petition for a writ of habeas corpus alleging inadequate medical care. He also

seeks leave to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915.

Based solely on his affidavit of poverty, petitioner's request to proceed in

forma pauperis (docket # 2) is GRANTED. But the petition for a writ of habeas

corpus is DISMISSED without prejudice to filing a civil rights complaint under

42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

Although the Supreme Court has not addressed 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), the Ninth Circuit has held that habeas jurisdiction is

absent, and a § 1983 action proper, where, as here, a successful challenge to a

prison condition will not necessarily shorten the prisoner’s sentence. Ramirez v.

Case 3:10-cv-02871-CRB Document 4 Filed 07/02/10 Page 1 of 2
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Galaza, 334 F.3d 850, 859 (9th Cir. 2003). In addition, the preferred practice in

the Ninth Circuit has been that challenges to conditions of confinement 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). 

The clerk shall send petitioner a prisoner civil rights complaint form, enter

judgment in accordance with this order, terminate all pending motions as moot,

and close the file. 

SO ORDERED.

DATED: July 2, 2010 

CHARLES R. BREYER

United States District Judge 

G:\PRO-SE\CRB\HC.10\Lawrie, M1.dismissal.wpd

Case 3:10-cv-02871-CRB Document 4 Filed 07/02/10 Page 2 of 2