Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_08-cv-00325/USCOURTS-casd-3_08-cv-00325-6/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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- 1 - 08cv0325-LAB (POR)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ERIC WILTON BURTON, Civil No. 08cv0325-LAB (POR)

Petitioner, ORDER DENYING MOTION TO

COMPEL DISCOVERY

[Document No. 180]

v.

MATTHEW CATE, Secretary of California

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation,

Respondent.

On July 28, 2010, Petitioner filed a Motion to Compel Discovery of “material exculpatory

documents” by S. Jones. (Doc. 180.) 

“A habeas petitioner, unlike the usual civil litigant in federal court, is not entitled to

discovery as a matter of ordinary course.” Bracy v. Gramley, 520 U.S. 899, 903-05 (1997); see Rich

v. Calderon, 187 F.3d 1064, 1068 (9th Cir. 1999) (habeas petitioner does not enjoy presumptive

right to discovery that a traditional civil litigant does). “Rather, discovery is available only in the

discretion of the court and for good cause shown.” Rich, 187 F.3d at 1068. Discovery is

appropriate where specific allegations before the court show reason to believe the petitioner, may, if

the facts are fully developed, be able to demonstrate he is entitled to relief. Bracy, 520 U.S. at 908-

09.

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Case 3:08-cv-00325-LAB-POR Document 185 Filed 08/20/10 Page 1 of 2
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- 2 - 08cv0325-LAB (POR)

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In light of Petitioner’s failure to present specific allegations showing he may, if the facts are

fully developed, be able to demonstrate he is entitled to relief, the Court DENIES Petitioner’s

Motion to Compel Discovery without prejudice. Bracy, 520 U.S. at 908-09. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: August 20, 2010

LOUISA S PORTER

United States Magistrate Judge

cc: The Honorable Larry A. Burns

all parties

Case 3:08-cv-00325-LAB-POR Document 185 Filed 08/20/10 Page 2 of 2