Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-02829/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-02829-0/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 that petition the following are named as respondents: Placer County, Placer County 1

Superior Court, Placer County Sheriff’s Department, Placer County District Attorney’s Office;

Steven Dragland of the Placer County District Attorney’s Office, Carl Mayhew, Placer County

Public Defender’s Office, Nicole Valintine and “Unidentified Placer Employees 1-15.” 

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOHN KENT,

Petitioner, No. CIV S-09-2829 DAD P

vs.

PLACER COUNTY, et al., ORDER AND 

Respondents. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 /

Petitioner has filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §

2241(c)(5). (Doc. No. 1) Over a short period of time petitioner has also filed five amended

habeas petitions with the court. (Doc. Nos. 5-8, 10.) Each of the petitions concern a citation

issued to petitioner on October 13, 2005 by the California Contractors State License Board for

contracting without a contractor’s license. Because petitioner’s fifth, and latest, amended

petition filed February 1, 2010 appears to be the most complete in and of itself, the court hereby

deems the fifth amended petition as the operative habeas petition in this action. (Doc. No. 10.) 

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Petitioner alleges that on October 13, 2005, he was arrested, released, and

provided a Notice to Appear requiring him to appear on December 2, 2005 before the Placer

County Justice Court. (Doc. No. 10 at 3.) Petitioner alleges that although he appeared at that

time, he was told by the “Clerk of the Placer County Superior Criminal Division” that he was not

on the docket and also by the Placer County District Attorney’s Office that there were no current

criminal charges pending against him. Petitioner raises the following grounds for federal habeas

relief: (1) petitioner’s property right to sell his labor and personal services have been violated

under the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause, (2) respondents detained petitioner

“longer than was necessary to cite and release him for a misdemeanor citation,” (3) respondents

denied petitioner a speedy and public trial in violation of the Sixth Amendment, (4) respondents

denied petitioner his fundamental right to due process under the Fourteenth Amendment and

right to a speedy trial under the Sixth Amendment, and (5) respondents denied petitioner the right

to counsel in violation of the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments. (Id. at 9-22.) Petitioner

requests that this court “review the statutes and precedent cases in support of the arguments made

on behalf of the petitioner, and conclude that, the respondents have not only violated the

petitioner’s Sixth Amendment rights, but his rights protected by the Fourteenth Amendment as

well.” (Id. at 22.)

The court is required to examine a petition for federal habeas corpus relief before

requiring a response to it. See Rules 1(b), 3 & 4, Rules Governing § 2254 Cases. “If it plainly

appears from the face of the petition . . . that the petitioner is not entitled to relief in the district

court, the judge shall make an order for its summary dismissal . . . .” Rule 4, Rules Governing §

2254 Cases. Rule 4 “‘explicitly allows a district court to dismiss summarily the petition on the

merits when no claim for relief is stated.’” O’Bremski v. Maass, 915 F.2d 418, 420 (9th Cir.

1990) (quoting Gutierrez v. Griggs, 695 F.2d 1195, 1198 (9th Cir. 1983)).

A habeas action may be filed by a prisoner who seeks to challenge the fact or

duration of his custody and where a determination of his action may result in the petitioner’s

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entitlement to release. See Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 484 (1973) (“It is clear, not only

from the language of [28 U.S.C.]§§ 2241(c)(3) and 2254(a), but also from the common-law

history of the writ, that the essence of habeas corpus is an attack by a person in custody upon the

legality of that custody, and that the traditional function of the writ is to secure release from

illegal custody. “) Here, petitioner is not in custody and has never been convicted of a criminal

offense according to the allegations of his petition. Moreover, by seeking a declaration by this

court that his rights were violated in connection with issuance of the citation in question,

petitioner seeks relief that is not available by way of a federal habeas action. Therefore, this

action should be summarily dismissed.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court is directed to

randomly assign this action to a District Judge.

Also, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that this action be summarily dismissed

because it plainly appears from the face of the petition that petitioner is not entitled to relief

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241.

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 twentyone days after being served with these findings and recommendations, petitioner may file written

objections with the court. The document should be captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge's

Findings and Recommendations.” Petitioner is advised that failure to file objections within the

specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951

F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).

DATED: July 28, 2010.

DAD:4

kent2829.156

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