Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_20-cv-00103/USCOURTS-caed-2_20-cv-00103-0/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

STEVEN JEROME EASLEY, 

Petitioner, 

v. 

TYWANDA STRAIN/HALL, et al., 

Respondents. 

No. 2:20-cv-0103-EFB P 

ORDER 

 Petitioner is a county inmate without counsel. This action was opened when he filed a 

document labeled both a “writ of habeas corpus” and a “federal civil complaint.” ECF No. 1 at 1, 

12, 16. It is unclear whether he intends to proceed with this case as a habeas action pursuant to 

28 U.S.C. § 2254 or as a civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Habeas petitions and 

civil rights complaints provide exclusive vehicles for relief and may not be pursued concurrently 

in a single action. See Nettles v. Grounds, 830 F.3d 922, 931 (9th Cir. 2016) (holding that if a 

state prisoner’s claim would not necessarily lead to immediate or speedier release, it may not be 

brought in habeas corpus but must be brought, if at all, under § 1983). 

 Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that: 

1. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send petitioner the court’s forms for an 

application for writ of habeas corpus and for a civil rights complaint pursuant to 42 

U.S.C. § 1983. 

Case 2:20-cv-00103-KJM-EFB Document 4 Filed 01/28/20 Page 1 of 2
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2. Petitioner shall file either a petition for writ of habeas corpus or a civil rights 

complaint within 30 days of the date of this order. 

3. Failure to comply with this order may result in the dismissal of this action. 

DATED: January 27, 2020. 

Case 2:20-cv-00103-KJM-EFB Document 4 Filed 01/28/20 Page 2 of 2