Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-01598/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-01598-0/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

WILBERT J. ODEN

Plaintiff,

 vs.

DR. M. YANEZ, et al.,

Defendants. 

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No. C 06-1598 JSW (PR)

ORDER DISMISSING

COMPLAINT

(Docket no. 3) 

INTRODUCTION

Plaintiff, a prisoner at Salinas Valley State Prison, filed a letter in the United

States District Court for the Eastern District of California which was construed as a civil

rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and transferred to this Court. However,

Plaintiff filed an identical earlier letter, which was also transferred to this Court, under

Case No. C-06-0741 JSW (PR). In an order issued today, this Court dismissed the

earlier case with leave for Plaintiff to file an amended complaint on the Court’s civil

rights complaint form. Therefore, the instant case is DISMISSED as duplicative of

Plaintiff’s earlier filed complaint currently pending before this Court. Plaintiff’s

application to proceed in forma pauperis is DENIED as moot (docket no. 3). 

DISCUSSION

I Standard of Review

Federal courts must engage in a preliminary screening of cases in which prisoners

seek redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 

28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court must identify cognizable claims or dismiss the

Case 3:06-cv-01598-JSW Document 4 Filed 07/14/06 Page 1 of 2
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complaint, or any portion of the complaint, if the complaint "is frivolous, malicious, or

fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted," or "seeks monetary relief from a

defendant who is immune from such relief." Id. § 1915A(b). Pro se pleadings must be

liberally construed, however. Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep't, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th

Cir. 1990).

To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege two elements: 

(1) that a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States was violated, and

(2) that the alleged violation was committed by a person acting under the color of state

law. West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988).

II Duplicative Claims

A complaint that merely repeats pending or previously litigated claims may be

dismissed under the authority of 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Cato v. United States, 70 F.3d 1103,

1105 n.2 (9th Cir. 1995); Bailey v. Johnson, 846 F.2d 1019, 1021 (5th Cir. 1988). This

action is duplicative of an earlier complaint filed in this Court that is still pending and is

therefore DISMISSED.

CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons and good cause shown, Plaintiff’s action is

DISMISSED. The Clerk of Court shall enter judgment on this matter and close the file. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: July 14, 2006

 JEFFREY S. WHITE

United States District Judge

Case 3:06-cv-01598-JSW Document 4 Filed 07/14/06 Page 2 of 2