Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_03-cv-06939/USCOURTS-caed-1_03-cv-06939-0/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ANDRE FRANK ANDREWS,

Plaintiff,

v.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF

CORRECTIONS, et. al.,

Defendants.

 /

CV F 03 6939 OWW SMS P

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

THAT THE MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY

INJUNCTIVE RELIEF BE DENIED (Doc. 12.) 

 Andre Frank Andrews (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma

pauperis in this civil rights action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

On July 14, 2005, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction wherein he seeks a

court order mandating that prison officials give him a special diet. The purpose of a preliminary

injunction is to preserve the status quo if the balance of equities so heavily favors the moving

party that justice requires the court to intervene to secure the positions until the merits of the

action are ultimately determined. University of Texas v. Camenisch, 451 U.S. 390, 395 (1981). 

A preliminary injunction is available to a plaintiff who “demonstrates either (1) a combination of

probable success and the possibility of irreparable harm, or (2) that serious questions are raised

and the balance of hardship tips in its favor.” Arcamuzi v. Continental Air Lines, Inc., 819 F. 2d

935, 937 (9th Cir. 1987). Under either approach the plaintiff “must demonstrate a significant

threat of irreparable injury.” Id. Also, an injunction should not issue if the plaintiff “shows no

chance of success on the merits.” Id. At a bare minimum, the plaintiff “must demonstrate a fair

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chance of success of the merits, or questions serious enough to require litigation.” Id.

“A federal court may issue an injunction if it has personal jurisdiction over the parties and

subject matter jurisdiction over the claim; it may not attempt to determine the rights of persons

not before the court.” Zepeda v. United States Immigration Service, 753 F.2d 719, 727 (9th Cir.

1985) (emphasis added). 

Here, the Complaint has yet to undergo a preliminary screening by the Court to determine

whether the Complaint states cognizable claims against the named defendants. Plaintiff is not

entitled to preliminary injunctive relief until such time as the court finds that his Complaint

contains cognizable claims for relief against the named defendants and the named defendants

have been served with the summons and complaint. At this juncture, Plaintiff’s Motion for

Preliminary Injunctive relief is premature. Plaintiff is cautioned to any further motions for

preliminary injunctive relief that are filed before defendants are served with process in this case

will be denied as premature. 

Based on the foregoing, the court HEREBY RECOMMENDS that the Motion for

Preliminary Injunctive Relief, filed on July 14, 2005, be DENIED, as premature. 

These Findings and Recommendations will be submitted to the United States District

Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within

THIRTY (30) days after being served with these Findings and Recommendations, plaintiff may

file written objections with the court. The document should be captioned “Objections to

Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations.” Plaintiff 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).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 1, 2005 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

icido3 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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