Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-00839/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-00839-0/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STEPFON JONES,

Petitioner,

v.

B. CATES, Warden,

Respondent.

No. 1:22-cv-00839-HBK (HC)

ORDER GRANTING LEAVE TO FILE A 

FIRST AMENDED PETITION

THIRTY DAY DEADLINE

On June 27, 2022, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 

2254. (Doc. No. 1). A preliminary screening of the petition reveals that it fails to comply with

Rule 2(c) of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases. Therefore, the Court will afford Petitioner 

an opportunity to file an amended petition before recommending dismissal of this action.

DISCUSSION

A. Preliminary Review of Petition

Rule 4 of the Rules Governing § 2254 Cases requires the Court to make a preliminary 

review of each petition for writ of habeas corpus. The Court must dismiss a petition "[i]f it 

plainly appears from the petition . . . that the petitioner is not entitled to relief." Rule 4 of the 

Rules Governing § 2254 Cases; see also Hendricks v. Vasquez, 908 F.2d 490, 491 (9th Cir. 1990). 

The Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 8 indicate that the Court may dismiss a petition for writ 

of habeas corpus, either on its own motion under Rule 4, pursuant to the respondent’s motion to 

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dismiss, or after an answer to the petition has been filed. A petition for habeas corpus should not 

be dismissed without leave to amend unless it appears that no tenable claim for relief can be 

pleaded were such leave granted. Jarvis v. Nelson, 440 F.2d 13, 14 (9th Cir. 1971). 

B. Failure to State a Cognizable Federal Claim

The basic scope of habeas corpus is prescribed by statute. Title 28 U.S.C. § 2241(c)(3) 

provides that the writ of habeas corpus shall not extend to a prisoner unless “[h]e is in custody in 

violation of the Constitution or laws or treaties of the United States.” The Supreme Court has 

held that “the essence of habeas corpus is an attack by a person in custody upon the legality of 

that custody . . ..” Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 484 (1973). 

In addition to the above, Rule 2(c) of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases requires 

that the petition:

(1) Specify all the grounds for relief available to the petitioner;

(2) State the facts supporting each ground;

(3) State the relief requested;

(4) Be printed, typewritten, or legibly handwritten; and

(5) Be signed under penalty of perjury by the petitioner or by a person authorized to sign 

it for the petitioner under 28 U.S.C. § 2242.

Further, 28 U.S.C. § 2242 requires a petitioner to allege the facts concerning the petitioner’s 

commitment or detention. 

To the extent discernable, the Petition asserts error by the trial judge in using certain jury 

instructions, which resulted in violation of Petitioner’s due process rights under the Fifth, Sixth, 

and Fourteenth Amendments. (See Doc. No. 1 at 5-8). However, Petitioner fails to state with 

specificity which jury instruction is at issue, and how it violated his due process rights. Because 

Petitioner fails to specify his ground(s) for relief and facts supporting his ground(s) as required 

under Rule 2(c), the Petition fails to state a cognizable federal habeas claim and is subject to 

dismissal. Petitioner will be granted an opportunity to file a First Amended Petition curing these 

deficiencies if he is able. Petitioner is advised that he should caption his pleading, “First 

Amended Petition,” and he should use the instant case number. Failure to comply with this order 

will result in dismissal of the action.

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Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED:

1. Within thirty days (30) from the date of service of this Order, Petitioner shall file a First 

Amended Petition. 

2. If Petitioner fails to timely file a First Amended Petition the undersigned will recommend 

the Court dismiss the petition for the reasons set forth above and/or for Petitioner’s failure 

to prosecute this action. 

Dated: September 7, 2022 

HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:22-cv-00839-JLT-HBK Document 8 Filed 09/07/22 Page 3 of 3