Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_06-cv-05994/USCOURTS-cand-5_06-cv-05994-0/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 Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

Lonny Bristow,

Plaintiff,

 v.

Editor, San Francisco Examiner,

Defendant. /

NO. C 06-05994 JW 

ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION TO

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS;

ORDER DISMISSING COMPLAINT

WITH PREJUDICE

I. INTRODUCTION

Lonny Bristow ("Plaintiff") brings this diversity action against the Editor of the San

Francisco Examiner ("Defendant") for breach of contract. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a), Plaintiff

has filed an Application to Proceed in Forma Pauperis based on his declaration of poverty. (Docket

Item No. 5.) For the reasons set forth below, the Court GRANTS Plaintiff's application and

DISMISSES the complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

II. DISCUSSION

A. Eligibility to Proceed In Forma Pauperis

Title 28 U.S.C. Section 1915(a)(1) provides that “Any court of the United States may

authorize the commencement, prosecution or defense of any suit, action or proceeding, civil or

criminal, or appeal therein, without prepayment of fees or security therefor, by a person who submits

an affidavit that includes a statement of all assets such prisoner possesses that the person is unable to

pay such fees or give security therefor.” Section 1915 further states that “such affidavit shall state

Case 5:06-cv-05994-JW Document 7 Filed 09/21/07 Page 1 of 4
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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the nature of the action, defense or appeal and affiant's belief that the person is entitled to redress.”

28 U.S.C. § 1915.

In this case, Plaintiff has declared under the penalty of perjury that he is not presently

employed and has no cash or assets of any value. (Docket Item No. 5.) Plaintiff further declares

that he does not own a car or a home. (Id.) Based on Plaintiff’s declaration of poverty, the Court

GRANTS Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed in Forma Pauperis.

B. Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B), the court shall dismiss the case at any time if the

court determines that it “is frivolous or malicious, fails to state a claim on which relief may be

granted, or seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. §

1915(e)(2)(B); See also Denton v. Hernandez, 504 U.S. 25, 27 (1992). Accordingly, the Court

proceeds to examine Plaintiff’s tendered Complaint.

Plaintiff alleges diversity jurisdiction. (Complaint at 1, hereafter, "Complaint," Docket Item

No. 1.) Under 28 U.S.C. 1331(a)(1), federal courts have jurisdiction over claims between citizens of

different states where the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.

1. Diversity of Citizenship

Plaintiff alleges breach of contract against the editor of San Francisco Examiner. Plaintiff is

a prisoner incarcerated at a correctional facility in Ohio. Defendant is the Editor of the San

Francisco Examiner, a California newspaper. Although citizenship is not specifically alleged, since

Plaintiff is proceeding pro se, the Court liberally construes the Complaint to allege Plaintiff is a

citizen of Ohio and Defendant a citizen of California.

2. Amount in Controversy

Plaintiff alleges damages resulting from Defendant's alleged failure to publish an ad stating

Plaintiff would assist readers to find discounts on airline tickets for a fee. (Complaint ¶ 2.) Plaintiff

alleges he paid $65 for the ad. (Id.) Plaintiff further alleges he suffered $75,000 in lost revenue

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For the Northern District of California

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from the alleged failure to print the ad. (Id. ¶ 6.) Plaintiff also alleges he suffered $1,000 in mental

distress. (Id. at 2.)

 In a diversity suit, courts look no farther than the pleadings to determine the amount in

controversy unless from the face of the pleadings, it is apparent, to a legal certainty, that the plaintiff

cannot recover the amount claimed. Kelly v. Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc., 377 F.3d 1034, 1037 (9th

Cir. 2004) (citations omitted). If it appears to a legal certainty that the claim cannot meet the

statutory threshold, the suit should be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. Id. (internal quotations

omitted). Under California law, damages from a breach of contract must be reasonably foreseeable.

Archdale v. American Intern. Specialty Lines Ins. Co., 154 Cal. App. 4th 449, 469 (Cal. Ct. App.

2007).

The Court finds that $75,000 in damages is not a reasonably foreseeable consequence of

failing to run an ad for which $65 was received. Therefore, it is apparent to a legal certainty that

Plaintiff cannot meet the amount in controversy requirement. The Court DISMISSES Plaintiff’s

complaint with prejudice.

III. CONCLUSION

The Court GRANTS Plaintiff's Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. However, the Court

DISMISSES Plaintiff's Complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction with prejudice. The Court

does not consider or rule on whether the Plaintiff may refile in any appropriate state court.

The Clerk shall close this file.

Dated: September 21, 2007 

JAMES WARE

United States District Judge

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT COPIES OF THIS ORDER HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO:

Lonny Briston

Ohio Correctional Facility

P. O. Box 45699

1724 St. Rt. 728

Lacasville, OH 45699

Dated: September 21, 2007 Richard W. Wieking, Clerk

By: 

Elizabeth Garcia

Courtroom Deputy

Case 5:06-cv-05994-JW Document 7 Filed 09/21/07 Page 4 of 4