Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-05878/USCOURTS-caed-1_04-cv-05878-29/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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U.S. District Court

 E. D. California 1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

)

JOHN E. JAMES, III., )

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Plaintiff, )

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v. )

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A. K. SCRIBNER, et al., )

) 

Defendants. )

____________________________________)

CV F- 04-5878 OWW DLB P 

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S

MOTIONS FOR PRELIMINARY

INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

(DOCS 125, 140)

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro per and in forma pauperis with a civil rights action

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. section 1983. 

This action is proceeding on plaintiff’s amended complaint filed January 4, 2005, claiming

excessive force was used against him by prison staff at Corcoran State Prison on July 16, 2003. On

November 14, 2005, plaintiff notified the Court that he had been transferred to Calipatria State

Prison. On August 1, 2006, the undersigned adopted the Magistrate Judge’s recommendation to

deny two motions for preliminary injunction filed by plaintiff requesting a transfer to federal custody

and a sworn declaration from J.S. Woodford (not a party to this action) that alleged harassment 

against him by Calipatria State Prison staff would stop. In denying these motions, the Court advised

plaintiff that it was unable to issue orders against individuals who are not parties to a suit pending

before it. See Zenith Radio Corp. v. Hazeltine Research, Inc., 395 U.S. 100 (1969). In addition,

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U.S. District Court

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plaintiff was advised that since the amended complaint in this case does not contain allegations

raising issues similar to those presented in the motions for preliminary injunction, there was no

controversy present with respect to such issues and, as a result, the court could not address either the

likelihood of success on the merits or whether there are serious questions going to the merits of

plaintiff’s claims. 

On April 28, 2006, plaintiff filed a third motion for preliminary injunction alleging that other

prisoners at Calipatria State Prison are endangering his life and that prison officials are restricting his

access to the law library. Plaintiff again requests a transfer to federal custody.

On July 11, 2006, plaintiff filed a fourth motion for preliminary injunctive relief alleging that

prison officials at Calipatria State Prison are restricting his access to the law library in retaliation for

prosecuting this lawsuit. Plaintiff also claims he has been mis-classified; his administrative appeals

have been mishandled and prison staff have displayed hostility toward him. Plaintiff requests that an

investigation be ordered by this Court; that prison officials at Calipatria State Prison be ordered to

process his appeals as staff complaints; that all future incidents between himself and prison officials

be viewed as retaliatory; and that he be transferred to federal custody.

Defendants filed oppositions to the motions on October 11, 2006. 

DISCUSSION 

As plaintiff was previously advised in connection with his prior motions for preliminary

injunction in which he requested similar relief, the court is unable to issue any order against

individuals who are not parties to a suit pending before it. Zenith Radio Corp. v. Hazeltine

Research, Inc., 395 U.S. 100 (1969). In the instant action, plaintiff claims excessive force was used

against him by prison staff at Corcoran State prison on July 16, 2003. He is no longer incarcerated at

Corcoran State Prison. In his current motions for preliminary injunction, plaintiff seeks relief from

“Calipatria State Prison Officials” relating to alleged conditions occurring at that institution. 

Plaintiff’s motion fails to link any alleged conduct or harm to parties named in this action, who are

staff at Corcoran State Prison. In addition, plaintiff’s amended complaint neither contains a cause of

action for similar permanent injunctive relief nor contains claims relating to the same or similar

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U.S. District Court

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issues. Because the federal court is a court of limited jurisdiction, as a threshold matter, the court

must have before it a case or controversy. Flast v. Cohen, 392 U.S. 83, 88 (1968). Absent such a

case or controversy, the court has no power to hear the matter. Rivera v. Freeman, 469 F.2d 1159,

1162-1163 (9th Cir. 1972). Since the amended complaint in this case does not contain allegations

raising issues similar to those presented in the instant motion, there is no controversy present with

respect to such issues and, as a result, the court cannot address either the likelihood of success on the

merits or whether there are serious questions going to the merits of plaintiff’s claims.

Plaintiff is again advised that the court cannot issue orders that do not remedy the claims

alleged in this action. Thus, plaintiff is not entitled to orders that, rather than serving to remedy the

claims in this action, serve to allow plaintiff to litigate this action more effectively. Plaintiff is

cautioned to any further motions for preliminary injunctive relief seeking orders that do not remedy

the claims alleged in this action, will be denied. 

For the foregoing reasons, plaintiff’s motions for preliminary injunctive relief, filed April 28,

2006 and July 11, 2006 are HEREBY DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 19, 2007 /s/ Oliver W. Wanger 

emm0d6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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