Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-01479/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-01479-13/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 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BRIAN JOSEPH STOLTIE,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-07-1479 MCE JFM P

vs.

ANA SOARES, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding in propria persona with a civil rights action

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

On August 11, 2008, plaintiff filed a motion to compel the CDCR-DMH to

provide plaintiff with meaningful access to an adequate law library or qualified legal assistance. 

(Id. at 3.) Plaintiff was transferred to the Salinas Valley Psychiatric Program which he alleges

does not have an adequate law library, provide inmates physical access to an adequate law library

or offer qualified legal assistance. (Id. at 1.) Plaintiff confirms he has access to a “computer

program with a very limited amount of legal reference books, and a ‘paging’ system for those

inmates who know exactly what forms they need.” (Id.)

The Supreme Court has held that “the fundamental constitutional right of access

to the courts requires prison authorities to assist inmates in the preparation and filing of

meaningful legal papers by providing prisoners with adequate law libraries or adequate assistance

from persons trained in the law.” Bounds v. Smith, 430 U.S. 817, 828, 97 S.Ct. 1491 (1977). 

However, 

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[a] prisoner contending that his right of access to the courts was

violated because of inadequate access to a law library must

establish two things: First, he must show that the access was so

limited as to be unreasonable. Second, he must show that the

inadequate access caused his actual injury, i.e., show a specific

instance in which [he] was actually denied access to the courts.

Vandelft v. Moses, 31 F.3d 794, 796-97 (9th Cir.1994). To prove actual injury, a prisoner must

demonstrate that the alleged shortcomings in the library or legal assistance program hindered

efforts to pursue a legal claim. Lewis v. Casey, 518 U.S. 343, 351 (1996). In Lewis, the court

gave examples of what constitutes actual injury. Id., 518 U.S. at 351. The examples include

having a complaint dismissed because of a failure to satisfy a technical requirement or being

unable to even file a complaint.

Plaintiff has failed to demonstrate actual injury. A review of this court’s docket

demonstrates that plaintiff has not been denied access to the courts. Plaintiff has filed two

motions since he was transferred. Plaintiff has not missed a deadline and his case is proceeding

to trial. Accordingly, plaintiff’s motion will be denied.

Finally, on August 18, 2008, plaintiff filed a motion in limine. This motion is

premature. Plaintiff is advised that motions in limine must be filed no earlier than seven days

prior to trial. Thus, the motion will be denied without prejudice to its renewal.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that 

1. Plaintiff’s August 11, 2008 motion (docket no. 60) is denied; and

2. Plaintiff’s August 18, 2008 motion in limine (docket no. 62) is denied without

prejudice.

DATED: August 25, 2008.

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/001; stol1479.ll

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