Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-02397/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-02397-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 290
Nature of Suit: Other Real Property Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1331(a) Fed. Question: Real Property

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOE NATHAN HOMER,

Plaintiff,

 v.

CREEK COUNTY COURT,

Defendant. /

No. C 07-02397 WHA

ORDER DISMISSING CASE FOR

LACK OF SUBJECT-MATTER

JURISDICTION

Plaintiff Joe Nathan Homer filed this action against defendant Creek County Court of

Salupa, Oklahoma in federal court on May 3, 2007, along with an application to proceed in

forma pauperis. Homer alleges that his deceased parents were swindled out of some land in

Oklahoma that his father had owned since 1898. Plaintiff seeks to recover the land and the

accompanying mineral rights and revenues. This Court does not have subject-matter

jurisdiction over this action because it does not arise under federal law. Accordingly, Homer’s

application to proceed in forma paurperis is DENIED, and this action must be DISMISSED. 

***

Homer alleges that his father, Emmett Homer, was granted some land by the United

States government at some time around 1898. It appears from the complaint that Homer’s

parents were introduced to a guardian who purported to sell the land for them but failed to

compensate them adequately. The Homers lost the land and any mineral rights and revenues

generated therefrom. It is unclear when these events happened, although Homer alleges that his

Case 3:07-cv-02397-WHA Document 8 Filed 08/27/07 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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father received the land in 1898, and died in 1965. The land in question is located in the state of

Oklahoma. It appears that all events related to the Homer’s loss of their land occurred in

Oklahoma as well. 

“Whenever it appears by suggestion of the parties or otherwise that the court lacks

jurisdiction of the subject matter, the court shall dismiss the action.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3). 

Federal courts have jurisdiction over “all civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws, and

treaties of the United States.” 28 U.S.C. 1331. A claim arises under federal law if federal law

creates the plaintiff’s claim, or if state law creates the claim and federal law creates a necessary

element of the plaintiff’s state law claim. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Thompson, 478

U.S. 804, 808–09 (1986). 

Homer alleges that this Court has jurisdiction over his claims because they arise under

the laws of the United States. Homer’s claims are best characterized as a land dispute, or

possibly a claim for common-law fraud against those responsible for taking his parents’ land. 

These claims simply do not arise under the laws of the United States. It is true that Homer has

alleged that his father received the land as part of a grant from the federal government. The

mere grant of land pursuant to a federal program, however, does not by itself present a federal

question for subject matter jurisdiction purposes. See Virgin v. County of San Luis Obispo, 201

F.3d 1141, 1143 (9th Cir. 2000). Homer’s situation is unfortunate, but his claims simply

present no federal question. Accordingly, this Court lacks jurisdiction over his claims, and this

action must be DISMISSED. Homer’s application to proceed in forma paurperis is DENIED. 

Plaintiff is advised that he may appeal the dismissal of this action to the United States

Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit but must file a notice of appeal within 30 days of the

entry of judgment against him. He must also timely file comply with all procedural

requirements of that court. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 27, 2007. WILLIAM ALSUP

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:07-cv-02397-WHA Document 8 Filed 08/27/07 Page 2 of 2