Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_06-cv-01270/USCOURTS-casd-3_06-cv-01270-0/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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- 1 - 06cv1270

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RANDAL RUIZ,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 06cv1270 JM(RBB)

ORDER DENYING MOTION TO

vs. SEAL

CAPTAIN ESQUIBEL, et al.,

Defendant.

On or about June 6, 2006 Plaintiff filed a complaint pursuant to the Civil Rights

Act accompanied by a motion to seal the complaint (“Motion”). Plaintiff seeks to seal

the complaint on the grounds that he has “rights regarding personal information . . . as

well as an interest in his personal safety.” (Motion at p.1:19-22). Besides these

generalized claims to privacy and safety, Plaintiff fails to articulate how is safety or

privacy is threatened if the complaint is made part of the public record. 

The first amendment recognizes a general right to inspect and copy public records

and documents, including judicial documents and records. See Nixon v. Wagner

Communications, 435 U.S. 589, 597 (1978). In order to place a document under seal,

a party must set forth specific substantiated reasons for placing documents under seal.

A generalized claim, like that made by Plaintiff here, is insufficient to warrant the

placement of documents under seal.

/ / / 

/ / /

Case 3:06-cv-01270-JM-RBB Document 3 Filed 09/05/06 Page 1 of 2
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- 2 - 06cv1270

In sum, the motion to place the complaint under seal as well as all other

subsequent filings is denied without prejudice, subject to a further showing.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: September 5, 2006

Hon. Jeffrey T. Miller

United States District Judge

cc: All parties 

Case 3:06-cv-01270-JM-RBB Document 3 Filed 09/05/06 Page 2 of 2