Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-00098/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-00098-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2254 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (State)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

GERROD LONZELL HERNDON, 

Petitioner, 

v. 

CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT, 

Respondent. 

No. 2:16-cv-0098-EFB P 

ORDER 

 Petitioner is a state prisoner without counsel seeking a writ of habeas corpus. He seeks 

leave to proceed in forma pauperis. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). Examination of the in forma 

pauperis affidavit reveals that petitioner is unable to afford the costs of suit. Therefore, the 

request is granted. To proceed further, however, petitioner must file an amended petition. 

 Under Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases, the court must review all 

petitions for writ of habeas corpus and summarily dismiss any petition if it is plain that the 

petitioner is not entitled to relief. The court requires that all petitions for writs of habeas corpus 

be filed on the proper form, which is provided by this court. L.R. 190(b); see also Rule 2(c)-(d), 

Fed. R. Governing § 2254 Cases. Here, petitioner has not used the proper form and his grounds 

for relief cannot be readily identified. The court cannot determine from the filing the nature of 

petitioner’s intended grounds for relief or discharge its duty under Rule 4. See L.R. 190(e); Rule 

2(c), Fed. R. Governing § 2254 Cases. To proceed, petitioner must file an amended petition on 

the proper form and clearly identify his intended claims for relief. 

Case 2:16-cv-00098-EFB Document 7 Filed 06/06/16 Page 1 of 2
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 In addition, the court notes that petitioner has named the California Supreme Court as 

respondent. A petitioner seeking a writ of habeas corpus must name as respondent the person 

having custody over him. 28 U.S.C. § 2242; Rule 2(a), Fed. R. Governing § 2254 Cases. This 

person ordinarily is the warden of the facility where petitioner is confined. See Stanley v. 

California Supreme Court, 21 F.3d 359, 360 (9th Cir. 1994). Because petitioner has not named 

the proper respondent, petitioner will be provided leave to amend to correct this technical defect. 

See Stanley, 21 F.3d at 360. 

 Accordingly, it is ORDERED that: 

 1. The petition (ECF No. 1) is dismissed with leave to file an amended petition within 30 

days of the date of this order. Any amended petition must be filed on the form employed by this 

court and must state all claims and prayers for relief on the form. It must bear the case number 

assigned to this action and must bear the title “Amended Petition.” Petitioner is cautioned that 

failure to file an amended petition pursuant to this order may result in the dismissal of this action; 

 2. Petitioner’s application to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 5) is granted; and 

3. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send petitioner the court’s form for application for 

writ of habeas corpus. 

DATED: June 6, 2016. 

Case 2:16-cv-00098-EFB Document 7 Filed 06/06/16 Page 2 of 2