Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_07-cv-04885/USCOURTS-cand-4_07-cv-04885-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 320
Nature of Suit: Assault, Libel, and Slander
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

---

United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ANNIE R. SMITH,

Plaintiff,

 v.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,

et al.,

Defendants. /

No. C 07-04885CW

ORDER OF TRANSFER 

Plaintiff brings this lawsuit on behalf of her grandson, a

minor, alleging that Defendants violated his civil rights under

various federal statutes. The events giving rise to this action

all occurred in the Western District of North Carolina. None of

the parties reside in the Northern District of California, and

there is no connection between the Northern District of California

and the cause of action. On November 6, 2007, the Court issued an

order directing Plaintiff to show cause why this lawsuit should not

be dismissed or transferred for improper venue. Plaintiff filed a

response to this order on November 26, 2007.

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b), when jurisdiction is not

based solely on diversity of citizenship, an action may be brought

only in: (1) the district in which any defendant resides, if all of

the defendants reside in the same state; (2) the district in which

a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the

Case 4:07-cv-04885-CW Document 9 Filed 12/11/07 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 2

claim occurred, or a substantial part of the property that is the

subject of the action is situated; or (3) a judicial district in

which any defendant may be found, if there is no district in which

the action may otherwise be brought. When venue is improper, a

district court may dismiss the case or, if it is in the interest of

justice, transfer the case to any other district in which it could

have been brought. 28 U.S.C. § 1406(a). A district court may

raise the issue of venue sua sponte. See Costlow v. Weeks, 790

F.2d 1486, 1488 (9th Cir. 1986).

Plaintiff’s response to the Court’s order to show cause does

not argue that venue is proper under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b), but

rather argues that the Western District of North Carolina is

steeped in a legacy of discrimination and that the judge assigned

to her case in that district is biased against her. Even if true,

these allegations do not give the Court the authority to entertain

this lawsuit.

It is clear from the complaint that Plaintiff’s claims arise

from events that occurred outside of the Northern District of

California. Venue is therefore improper in this district, and the

Court hereby TRANSFERS this action to the Western District of North

Carolina. Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis (Docket

No. 3) is referred to the judge assigned to the case following

transfer.

Dated: 12/11/07 

CLAUDIA WILKEN

United States District Judge

Case 4:07-cv-04885-CW Document 9 Filed 12/11/07 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 3

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SMITH et al,

Plaintiff,

 v.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION et al,

Defendant. /

Case Number: CV07-04885 CW 

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I, the undersigned, hereby certify that I am an employee in the Office of the Clerk, U.S. District Court,

Northern District of California.

That on December 11, 2007, I SERVED a true and correct copy(ies) of the attached, by placing said

copy(ies) in a postage paid envelope addressed to the person(s) hereinafter listed, by depositing said

envelope in the U.S. Mail, or by placing said copy(ies) into an inter-office delivery receptacle located

in the Clerk's office.

Annie R. Smith

5906 Barrington Drive

Charlotte, NC 28215

Dated: December 11, 2007

Richard W. Wieking, Clerk

By: Sheilah Cahill, Deputy Clerk

Case 4:07-cv-04885-CW Document 9 Filed 12/11/07 Page 3 of 3