Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00002/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00002-0/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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The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure are “applicable to habeas corpus proceedings to the extent that the practice 1

in such proceedings are not set forth in the statutes of the United States and has heretofore conformed to the practice of civil

actions.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 81(a)(2). Rule 11 also provides “the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, to the extent that they are not

inconsistent with these rules, may be applied, when appropriate, to the petitions filed under these rules.” Rule 11, Rules

Governing Section 2254 Cases. 

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

NATHANIEL ROYAL., ) 

)

)

Petitioner, )

)

)

v. )

)

S. KERNAN, Warden, )

)

 )

)

Respondent. )

___________________________________)

1:07-cv-00002-AWI-TAG HC

ORDER REQUIRING RESPONDENT TO

FILE RESPONSE TO PETITION

ORDER SETTING BRIEFING SCHEDULE

ORDER DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT

TO SERVE DOCUMENTS 

Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis with a petition for writ

of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. 

Petitioner filed his Petition on January 3, 2007. (Doc. 1). The Court has conducted a

preliminary review of the Petition. Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section

2254 Cases and Rule 16 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Court HEREBY ORDERS: 1

1) Respondent SHALL FILE a RESPONSE. A Response can be made by filing one of

the following: 

A. AN ANSWER addressing the merits of the Petition and due within NINETY

(90) days of the date of service of this order. Rule 4, Rules Governing Section

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Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases provides that upon the court’s determination that summary 2

dismissal is inappropriate, the “judge shall order the respondent to file an answer or other pleading . . . or to take such other

action as the judge deems appropriate.” Rule 4, Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases (emphasis added); see, also, Advisory

Committee Notes to Rule 4 and 5 of Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases (stating that a dismissal may obviate the need for

filing an answer on the substantive merits of the petition and that the Attorney General may file a Motion to Dismiss for

failure to exhaust.); also, White v. Lewis, 874 F.2d 599, 60203 (9 Cir.1989) (providing that Motions to Dismiss pursuant th

to Rule 4 are proper in a federal habeas proceeding.) 

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2254 Cases; Cluchette v. Rushen, 770 F.2d 1469, 1473-1474 (9 Cir. 1985) th

(court has discretion to fix time for filing an Answer.).

S Respondent SHALL INCLUDE with the Answer any and all

transcripts or other documents necessary for the resolution of the

issues presented in the Petition. Rule 5 of the Rules Governing Section

2254 Cases.

S Any argument by Respondent that Petitioner has procedurally

defaulted a claim(s) SHALL BE MADE in an ANSWER that also

addresses the merits of the claims asserted. This is to enable the Court

to determine whether Petitioner meets an exception to procedural

default. See, Paradis v. Arave, 130 F.3d 385, 396 (9 Cir. 1997) th

(Procedurally defaulted claims may be reviewed on the merits to serve

the ends of justice); Jones v. Delo, 56 F.3d 878 (8 Cir. 1995) (the th

answer to the question that it is more likely than not that no reasonable

juror fairly considering all the evidence, including the new evidence,

would have found Petitioner guilty beyond a reasonable doubt

necessarily requires a review of the merits). 

S Petitioner’s TRAVERSE, if any, is due THIRTY (30) days from the

date Respondent’s Answer is filed with the Court.

B. A MOTION TO DISMISS due within SIXTY(60) days of the date of service

of this order based on the following grounds: 

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i. EXHAUSTION - 28 U.S.C. § 2254(b)(1). A Motion to Dismiss for

Petitioner’s failure to exhaust state court remedies SHALL INCLUDE

copies of all the Petitioner’s state court filings and dispositive rulings

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so as to allow the Court to examine the limitations issue. See, Ford v.

Hubbard, 305 F.3d 875 (9 Cir. 2002); Kelly v. Small, 315 F.3d 1063 th

(9 Cir. 2003); th

ii. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS - 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(1). A Motion to

Dismiss the Petition as filed beyond the one year limitations period

SHALL INCLUDE copies of all Petitioner’s state court filings and

dispositive rulings. 

iii. SECOND OR SUCCESSIVE Petitions - 28 U.S.C. § 2244(b). A

Motion to Dismiss the Petition on the basis of § 2244(b) SHALL

include a copy of the previously filed federal Petition and disposition

thereof.

2. OPPOSITIONS to Motions to Dismiss SHALL be served and filed within

EIGHTEEN (18) days, plus three days for mailing. All other Oppositions SHALL be

served and filed within EIGHT (8) days, plus three days for mailing. REPLIES to

Oppositions to Motions to Dismiss SHALL be served and filed within eight (8) days,

plus three days for mailing. Replies to Oppositions to all other Motions SHALL be

served and filed within eight (8) days, plus three days for mailing. If no opposition is

filed, all motions are deemed submitted at the expiration of the opposition period. 

3. Unless already submitted, both Respondent and Petitioner SHALL COMPLETE and

RETURN to the Court along with the Response or Motion to Dismiss, a Consent

form indicating whether the party consents or declines to consent to the jurisdiction of

a the United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(1).

4. RESPONDENT SHALL submit a Notice of Appearance as attorney of record within

SIXTY (60) days of the date of service of this order for purposes of service of court

orders. See, Local Rule 83-182(a), 5-135(c). 

5. The Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to SERVE a copy of this order along with a

copy of the PETITION (Doc. 1), and any exhibits/attachments, on the Attorney

General or his representative. 

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All motions shall be submitted on the record and briefs filed without oral argument unless

otherwise ordered by the Court. Local Rule 78-230(h). All provisions of Local Rule 11-110 are

applicable to this order. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 7, 2008 /s/ Theresa A. Goldner 

j6eb3d UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

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