Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00507/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00507-7/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JAMES E. SMITH, CASE NO. CV F 07-0507 LJO WMW

Plaintiff, ORDER TO DENY DISQUALIFICATION OF

JUDGE

vs. (Doc. 33.)

F.B.I., et al.,

Defendants.

 /

On February 13, 2008, pro se plaintiff James E. Smith (“Mr. Smith”), a state prisoner, filed his

request to recuse United States District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill (“Judge O’Neill”) on unsupported

grounds that Judge O’Neill “is unaable [sic] to be impartial, based on his financial interest in the

outcome of this action.”

28 U.S.C. § 455 (“section 455") addresses judicial disqualification and provides in pertinent part:

(a) Any . . . judge . . . of the United States shall disqualify himself in any

proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned.

(b) He shall also disqualify himself in the following circumstances:

. . .

(4) He knows that he . . . has a financial interest in the subject matter in

controversy or in a party to the proceeding, or any interest that could be substantially

affected by the outcome of the proceeding . . .

The standard to judge the appearance of partiality requiring recusal under section 455(a) is an

Case 1:07-cv-00507-LJO-WMW Document 38 Filed 02/15/08 Page 1 of 2
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objective one and involves ascertaining “whether a reasonable person with knowledge of all the facts

would conclude that the judge’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned.” United States v. Nelson,

718 F.2d 315, 321 (9 Cir. 1983). th

Mr. Smith’s recusal request is frivolous. Mr. Smith filed this action to seek “legal certified

documents to ascertain proper information regarding his present commitment and his money.” Judge

O’Neill has no possible financial interest in this action against remaining defendant Warden Hedgpeth.

The objective evidence reveals nothing to question Judge O’Neill’s impartiality. Mr. Smith offers

nothing to support his disqualification request.

This Court DENIES Ms. Smith’s frivolous request to disqualify Judge O’Neill.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 15, 2008 /s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill 

66h44d UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:07-cv-00507-LJO-WMW Document 38 Filed 02/15/08 Page 2 of 2