Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00815/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-00815-2/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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Plaintiff Obie Crisp (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in 

this civil rights action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The complaint in this action was filed on 

May 30, 2013. (ECF No. 1.) 

On July 10, 2013, Plaintiff filed the instant request to file a late claim under the Government 

Claims Act (“California Tort Claims Act”). (ECF No. 6.) Plaintiff requests that this Court grant him 

leave to file a late claim with the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board 

related to his allegations in this action. Plaintiff reportedly experienced various difficulties in 

obtaining and submitting the proper claim forms to the proper entities. 

The California Tort Claims Act requires that a tort claim against a public entity or its 

employees be presented to the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board no 

more than six months after the cause of action accrues. Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2. No suit for money or 

damages may be brought against a public entity until a written claim has been presented to and has 

OBIE CRISP,

 Plaintiff,

v.

WASCO STATE PRISON, et al.,

Defendants.

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Case No.: 1:13-cv-00815-BAM PC

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S REQUEST TO 

FILE LATE GOVERNMENT CLAIM

(ECF No. 6)

Case 1:13-cv-00815-BAM Document 17 Filed 03/12/14 Page 1 of 2
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been acted on or rejected by the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board. Cal. 

Gov. Code § 945.6. Presentation of a written claim, and action on or rejection of the claim are 

conditions precedent to suit. Shirk v. Vista Unified Sch. Dist., 164 P.3d 630, 634 (Cal. 2007); Mabe 

v. San Bernardino Cnty. Dep’t of Pub. Soc. Servs., 237 F.3d 1101, 1111 (9th Cir. 2001). Under 

California Government Code section 946.6, a would-be claimant may petition a court for an order 

relieving the petitioner from the requirement of section 945.4 to present a timely claim to the

California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board. Cal. Gov. Code § 946.6(a). 

Section 946.6(a) provides: “The proper court for filing the petition is a superior court that 

would be a proper court for the trial of an action on the cause of action to which the claim relates.” 

Cal. Gov.Code § 946.6(a). The Ninth Circuit has not decided whether a federal court, as opposed to a 

state superior court, has jurisdiction to rule on a petition for leave to file a late claim and there is a split 

of authority among California’s district courts. However, this Court agrees with the decision of Crisp 

v. Wasco State Prison, Case No. 1:13-cv-00816-GSA, 2013 WL 3805150, *1-2 (E.D. Cal. Jul. 22, 

2013), in which the district court declined jurisdiction over a similar request from Plaintiff. In 

declining authority to issue the requested relief, the district court concurred with the reasoning of Hill 

v. City of Clovis, 2012 WL 787609, *12 (E.D. Cal. Mar. 9, 2012). Id. The Hill court followed the 

majority position of California District Courts and concluded that only state superior courts have been 

given the authority to grant relief pursuant to section 946.6(a). Hill, 2012 WL 787609 at*12. The 

Court finds these decisions persuasive and therefore concludes that it lacks authority to grant relief 

under section 946.6(a). 

Accordingly, Plaintiff’s request for leave to file a late government claim is HEREBY 

DENIED. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 11, 2014 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:13-cv-00815-BAM Document 17 Filed 03/12/14 Page 2 of 2