Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_16-cv-03802/USCOURTS-cand-5_16-cv-03802-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 230
Nature of Suit: Rent, Lease, Ejectment
Cause of Action: 28:1443(1) Rent, Lease &amp; Ejectment

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Case No. 16-cv-03802 NC 

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RESERVATION ESTATES 

APARTMENTS LP,

Plaintiff,

v.

RONALD B. GRIFFIN,

Defendant.

Case No. 16-cv-03802 NC 

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RE: 

FEDERAL COURT JURISDICTION

Defendant Ronald Griffin filed a notice of removal alleging that this Court has 

federal question jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331. In the underlying complaint, 

Reservation Estates Apartments brought a limited action for unlawful detainer, which 

arises exclusively out of state law. Accordingly, defendant must show cause in writing 

why removal is proper by July 20, 2016. Also by July 20, 2016, the parties must consent 

or decline to the jurisdiction of a United States Magistrate Judge, by submitting the form 

attached.

Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction and are presumptively without 

jurisdiction. Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins. Co. of Am., 511 U.S. 375, 377 (1994). 

Removal of a state court action to federal court is appropriate only if the federal court 

would have had original subject matter jurisdiction over the suit. See 28 U.S.C. § 1441(a). 

Federal courts have original jurisdiction over “all civil actions arising under the 

Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States,” 28 U.S.C. § 1331, and over “all civil 

Case 5:16-cv-03802-LHK Document 5 Filed 07/11/16 Page 1 of 2
Case No. 16-cv-03802 NC 2

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

actions where the matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000 . . . and is 

between citizens of different states,” 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a). 

In the absence of diversity jurisdiction, removal to federal court is only proper when 

“a federal question is presented on the face of the plaintiff’s properly pleaded complaint.” 

Caterpillar Inc. v. Williams, 482 U.S. 386, 392 (1987). “Federal jurisdiction cannot be 

predicated on an actual or anticipated defense . . . [n]or can federal jurisdiction rest upon 

an actual or anticipated counterclaim. Vaden v. Discover Bank, 556 U.S. 49, 60 (2009). A 

federal court may dismiss an action on its own motion if it finds that it lacks subject matter 

jurisdiction over the action. Fielder v. Clark, 714 F.2d 77, 78-79 (9th Cir. 1983); see also

Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3). 

Here, Griffin alleges in his notice of removal that Reservation Estates Apartments

did not comply with the California Civil Code and provided improper notice, his defense 

to the unlawful detainer action. Griffin states that this deprived him of rights under federal 

law. This is insufficient as a basis for removal because federal question jurisdiction cannot 

be based on a defense. If defendant does not demonstrate federal subject matter 

jurisdiction, this case will be remanded back to Monterey County Superior Court.

For additional guidance, defendant may refer to the Court’s Pro Se Handbook, 

available on the Court’s website at http://www.cand.uscourts.gov/prosehandbook, or 

contact the Federal Pro Se Program at the San Jose Courthouse, which provides 

information and limited-scope legal advice to pro se litigants in civil cases. The Federal 

Pro Se Program is available by appointment and on a drop-in basis. The Federal Pro Se 

Program is available at Room 2070 in the San Jose United States Courthouse (Monday to 

Thursday 1:00 – 4:00 pm), or The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, 152 N. 3rd Street, 

3rd Floor, San Jose, CA (Monday to Thursday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm), or by calling (408)

297-1480.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 11, 2016 _____________________________________

NATHANAEL M. COUSINS

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 5:16-cv-03802-LHK Document 5 Filed 07/11/16 Page 2 of 2