Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-cv-00702/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-cv-00702-1/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JAMES E. TRUSCHKE, JR.,

Petitioner,

v.

SHASTA SUPERIOR COURT, et al.,

Respondents.

No. 2:15-cv-0702 CKD P

ORDER

Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding pro se who has requested authority pursuant to 28 

U.S.C. § 1915 to proceed in forma pauperis. This proceeding was referred to this court by Local 

Rule 302 pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Petitioner has consented to this court’s jurisdiction 

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and Local Rule 302. 

Petitioner has submitted a declaration that makes the showing required by 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(a). Accordingly, the request to proceed in forma pauperis will be granted. 

A habeas corpus petition is the correct method for a prisoner to challenge the legality or 

duration of his confinement. Badea v. Cox, 931 F.2d 573, 574 (9th Cir.1991) (quoting Preiser v. 

Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 485 (1973)). Habeas Rule 2(c) requires that a petition 1) specify all 

grounds of relief available to the petitioner; 2) state the facts supporting each ground; and 3) state 

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the relief requested. Notice pleading is not sufficient; rather, the petition must state facts that 

point to a real possibility of constitutional error.” Rule 4, Advisory Committee Notes, 1976 

Adoption; see Blackledge v. Allison, 431 U.S. 63, 75 n. 7 (1977). Allegations in a petition that 

are vague, conclusory, or palpably incredible are subject to summary dismissal. Hendricks v. 

Vasquez, 908 F.2d 490, 491 (9th Cir. 1990). 

Here, insofar as petitioner challenges the legality or duration of his confinement, the 

petition does not meet the requirements of Habeas Rules 2(c) and 4. The legal and factual basis 

of his federal habeas claims are unclear. Moreover, insofar as petitioner challenges the 

application of state sentencing law (i.e., the imposition of a “strike”), his complaint is not 

cognizable on federal habeas review. 

Petitioner also alleges that his rights have been violated in prison. A civil rights action 

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 is the proper method for a prisoner to challenge the conditions of 

confinement. McCarthy v. Bronson, 500 U.S. 136, (1991); Preiser, 411 U.S. at 499; Badea, 931

F.2d at 574; Advisory Committee Notes to Habeas Rule 1, 1976 Adoption. Thus plaintiff’s 

allegations concerning “religious and spiritual persecutions” are not properly brought within this 

habeas action and are subject to dismissal.1

For these reasons, the petition will be dismissed. Petitioner will be granted one 

opportunity to file an amended petition that complies with all applicable rules. 

As petitioner’s pending motions (ECF Nos. 7 & 8) are not contemplated by the Habeas 

Rules, they are inapposite and will be denied.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Petitioner is granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis;

2. Petitioner’s application for writ of habeas corpus is dismissed with leave to amend 

within thirty days from the date of this order;2

 

1

Petitioner may re-file any claims concerning prison conditions in an action pursuant to section 

1983. Petitioner is advised that the statutory filing fee for such an action is $400.00. 28 U.S.C. 

§§ 1914(a), 1915(b)(1). A section 1983 inmate plaintiff proceeding in forma pauperis is 

obligated to pay this fee in monthly installments from his or her prison trust account. 

2 By setting this deadline, the court is making no finding or representation that the petition is not 

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3. Any amended petition must bear the case number assigned to this action and the title 

“Amended Petition”; 

4. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send petitioner the court’s form for application for 

writ of habeas corpus; and

5. Petitioner’s motion for modification of sentence (ECF No. 8) and motion for order to 

show cause (ECF No. 9) are denied.

Dated: May 12, 2015

2 / trus0702.R4

 

subject to dismissal as untimely.

_____________________________________

CAROLYN K. DELANEY

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:15-cv-00702-CKD Document 10 Filed 05/12/15 Page 3 of 3