Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_20-cv-00095/USCOURTS-cand-4_20-cv-00095-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

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United States District Court 

Northern District of Californi

a

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

JERRY E. SMITH, 

Petitioner, 

v. 

K. ANCHETA, 

Respondent. 

Case No. 20-cv-00095-PJH 

ORDER DISMISSING PETITION 

Re: Dkt. No. 2 

Petitioner, a California prisoner, filed a pro se petition for a writ of habeas corpus 

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. However, a review of the petition indicates that this is a 

civil rights complaint. Plaintiff argues that his right to access the courts was violated with 

respect to prison policies that delayed the sending of certain documents. Petition at 5. 

The remainder of the allegations are difficult to discern. It appears that a state court 

judge denied his request for reinstatement of a civil action to appeal a summary judgment 

ruling against him. Petition at 10. 

The court will dismiss this action, but plaintiff may file a new civil rights action in 

this court. If plaintiff files a civil rights action, he should include more allegations in the 

complaint. He must identify specific defendants and present allegations how these 

defendants hindered his efforts to purse a non-frivolous claim concerning his conviction 

or conditions of confinement. Plaintiff is also informed that he must file a new in forma 

pauperis application and it will cost $350 to proceed with a civil rights case as opposed to 

$5 to proceed with a habeas petition. It also appears that plaintiff may be three strikes 

barred pursuant to § 1915(g). If plaintiff is three strikes barred it will cost $400 to proceed 

Case 4:20-cv-00095-PJH Document 3 Filed 01/21/20 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court 

Northern District of Californi

a

with a civil rights action and he will be prevented from proceeding in forma pauperis.1 

This case is DISMISSED and a certificate of appealability is DENIED. The motion 

to proceed in forma pauperis (Docket No. 2) is VACATED. The clerk shall SEND plaintiff 

a blank civil rights form and a blank in forma pauperis application. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: January 21, 2020 

PHYLLIS J. HAMILTON 

United States District Judge 

1 Although the Court has discretion to convert a habeas petition into a civil rights 

complaint, it declines to do so here and will allow petitioner the opportunity to make the 

decision and file a more detailed complaint naming proper defendants if he chooses to 

proceed. See Wilwording v. Swenson, 404 U.S. 249, 251 (1971)

/s/ Phyllis J. Hamilton 

Case 4:20-cv-00095-PJH Document 3 Filed 01/21/20 Page 2 of 2