Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01513/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01513-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Kathy Mendoza-Powers
Respondent
Andy Delgado Rodriguez
Petitioner

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ANDY DELGADO RODRIGUEZ,

Petitioner,

v.

KATHY MENDOZA-POWERS,

Respondent.

Case No. 1:13-cv-01513-SAB-HC

ORDER DISMISSING PETITIONER’S 

MOTION REGARDING CAUSE AND 

PREJUDICE

[ECF NO. 3]

Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus 

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254.

Pending before the Court is Petitioner’s motion regarding cause and prejudice. The 

pleading is vague, but it appears Petitioner may believe his claims have been procedurally 

defaulted in state court, and he requests that they be considered notwithstanding the default 

because failure to do so would result in fundamental miscarriage of justice. Petitioner is advised 

that procedural default is an affirmative defense. Gray v. Netherland, 518 U.S. 152, 165 (1996). 

As such, it is the obligation of Respondent to raise the defense. While the Court may raise the 

issue sua sponte, it is not required to do so. Trest v. Cain, 522 U.S. 87, 89 (1997). In this case, 

the Court finds it premature to consider the defense. Petitioner is advised that in the event 

procedural default becomes an issue, he, as well as Respondent, will have a full opportunity for 

briefing.

Case 1:13-cv-01513-AWI-SAB Document 6 Filed 10/30/13 Page 1 of 2
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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Petitioner’s motion regarding cause and 

prejudice is DISMISSED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 30, 2013 _ _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:13-cv-01513-AWI-SAB Document 6 Filed 10/30/13 Page 2 of 2