Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00544/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00544-2/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Melvin Joel Crawford
Petitioner
M.E. Spearman
Respondent

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Before Court is the request, lodged by Respondent to file under seal the probation report 

prepared in Petitioner’s underlying criminal matter. (Doc. 17) For the reasons set forth below, the 

request is GRANTED.

I. Legal Authority

Generally, documents filed on the docket are presumed to be available to the public. EEOC v.

Erection Co., 900 F.2d 168, 170 (9th Cir. 1990); see also Kamakana v. City and County of Honolulu, 

447 F.3d 1172, 1178 (9th Cir.2006); Foltz v. State Farm Mut. Auto Ins. Co., 331 F.3d 1122, 1134 (9th 

Cir.2003). Documents may be sealed only when the compelling reasons for doing so outweigh the 

public’s right of access. EEOC at 170. In evaluating the request, the Court considers the “public 

interest in understanding the judicial process and whether disclosure of the material could result in 

improper use of the material for scandalous or libelous purposes or infringement upon trade secrets.” 

Valley Broadcasting Co. v. United States District Court, 798 F.2d 1289, 1294 (9th Cir. 1986).

MELVIN JOEL CRAWFORD,

 Petitioner,

v.

M.E. SPEARMAN,

Respondent.

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Case No.: 1:15-cv-00544 LJO JLT 

ORDER GRANTING RESPONDENT’S REQUEST 

TO SEAL THE PROBATION REPORT

(Doc. 17)

Case 1:15-cv-00544-LJO-JLT Document 18 Filed 06/17/15 Page 1 of 2
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Here, Respondent seeks to file under seal the probation report prepared in Petitioner’s

underlying criminal matter. (Doc. 17) This report is made confidential under California law (Cal. Pen 

Code § 1203.05) and contains personal identifiers which should not be subject to public view. See

Premium Serv. Corp. v. Sperry & Hutchinson Co., 511 F.2d 225, 229 (9th Cir. 1975) (“[A] public 

policy against unnecessary public disclosure arises from the need, if the tax laws are to function 

properly, to encourage taxpayers to file complete and accurate returns.”); Gabel v. C.I.R., 134 F.3d 

377 (9th Cir. 1998) (Social security numbers are part of tax return information and are confidential.) 

Thus, the Court finds a compelling need for this document to remain confidential.

ORDER

Based upon the foregoing, the Court ORDERS:

1. Defendants’ request to file under seal Lodged Document #17 (Doc. 17) is GRANTED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 17, 2015 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-00544-LJO-JLT Document 18 Filed 06/17/15 Page 2 of 2