Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00511/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00511-4/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
James E. Smith
Petitioner
The Government or The Department of Justice
Respondent

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JAMES E. SMITH, Case No. 07-cv-0511-AWI-TAG

 Plaintiff, ORDER DENYING MOTION 

FOR ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 

vs.

(Doc. 12) 

THE GOVERNMENT OR THE 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,

 Defendant.

 /

Plaintiff James E. Smith (“Smith”), a prisoner proceeding pro se, filed a petition for a

writ of habeas corpus, which was re-designated as a general civil complaint on May 23, 2007. 

(Docs. 1, 4). On August 16, 2007, the Magistrate Judge issued Findings and Recommendations, 

recommending that Smith’s complaint be dismissed with prejudice for failure to comply with this

Court’s June 11, 2007 order directing Smith to file an amended complaint and either pay the

filing fee or submit an application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. (Doc. 9; see Doc. 6

(June 11, 2007 order)). On September 14, 2007, the Findings and Recommendations were

adopted by the District Judge and the instant case was dismissed. (Doc. 10). The Clerk of Court

entered a final judgment against Smith on September 17, 2007. (Doc. 11). 

On February 13, 2008, Smith filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, pursuant to 5

U.S.C. § 522. (Doc. 12). Section 522 addresses an individual’s ability to obtain information

from government agencies, and provides, in pertinent part, that

(i) The court may assess against the United States reasonable attorney fees and

other litigation costs reasonably incurred in any case under this section in which

the complainant has substantially prevailed.

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Case 1:07-cv-00511-AWI-TAG Document 13 Filed 02/19/08 Page 1 of 2
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(ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, a complainant has substantially prevailed if

the complainant has obtained relief through either–

(I) a judicial order, or an enforceable written agreement or consent decree;

or; 

(II) a voluntary or unilateral change in position by the agency, if the

complainant's claim is not insubstantial.

5 U.S.C. § 522(E)(i) and (ii).

Because Smith did not have a complaint pending in this Court in which he sought or

obtained relief as defined above, and he was not the prevailing party in this action, he is not

entitled to attorney’s fees and costs. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff James E. Smith’s motion for

attorney’s fees and costs (Doc. 12), is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 19, 2008 /s/ Theresa A. Goldner 

j6eb3d UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

Case 1:07-cv-00511-AWI-TAG Document 13 Filed 02/19/08 Page 2 of 2