Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01437/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01437-1/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Jerry Brown
Respondent
Richard Lord
Petitioner

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RICHARD LORD,

Petitioner,

v.

JERRY BROWN, Governor of State of 

California,

Respondent.

Case No. 1:15-cv-01437-SKO HC

ORDER DISMISSING PETITION FOR 

LACK OF JURISDICTION WITH LEAVE 

TO AMEND WITHIN 30 DAYS

Petitioner is a civil detainee of the State of California proceeding pro se with a petition for 

writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254.

I. Discussion

Rule 4 of the Rules Governing § 2254 Cases requires the Court to conduct a preliminary 

review of each petition for writ of habeas corpus. The Court must dismiss a petition "[i]f it 

plainly appears from the petition . . . that the petitioner is not entitled to relief." Rule 4 of the 

Rules Governing 2254 Cases; see also Hendricks v. Vasquez, 908 F.2d 490, 491 (9th Cir. 1990). 

A petition for habeas corpus should not be dismissed without leave to amend unless it appears 

that no tenable claim for relief can be pleaded were such leave to be granted. Jarvis v. Nelson, 

440 F.2d 13, 14 (9th Cir. 1971).

A petitioner seeking habeas corpus relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 must name the state 

officer having custody of him as the respondent to the petition. Rule 2(a) of the Rules Governing 

§ 2254 Cases; Ortiz-Sandoval v. Gomez, 81 F.3d 891, 894 (9th Cir. 1996); Stanley v. California 

Supreme Court, 21 F.3d 359, 360 (9th Cir. 1994). A petitioner's failure to name a proper 

Case 1:15-cv-01437-AWI-SKO Document 12 Filed 09/28/15 Page 1 of 2
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respondent requires dismissal of his habeas petition for lack of jurisdiction. Stanley, 21 F.3d at 

360; Olson v. California Adult Authority, 423 F.2d 1326, 1326 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 398 U.S. 

914 (1970). 

In this case, Petitioner names Jerry Brown, Governor of State of California, as 

Respondent. Governor Brown is not an appropriate respondent. Petitioner is detained at 

Coalinga State Hospital, Coalinga, California. The Acting Director of Coalinga State Hospital is 

Audrey King. Because Director King is the state officer having custody of Petitioner in this case, 

Petitioner must name her as Respondent.

II. Conclusion and Order

Accordingly, the Court hereby ORDERS:

1. The petition for writ of habeas corpus is DISMISSED with 

leave to amend for lack of jurisdiction.

2. The Clerk of Court shall send Petitioner a copy of this order 

and a form for Petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 for Writ of Habeas 

Corpus by a Person in State Custody.

3. Within 30 days of service of this order, Petitioner shall file 

an amended petition naming the proper respondent. Petitioner shall 

sign the petition under penalty of perjury.

4. If Petitioner fails to file an amended petition within 30 days 

from the date of service of this order, this action will be dismissed 

without further notice for lack of jurisdiction.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 28, 2015 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-01437-AWI-SKO Document 12 Filed 09/28/15 Page 2 of 2