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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

GAINESVILLE DIVISION

AAHTRELL R JOHNSON,

Petitioner,

v. CASE NO. 1:10-cv-00225-MP -GRJ

SECRETARY, DEPT. OF

CORRECTIONS ,

1

Respondent.

_____________________________/

O R D E R

This matter is before the Court on Doc. 1, a petition for a writ of habeas corpus

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, and Doc. 2, Petitioner’s motion for leave to proceed as a

pauper. Petitioner’s motion is due to be granted, and the Respondent will be directed

to file a response to the Petition. 

The response shall be styled as an answer unless a motion to dismiss the

petition, in whole or in part, due to a failure to exhaust state remedies, a procedural bar,

non-retroactivity, or a statute of limitations is appropriate, in which case such ground

shall be asserted by motion. See § 2254 Rule 4 and Advisory Committee Notes (Court

may authorize Respondent to address procedural bars by way of a motion to dismiss,

“which may avoid burdening the Respondent with the necessity of filing an answer on

Because Petitioner is an inmate in the custody of the Florida Department of 1

Corrections (DOC), the Secretary of the DOC is the state officer who has custody of

Petitioner, and therefore is properly named as the Respondent in this case. See Rule

2, Rules Governing Habeas Corpus Petitions under § 2254. The Clerk is directed to

correct the docket accordingly.
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the substantive merits of the petition.”); § 2254 Rule 5(b). If a motion to dismiss some

or all of the claims on a procedural ground is filed, Respondent need not also file an

answer as to the merits of those claims only until the Court rules on the motion

asserting the procedural ground. See id. Respondent may respond to the merits of the

Petition without waiving the exhaustion requirement. See § 2254(b)(2) and §

2254(b)(3). 

Petitioner may file a reply to any of Respondent's arguments, including a motion

to dismiss, within the time set by this order, but is not required to do so. § 2254 Rule

5(e).

The Court will review the record after the answer (or other motion) and

Petitioner’s reply (if any) are filed. If it does not appear that a hearing or additional

argument is warranted, then the undersigned will make appropriate disposition of the

motion or petition. If an evidentiary hearing is warranted and permitted, counsel will be 2

appointed. § 2254 Rule 8. Accordingly, it is

ORDERED AND ADJUDGED:

1. Petitioner’s motion for leave to proceed as a pauper, Doc. 2, is GRANTED.

2. The clerk shall serve a copy of the Petition, Doc. 1, along with this order, to

Respondent and the Attorney General of the State of Florida via certified mail,

return receipt requested. 

3. Respondent shall file an answer or other pleading on or before February 14,

2011. If voluminous exhibits or records (such as transcripts) are submitted in

Section 2254(e)(2) generally bars the court from granting an evidentiary hearing 2

if the Petitioner failed to properly develop the facts in support of his claim in state court. 

Schriro v. Landrigan, 550 U.S. 465, 473-74 n.1 (2007). Even where not barred by the

statute, the Court has the discretion to deny a hearing if the record refutes the

allegations or otherwise precludes relief. Id. (citations omitted). 

Case No: 1:10-cv-00225-MP -GRJ
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support of the answer, paper copies shall be provided to the court. 

4. Petitioner shall have until March 16, 2011, to file a reply, if desired.

DONE AND ORDERED this 16 day of November 2010. th

s/Gary R. Jones

GARY R. JONES

United States Magistrate Judge

Case No: 1:10-cv-00225-MP -GRJ