Source: http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20120110_0000483.ECA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 13:59:19+00:00

Document:
GUADALUPE M. GONZALEZ, ET AL., DEFENDANTS.
For the reasons set forth below, Defendants' motion for removal is DENIED and the action is remanded to the Kern County Superior Court. As such, Defendants' motion to proceed in forma pauperis and motion to dismiss are DENIED AS MOOT.
Pursuant to Title 28 U.S.C. Section 1441(a), "any civil action brought in a State court of which the district courts of the United States have original jurisdiction, may be removed by the defendant or the defendants, to the district court of the United States for the district and division embracing the place where such action is pending." A district court has "a duty to establish subject matter jurisdiction over the removed action sua sponte, whether the parties raised the issue or not." United Investors Life Ins. Co. v. Waddell & Reed, Inc., 360 F.3d 960, 967 (9th Cir. 2004). "If at any time prior to judgment it appears that the district court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the case shall be remanded." 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c).
The removal statute is strictly construed against removal jurisdiction. Geographic Expeditions, Inc. v. Estate of Lhotka, 599 F.3d 1102, 1107 (9th Cir. 2010); Provincial Gov't of Marinduque v. Placer Dome, Inc., 582 F.3d 1083, 1087 (9th Cir. 2009). The court presumes that a case lies outside the limited jurisdiction of the federal courts, and the burden of establishing the contrary rests upon the party asserting jurisdiction. Geographic Expeditions, 599 F.3d at 1106-07; Hunter v. Philip Morris USA, 582 F.3d 1039, 1042 (9th Cir.2009).
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 1446(b), "notice of removal of a civil action or proceeding shall be filed within thirty days after the receipt by the defendant, through service or otherwise, of a copy of the initial pleading setting forth the claim for relief upon which such action or proceeding is based . . . ." When removability is uncertain, the 30-day period is measured from the point at which a defendant had notice that the action is removable; however, removal based on diversity must be effected within one year after the case is filed. See 28 U.S.C. § 1446(b).
The underlying state court case, no. D-1503-CL, an unlawful detainer action, was filed in Kern County Superior Court on November 17, 2011. Defendants do not provide information as to when they were served with the complaint. No proof of service of the complaint was included with the Defendants' removal notice, which was filed on December 22, 2011, thirty-five (35) days after the complaint was filed in state court. As there is no proof of service submitted, the Court cannot determine if Defendants' notice of removal was timely filed within thirty (30) days from the date of service as required under 28 U.S.C. Section 1446(b).

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