Source: http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20090420_0006172.ECA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2017-06-28 10:32:51
Document Index: 78518891

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1441', '§ 1983', '§1983', '§ 1983', '§ 1441', '§ 636']

| Strong v. Elliot
GEORGE BERRY STRONG, PLAINTIFF,v.KENNETH ELLIOT, DEFENDANT.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, RECOMMENDING DENIAL OF PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR REMAND OBJECTIONS, IF ANY, DUE IN 30 DAYS (Doc. 4.)
This is a civil action filed by plaintiff George Berry Strong ("plaintiff"), a state prisoner proceeding pro se. This action was initiated by civil complaint filed by plaintiff at the Kings County Superior Court on January 16, 2009 (Case #09C0022). On March 30, 2009, defendant Elliot ("defendant") removed the case to federal court by filing a Notice of Removal of Action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1441(b). (Doc. 1.) On April 17, 2009, plaintiff filed a motion for the court to remand this action to the Kings County Superior Court. (Doc. 4.)
Plaintiff argues that this action should be remanded to the Kings County Superior Court because § 1983 actions may be brought in State Court, and a party with a §1983 claim ordinarily has a choice asserting that claim either in a State or Federal Court. However, plaintiff also concedes that his complaint alleges violations of his rights to be free from cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. (Pltf's Motion at 2:1-2.) Plaintiff also states that "plaintiff's allegations, if proved, clearly establish a constitutional violation," and "the complaint clearly states a First, Eighth and Thirteenth Amendment violation." Id. at 5:11-13.
Because the right to removal depends solely on the nature of the plaintiff's complaint, the court has thoroughly reviewed plaintiff's complaint. Although the complaint is primarily couched as claims under California state tort law, plaintiff also alleges "violat[ion of] plaintiff's right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment guaranteed to the plaintiff by the Eighth Amendment of the State and Federal Constitution" and deprivation of "rights secured by the State and Federal Constitution." (Cmp. at 8.) Plaintiff refers repeatedly to his Eighth Amendment rights throughout the body of the complaint. Plaintiff also clearly alleges violation of his right to be free from slavery as guaranteed by the Thirteenth Amendment. Id. at 10-11. Therefore, the court finds that the federal court has jurisdiction over the complaint, and the removal was proper. As for plaintiff's arguments that § 1983 actions may be brought in State Court, and a party ordinarily has a choice where to assert that claim, these are not sufficient reasons to remand the case. As stated above, removal of an action under 28 U.S.C. § 1441(b) depends solely on the nature of plaintiff's complaint. Gully, 299 U.S. at 112. Accordingly, plaintiff's motion for remand should be denied.
These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within thirty days after being served with these findings and recommendations, the parties may file written objections with the court. Such a document should be captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the ...