Source: http://ny.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20191216_0007975.SNY.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2020-08-06 08:08:31
Document Index: 555076112

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1441', '§ 1455', '§ 1455', '§ 1455', '§ 1455', '§ 1442', '§ 1443']

FindACase™ | Gonzalez v. Clark
Gonzalez v. Clark
ALVIN D. GONZALEZ, Plaintiff,
DARCEL D. CLARK, Bronx County District Attorney, Defendant.
Alvin D. Gonzalez, appearing pro se, filed this Notice of Removal under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1441-1446, removing to this Court his criminal proceedings pending in the Bronx County Criminal Court. By order dated December 3, 2019, the Court granted Plaintiff's request to proceed without prepayment of fees, that is, in forma pauperis. For the reasons set forth below, the Court remands this action to the Bronx County Criminal Court.
Gonzalez's submission, which he filed in this Court on November 12, 2019, consists almost entirely of legal jargon, may be understood to assert that his due process rights are being violated in his ongoing criminal proceedings in Bronx County Criminal Court. Gonzalez is represented by counsel in those proceedings. (ECF 1:19-CV-10542, 1 at 4.) According to the New York State Office of Court Administration website, Gonzalez was arrested on April 10, 2018, and arraigned on April 11, 2018. https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcivil/FCASSearch.[1]
A removing defendant has the burden of establishing that a case is within the federal court's removal jurisdiction. Shamrock Oil & Gas Corp. v. Sheets, 313 U.S. 100, 108 (1941). Because removal to federal court deprives the state court of jurisdiction, “federal courts construe the removal statute[s] narrowly, resolving any doubts against removability.” Somlyo v. J. Lu-Rob Enters., Inc., 932 F.2d 1043, 1045-46 (2d Cir. 1991); Shamrock Oil & Gas Corp. v. Sheets, 313 U.S. 100, 109 (1941). If it clearly appears on the face of a notice of removal that removal of a criminal case is impermissible, the district court must summarily remand the action to state court. 28 U.S.C. § 1455(4).
A defendant removing a criminal action to a federal district court is generally required to file a notice of removal in the appropriate federal district court “not later than 30 days after the arraignment in the State court, or at any time before trial, whichever is earlier.” 28 U.S.C. § 1455(b)(1). The criminal defendant must also file with the notice of removal “a copy of all process, pleadings, and orders served upon such defendant or defendants in such action.” Id. “The filing of a notice of removal of a criminal prosecution shall not prevent the State court in which such prosecution is pending from proceeding further, except that a judgment of conviction shall not be entered unless the prosecution is first remanded.” § 1455(b)(3).
Gonzalez has not complied with the procedural requirements for the removal. The Notice of Removal does not plead facts showing that it was filed within 30 days of arraignment and does not include any information about or pleadings from the State court criminal proceeding. Because the Notice of Removal does not comply with the procedural requirements for removal, the action must be remanded to state court. See 28 U.S.C. § 1455(b)(4).
Even if Gonzalez had complied with the procedural requirements for removal, his submission is bereft of facts suggesting that removal of his state court criminal proceedings is proper. A criminal prosecution commenced in State court against a federal officer or member of the armed forces for actions taken under the color of office may be removed to federal court. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1442(a), 1442a. Criminal prosecutions commenced in State court are also subject to removal if the defendant “is denied or cannot enforce in the courts of such State a right under any law providing for the equal civil rights of citizens of the United States.” 28 U.S.C. § 1443(1); see also Johnson v. Mississippi, 421 U.S. 213, 219 (1975) (setting forth two-prong test for removal of criminal prosecution where defendant is denied equal civil rights).
Gonzalez does not allege that he is a federal officer or member of the armed forces being prosecuted for actions taken under color of office. He also does not allege that he cannot enforce in the State court criminal proceedings a right to racial equality that is being denied him. Gonzalez therefore ...