Source: http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20120224_0002597.ECA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2017-09-23 23:35:59
Document Index: 315083715

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1983', '§ 636', '§ 1915', '§ 1915', '§ 1361', '§ 1361', '§ 2201']

Plaintiff, an inmate confined at Pleasant Valley State Prison, filed this pro se action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. In addition to filing a complaint, plaintiff has filed an application to proceed in forma pauperis. This proceeding was referred to this court by Local Rule 302 pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and is before the undersigned pursuant to plaintiff's consent. See E.D. Cal. Local Rules, Appx. A, at (k)(4).
The court has reviewed plaintiff's complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. Dckt. No. 1. The complaint challenges the alleged failure by defendant to issue him a Social Security card after he legally changed his name. Id. at 3. Plaintiff seeks a declaration of his rights and the duty owed to him by defendant. Id. Plaintiff does not seek monetary damages. For the limited purposes of § 1915A screening, the court finds that the complaint states a cognizable claim against defendant pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1361 and/or 2201. See 28 U.S.C. § 1361 ("The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of any action in the nature of mandamus to compel an officer or employee of the United States or any agency thereof to perform a duty owed to the plaintiff."); 28 U.S.C. § 2201(a) ("In a case of actual controversy within its jurisdiction, . . . , any court of the United States, upon the filing of an appropriate pleading, may declare the rights and other legal relations of any interested party seeking such declaration, whether or not further relief is or could be sought. "); see also Infinity v. Social Sec. Admin., 2010 WL 2889110 (D. Md. July 21, 2010).
Plaintiff has filed a motion for a declaratory judgment, requesting that the court provide a response to his complaint and in forma pauperis application. Dckt. No. 5. In light of this order, that motion is now moot.
3. Plaintiff's motion for a declaratory judgment, Dckt. No. 5, is denied as moot.
4. The allegations in the pleading are sufficient to state a cognizable claim against defendant. Therefore, the Clerk of the Court is directed to issue forthwith all process pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4.
5. The Clerk of Court shall send plaintiff one USM-285 form, one summons, a copy of the complaint, this court's scheduling order, and the forms providing notice of the magistrate judge's ...