Case Name: Steven M. GRIGGS, Petitioner-Appellant, v. L.E. FLEMING, Warden, Federal Medical Center-Fort Worth, Respondent-Appellee
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2004-02-13
Citations: 88 F. App'x 705
Docket Number: No. 03-10727
Parties: Steven M. GRIGGS, Petitioner-Appellant, v. L.E. FLEMING, Warden, Federal Medical Center-Fort Worth, Respondent-Appellee.
Judges: Before BARKSDALE, EMILIO M. GARZA, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 88
Pages: 705–705

Head Matter:
Steven M. GRIGGS, Petitioner-Appellant, v. L.E. FLEMING, Warden, Federal Medical Center-Fort Worth, Respondent-Appellee.
No. 03-10727.
Summary Calendar.
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
Feb. 13, 2004.
Before BARKSDALE, EMILIO M. GARZA, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Stephen M. Griggs, federal prisoner # 22276-044, challenges the dismissal for failure to state a claim of his 28 U.S.C. § 2241 habeas petition seeking immediate release, renewing his argument that President Clinton intended to grant him clemency. He urges that, because President Clinton allegedly wrote a note evidencing an intent to pardon him, the fact that he was not actually pardoned shows that the clemency process was somehow adulterated, which violated his constitutional rights, specifically, his right to due process. Griggs additionally contends that further fact finding is required to determine why the President's intention was frustrated and urges that dismissal prior to discovery was thus inappropriate.
This court reviews de novo a district court's dismissal of a § 2241 petition on the pleadings. See Kinder v. Purdy, 222 F.3d 209, 212 (5th Cir.2000). To obtain federal habeas relief, a petitioner must show a federal constitutional violation. 28 U.S.C. § 2241(c)(3). Griggs has made no such showing. As he apparently concedes, Griggs has not actually received a Presidential pardon, and he has no constitutional right to such pardon. See Connecticut Bd. of Pardons v. Dumschat, 452 U.S. 458, 464-67, 101 S.Ct. 2460, 69 L.Ed.2d 158 (1981); see also 28 C.F.R. § 1.11. Because Griggs had no constitutional right to a Presidential pardon, he was not entitled to due process in connection with the procedure by which his petition for a pardon was considered. See id. Griggs cites no relevant authority to the contrary. His argument that discovery was required pri- or to dismissal is unpersuasive because the issue on which he sought discovery, the reason why President Clinton did not pardon him, is irrelevant. The district court's judgment is AFFIRMED.
Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.