Court Opinion

ID: 9480552
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 07:51:15.691684+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:47:45.443825
License: Public Domain

SEITZ, Circuit Judge,
dissenting.
My difference with the majority centers around the following language in its opinion.
“In this case, the district court directed Guyer to sign a limited power of attorney form pending the final adjudication of the validity of the regulation requiring the execution of a power of attorney form. Guyer refused to sign that form. Because Guyer’s conduct in disobeying the court’s orders was contumacious, we are satisfied that the district court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing the habeas petition.”
I do not believe the district court had the right to direct the plaintiff to sign the limited power of attorney. All the court could do, in my view, was to grant plaintiff access to his mail upon the condition that he execute the power of attorney form. If plaintiff chose not to do so, he would suffer the consequences, including the possibility that his action would be dismissed for failure to comply with other court orders or requirements. I do not consider his conduct contumacious in the circumstances.
I agree that a certificate of probable cause should be granted. However, I would vacate the order of the district court and direct that an order be entered along the lines I have described. Thereafter, the district court could address the habeas corpus and civil rights’ claims as circumstances dictated.