Opinion
No. CV 04-1736-ST.
February 20, 2008
OPINION AND ORDER
On October 26, 2007, Magistrate Judge Stewart issued Findings and Recommendation ("F R") (#61) in the above-captioned case recommending that Mr. Bonner's Second Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus be DENIED and a judgment of DISMISSAL be entered. Mr. Bonner filed Objections to the F R (#63), and the state filed a Response to those Objections (#64).
The magistrate judge makes only recommendations to the court, to which any party may file written objections. The court is not bound by the recommendations of the magistrate judge, but retains responsibility for making the final determination. The court is generally required to make a de novo determination of those portions of the report or specified findings or recommendation as to which an objection is made. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C). However, the court is not required to review, under a de novo or any other standard, the factual or legal conclusions of the magistrate judge as to those portions of the F R to which no objections are addressed. See Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 149 (1985); United States v. Reyna-Tapia, 328 F.3d 1114, 1121 (9th Cir. 2003). While the level of scrutiny under which I am required to review the F R depends on whether or not objections have been filed, in either case, I am free to accept, reject, or modify any of the magistrate judge's F R. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C).
Upon review, I agree with Judge Stewart's recommendation, and I ADOPT the F R as my own opinion.
IT IS SO ORDERED.