Opinion
ORDER and FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
KENDALL J. NEWMAN, Magistrate Judge.
Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, has filed an application for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, together with a request to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915.
Examination of the in forma pauperis affidavit reveals that petitioner is unable to afford the costs of suit. Accordingly, the request for leave to proceed in forma pauperis is granted. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).
The court's records reveal that petitioner filed a prior federal petition for writ of habeas corpus attacking the conviction and sentence challenged in the instant case. See Smith v. McDonald, Case No. 2:09-cv-02967-MCE-GGH P. The previous petition was filed on October 23, 2009, and was denied on the merits by orders filed April 9, 2012, and March 8, 2013. (Id., ECF Nos. 51, 55.)
Before petitioner can proceed with the instant petition, he must obtain leave from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, authorizing the district court to consider the petition. 28 U.S.C. § 2244(b)(3). Therefore, the instant petition must be dismissed without prejudice to its refiling should petitioner obtain such authorization from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Petitioner's application to proceed in forma pauperis is granted; and
2. The Clerk of Court is directed to randomly assign a district judge to this action.
Further, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that:
1. This action be dismissed without prejudice.
These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen days after being served with these findings and recommendations, petitioner may file written objections with the court. The document should be captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." Petitioner is advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst , 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).