Opinion
No. 2:14-cv-02637-JAM-AC
11-17-2014
YC INVESTORS 57, LLC, Plaintiff, v. CHARIS ZOE, Defendant.
ORDER AND FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Plaintiff YC Investors 57, LLC commenced an unlawful detainer action in the Sacramento County Superior Court at a date unspecified by defendant's notice of removal. ECF No. 1 at 2. Defendant removed this action on November 7, 2014, purportedly on the basis of subject matter jurisdiction, along with a request to proceed in forma pauperis. ECF Nos. 1 & 2.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii), when a party seeks to proceed in forma pauperis, the court shall dismiss the case if the court determines that the plaintiff fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. A plaintiff fails to state a claim when the court lacks jurisdiction over the subject matter of the complaint. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1).
Courts "strictly construe the removal statute against removal jurisdiction," and "the defendant always has the burden of establishing that removal is proper." Gaus v. Miles, Inc., 980 F.2d 564, 566 (9th Cir. 1992). Furthermore, "jurisdiction must be rejected if there is any doubt as to the right of removal in the first instance." Id. Removal is proper only if the court could have exercised jurisdiction over the action had it originally been filed in federal court. Caterpillar, Inc. v. Williams, 482 U.S. 386, 392 (1987). The "presence or absence of federal-question jurisdiction is governed by the 'well-pleaded complaint rule,' which provides that federal jurisdiction exists only when a federal question is presented on the face of the plaintiff's properly pleaded complaint." Id.
Defendant does not attach a copy of the complaint filed by plaintiff in Sacramento Superior Court. Defendant's notice of removal does, however, allege that plaintiff's complaint is entitled "Complaint for Unlawful Detainer." ECF No. 1 at 2. Defendant also alleges that plaintiff's complaint concerns property located at 6230 Greenhaven Dr. # 210, Sacramento, California 95831, where he is a tenant. Id. at 1. Defendant argues that plaintiff's cause of action, which he characterizes as seeking ejectment/eviction, is a federal cause of action that should have been brought in federal court. Id. at 4. Defendant also argues that plaintiff's complaint implicates his rights secured by the Civil Rights Act of 1968. Id. Defendant seems to be alleging that he has a defense to plaintiff's unlawful detainer action based on racial discrimination. Id. at 2, 4. A complaint for unlawful detainer does not state a claim under federal law. Further, Defendant's argument that his constitutional rights are at issue by virtue of his defense to plaintiff's action is not a proper basis for removal.
Defendant attempts to incorporate the record of his Sacramento Superior Court case by reference. ECF No. 1 at 4. However, even if the court could theoretically consider the state court record under the incorporation by reference doctrine, see Knievel v. ESPN, 393 F.3d 1068, 1076 (9th Cir. 2005), defendant has included a case number that does not correspond to any case in the court's Public Case Access System, ECF No. 1 at 1.
Removal cannot be based on a defense, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim raising a federal question, whether filed in state or federal court. See Vaden v. Discover Bank, 556 U.S. 49 (2009); Hunter v. Philip Morris USA, 582 F.3d 1039, 1042-43 (9th Cir. 2009); Metro Ford Truck Sales, Inc. v. Ford Motor Co., 145 F.3d 320, 327 (5th Cir. 1998); Preciado v. Ocwen Loan Servicing, 2011 WL 977819, at *1 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 18, 2011); Fed. Nat'l Mortg. Ass'n. v. Bridgeman, 2010 WL 5330499, at *4 (E.D. Cal. Dec. 20, 2010). Defendant's notice of removal indicates that plaintiff's only cause of action is for unlawful detainer, which arises under state law and not under federal law. Thus, this action does not arise under federal law, and jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 does not exist.
Based on the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that defendant's motion to proceed in forma pauperis is granted; and
IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that this action be remanded to the Sacramento County Superior Court.
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, any party may file written objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Id.; see also Local Rule 304(b). Such a document should be captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." Any response to the objections shall be filed with the court and served on all parties within fourteen days after service of the objections. Local Rule 304(d). Failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Turner v. Duncan, 158 F.3d 449, 455 (9th Cir. 1998); Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153, 1156-57 (9th Cir. 1991). DATED: November 17, 2014
/s/_________
ALLISON CLAIRE
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE