Summary
rejecting argument that Court of Appeals' summary affirmance due to failure to present a substantial question of law on appeal supported a finding of procedural default
Summary of this case from Stidham v. WashburnOpinion
No. CV 07-141-HU.
May 25, 2009
OPINION AND ORDER
On April 29, 2009, Magistrate Judge Hubel issued Findings and Recommendation ("F R") (#54) in the above-captioned case recommending that I DENY plaintiff's Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (#26) as to grounds for relief A(2), A(3), A(4), B(1), and B(2) and ORDER FURTHER BRIEFING as to grounds for relief A(1) and A(5). Plaintiff filed objections (#55).
DISCUSSION
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 Hubel's recommendation, and I ADOPT the F R (#54) as my own opinion.
IT IS SO ORDERED.