Opinion
Case No. C02-5678FDB
January 9, 2003
ORDER REFUSING TO SERVE PETITION AND DIRECTING PETITIONER TO SHOW CAUSE
The Court, having reviewed the § 2254 petition filed in this case, does hereby find and ORDER:
(1) The Court will not order a response to the petition because the petition does not indicate that petitioner's grounds for federal relief have been properly exhausted in state court. Specifically, the petition does not show that his claims for federal relief have been presented to the Washington State Supreme Court.
The exhaustion of state court remedies is a prerequisite to the granting of a petition for writ of habeas corpus. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(b)(1). If exhaustion is to be waived, it must be waived explicitly by respondent. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(b)(3). A waiver of exhaustion, thus, may not be implied or inferred. A petition can satisfy the exhaustion requirement by providing the highest state court with a full and fair opportunity to consider all claims before presenting them to the federal court. Picard v. Connor, 404 U.S. 270, 276 (1971);Middleton v. Cupp, 768 F.2d 1083, 1086 (9th Cir.), cert denied, 478 U.S. 1021 (1986). Full and fair presentation of claims to the state court requires "full factual development" of the claims in that forum.Kenney v. Tamayo-Reyes, 504 U.S. 1, 8 (1992).
(2) Petitioner is directed to show cause by February 21, 2003, why the petition should not be dismissed for lack of exhaustion.
(3) The Clerk is directed to send copies of this Order and the General Order to petitioner. In addition, the clerk is directed to send petitioner a blank § 2254 form/packet to review and complete.