Opinion
CASE NO. 1:11-cv-00609-AWI-BAM PC
03-28-2012
HILTON FISHER, Plaintiff, v. S. ADAIR, Defendant.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMMENDING DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR A COURT ORDER
(ECF No. 29)
OBJECTIONS DUE WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS
Plaintiff Hilton Fisher ("Plaintiff") is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On March 14, 2012, an order issued dismissing Plaintiff's first amended complaint, with leave to amend, for failure to state a claim. (ECF No. 28.) On March 26, 2012, Plaintiff filed a motion for a court order allowing him access to the law library so he could do legal research to file his second amended complaint. (ECF No. 29.)
Plaintiff's request is a form of a preliminary injunction. "A preliminary injunction is an extraordinary remedy never awarded as of right." Winter v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 129 S. Ct. 365, 376 (2008) (citation omitted). "A plaintiff seeking a preliminary injunction must establish that he is likely to succeed on the merits, that he is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief, that the balance of equities tips in his favor, and that an injunction is in the public interest." Marlyn Nutraceuticals, Inc. v. Mucos Pharma GmbH & Co., 571 F.3d 873, 877 (9th Cir. 2009) quoting Winter, 129 S. Ct. at 374. An injunction may only be awarded upon a clear showing that the plaintiff is entitled to relief. Winter, 129 S. Ct. at 376 (citation omitted) (emphasis added).
Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction and in considering a request for preliminary injunctive relief, the Court is bound by the requirement that as a preliminary matter, it have before it an actual case or controversy. City of Los Angeles v. Lyons, 461 U.S. 95, 102 (1983); Valley Forge Christian Coll. v. Ams. United for Separation of Church and State, Inc., 454 U.S. 464, 471 (1982). If the Court does not have an actual case or controversy before it, it has no power to hear the matter in question. Valley Forge Christian Coll., 454 U.S. at 471; also Steel Co. v. Citizens for a Better Env't, 523 U.S. 83, 94 (1998). Requests for prospective relief are further limited by 18 U.S.C. § 3626(a)(1)(A) of the Prison Litigation Reform Act which requires that the relief "shall extend no further than necessary to correct the violation of the Federal right of a particular plaintiff or plaintiffs."
At this stage in the litigation, Plaintiff's first amended complaint has been dismissed for failure to state a claim. Until Plaintiff files an amended complaint and the Court is able to determine which claims are cognizable and appropriately raised in this action, the Court lacks jurisdiction to issue any preliminary injunctions. 18 U.S.C. § 3626(a)(1)(A); Summers v. Earth Island Inst., 129 S. Ct. 1149 (2009). Further, absent a cognizable claim based upon lack of access to the law library, the Court cannot grant the relief requested. If Plaintiff needs additional time to file his amended complaint due to limited access to the law library, he may file a motion for an extension of time.
Accordingly, it is HEREBY RECOMMENDED that Plaintiff's motion for a court order, filed March 26, 2012, be DENIED.
These findings and recommendations will be submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen (14) days after being served with these findings and recommendations, Plaintiff may file written objections with the Court. The document should be captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." Plaintiff 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).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Barbara A. McAuliffe
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE