Opinion
1:21-cv-00791-SKO (HC)
05-19-2021
DAVID ERNESTO MACKEY, Petitioner, v. BRANDON PRICE, et al., Respondents.
ORDER DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT TO ASSIGN DISTRICT JUDGE
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION TO SUMMARILY DISMISS PETITION
[TWENTY-ONE DAY OBJECTION DEADLINE]
SHEILA K. OBERTO. UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis with a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. He filed the instant petition on May 17, 2021. The petition does not challenge the underlying conviction; it instead presents claims concerning the conditions of his confinement. For this reason, the Court will recommend it be DISMISSED.
DISCUSSION
A. Preliminary Review of Petition
Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases allows a district court to dismiss a petition if it “plainly appears from the petition and any attached exhibits that the petitioner is not entitled to relief in the district court . . . .” Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases. The Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 8 indicate that the court may dismiss a petition for writ of habeas corpus, either on its own motion under Rule 4, pursuant to the respondent's motion to dismiss, or after an answer to the petition has been filed. Herbst v. Cook, 260 F.3d 1039 (9th Cir. 2001).
B. Civil Rights Claims
Petitioner does not challenge his conviction. He contends that prison staff have wrongfully determined he is not compliant in taking his medication. He further requests he be immediately released from custody because he is at high risk for severe illness due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A habeas corpus petition is the correct method for a prisoner to challenge the “legality or duration” of his confinement. Badea v. Cox, 931 F.2d 573, 574 (9th Cir. 1991) (quoting Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 485 (1973)). In contrast, a civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 is the proper method for a prisoner to challenge the conditions of confinement. McCarthy v. Bronson, 500 U.S. 136, 141-42 (1991); Preiser, 411 U.S. at 499. Petitioner's civil rights claims are not cognizable in a federal habeas action and must be dismissed. Petitioner must seek relief for his complaints by way of a civil rights action. Bowman v. California, No. EDCV 19-00184 RGK (RAO), 2019 WL 4740538, at *1-2 (C.D. Cal. June 26, 2019) (Petitioner's request for release from custody based on jail conditions through a habeas petition was dismissed for failure to state a cognizable federal claim. Claims relating to conditions of confinement are more appropriately brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 even though petitioner also requested release from custody as a form of relief).
In Nettles v. Grounds, 830 F.3d 922, 936 (9th Cir. 2016), the Ninth Circuit held that a district court has the discretion to construe a habeas petition as a civil rights action under § 1983. However, recharacterization is appropriate only if it is “amenable to conversion on its face, meaning that it names the correct defendants and seeks the correct relief, ” and only after the petitioner is warned of the consequences of conversion and is provided an opportunity to withdraw or amend the petition. Id. Here, the Court does not find recharacterization to be appropriate. Petitioner does not name the proper defendants and the claims are not amenable to conversion on their face. Accordingly, the Court should not exercise its discretion to recharacterize the action.
The Court will, therefore, recommend that the action be dismissed and the Clerk of Court be directed to send Petitioner a blank civil rights complaint.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to assign a District Judge to the case.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the foregoing, the Court HEREBY RECOMMENDS that the habeas corpus petition be DISMISSED and the Clerk of Court be DIRECTED to provide Petitioner with a blank civil rights complaint form.
This Findings and Recommendation is submitted to the United States District Court Judge assigned to this case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. section 636 (b)(1)(B) and Rule 304 of the Local Rules of Practice for the United States District Court, Eastern District of California. Within twenty-one (21) days after being served with a copy, Petitioner may file written objections with the Court. Such a document should be captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendation.” The Court will then review the Magistrate Judge's ruling pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(C). 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.