Opinion
Case No. 16-cv-01736-DMR (PR)
04-14-2016
RAYMOND CHARLES MORRIS, Petitioner, v. J. MACDONALD, Warden, Respondent.
ORDER OF TRANSFER
Petitioner, a state prisoner who is incarcerated at the La Palma Correctional Center in Arizona, has filed this pro se petition for a writ of habeas corpus challenging a judgment of conviction from the Shasta County Superior Court. Dkt. 1. Petitioner has consented to magistrate judge jurisdiction in this action, which has been assigned to the undersigned Magistrate Judge. Id. at 8. Petitioner has also filed a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Dkt. 2.
A petition for a writ of habeas corpus made by a person in custody under the judgment and sentence of a state court of a State which contains two or more federal judicial districts may be filed in either the district of confinement or the district of conviction. See 28 U.S.C. § 2241(d). The district court where the petition is filed, however, may transfer the petition to the other district in the furtherance of justice. See id. Federal courts in California traditionally have chosen to hear petitions challenging a conviction or sentence in the district of conviction. See Dannenberg v. Ingle, 831 F. Supp. 767, 767 (N.D. Cal. 1993); Laue v. Nelson, 279 F. Supp. 265, 266 (N.D. Cal. 1968). If the petition is directed to the manner in which a sentence is being executed, e.g., if it involves parole or time credits claims, the district of confinement is the preferable forum. See Habeas L.R. 2254-3(a); Dunne v. Henman, 875 F.2d 244, 249 (9th Cir. 1989).
Here, Petitioner challenges a conviction and sentence incurred in the Shasta County Superior Court, which is within the venue of the Eastern District of California. See 28 U.S.C. § 84. Because Petitioner is challenging his conviction, venue for the instant habeas action is proper in the district of conviction. 28 U.S.C. § 2241(d).
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1406(a) and Habeas L.R. 2254-3(b), and in the interest of justice, this action is TRANSFERRED to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. The Clerk shall transfer the case forthwith.
Venue transfer is a non-dispositive matter and, thus, it falls within the scope of the jurisdiction of the undersigned Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A). --------
All remaining pending motions are TERMINATED on this court's docket as no longer pending in this district. Dkt. 2.
IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: April 14, 2016
/s/_________
DONNA M. RYU
United States Magistrate Judge