Opinion
No. CIV S-11-136 GEB DAD (TEMP) PS.
January 19, 2011
ORDER
Plaintiff is proceeding in this action pro se. Plaintiff has requested authority pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 to proceed in forma pauperis. This proceeding was referred to this court by Local Rule 72-302(c)(21).
Plaintiff has submitted the affidavit required by § 1915(a) showing that plaintiff is unable to prepay fees and costs or give security for them. Accordingly, the request to proceed in forma pauperis will be granted. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).
The federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. In the absence of a basis for federal jurisdiction, plaintiff's claims cannot proceed in this venue. The complaint alleges this court has subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 (federal question) and 28 U.S.C. § 1332 (diversity). Neither of the alleged bases for subject matter jurisdiction appear to be proper.
To the extent plaintiff alleges federal question jurisdiction is proper because plaintiff pleads a violation of his civil rights, such a claim cannot lie in that defendant does not appear to be a state actor. The Civil Rights Act provides as follows:
Every person who, under color of [state law] . . . subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States . . . to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution . . . shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress.42 U.S.C. § 1983.
To state a claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must allege that: (1) defendant was acting under color of state law at the time the complained of act was committed; and (2) defendant's conduct deprived plaintiff of rights, privileges or immunities secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States. 42 U.S.C. § 1983;see West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988). Here, plaintiff alleges that the defendant is a financial lending corporation which caused his vehicle to be repossessed. There is no allegation of conduct by defendant that can be fairly characterized as state action.
With respect to diversity jurisdiction, plaintiff alleges defendant was a corporation doing business in the State of California. Plaintiff also alleges he is a resident of the State of California. There are no other allegations pertaining to diversity of citizenship. Under these circumstances, diversity jurisdiction is lacking.
From the allegations of the complaint, the court cannot discern any proper basis for subject matter jurisdiction.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Plaintiff's request to proceed in forma pauperis is granted; and
2. No later than January 28, 2011, plaintiff shall show cause why this action should not be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
DATED: January 18, 2011.