From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research

Razavi v. Supercuts Salon

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA SAN JOSE DIVISION
Jun 18, 2015
Case No. 5:15-cv-02574-HRL (N.D. Cal. Jun. 18, 2015)

Opinion

Case No. 5:15-cv-02574-HRL

06-18-2015

MELINA RAZAVI, Plaintiff, v. SUPERCUTS SALON, REGIS CORPORATION, AND DOES 1-100, Defendants.


ORDER THAT CASE BE REASSIGNED TO A DISTRICT JUDGE

ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION RE DISMISSAL FOR LACK OF SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION

Melina Razavi sues for personal injuries allegedly suffered during a visit to a Supercuts salon. She also moves for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP). For the reasons discussed below, this court grants her IFP application, but recommends that her complaint be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

A court may authorize the commencement of a civil action IFP if the court is satisfied that the applicant cannot pay the requisite filing fees. 28 U.S.C § 1915(a)(1). In evaluating such an application, the court should "gran[t] or den[y] IFP status based on the applicant's financial resources alone and then independently determin[e] whether to dismiss the complaint on the grounds that it is frivolous." Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1226-27 n.5 (9th Cir. 1984). A court may dismiss a case filed without the payment of the filing fee whenever it determines that the action "(i) is frivolous or malicious; (ii) fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted; or (iii) seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief." 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i)-(iii). This court notes that Razavi's application fails to state whether the complaint she seeks to file raises claims that have been presented in other lawsuits. (Dkt. 2 at 4). Nevertheless, she qualifies financially for IFP status, and her IFP application therefore is granted.

Even so, the court has a continuing duty to determine whether it has subject matter jurisdiction. Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h). This court concludes that Razavi may not proceed with this action here because there is no federal subject matter jurisdiction over this matter.

Razavi fails to show that jurisdiction is proper based on any federal law. Federal courts have original jurisdiction over civil actions "arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States." 28 U.S.C. § 1331. A claim "arises under" federal law if, based on the "well-pleaded complaint rule," the plaintiff alleges a federal claim for relief. Vaden v. Discovery Bank, 129 S. Ct. 1262, 1272 (2009). Plaintiff's complaint presents a personal injury claim arising only under state law. It does not allege any federal claims whatsoever. And, it is not apparent that she could plead any such claim.

Nor does this court find any basis for diversity jurisdiction. Federal district courts have jurisdiction over civil actions in which the matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000 (exclusive of interest and costs) and is between citizens of different states. 28 U.S.C. §1332. Razavi fails to identify the citizenship of each defendant, and there is no indication that the amount in controversy requirement is satisfied.

There being no basis for federal subject matter jurisdiction, Razavi's complaint should be dismissed.

Because the parties have yet to consent to the undersigned's jurisdiction, this court ORDERS the Clerk of the Court to reassign this case to a District Judge. The undersigned further RECOMMENDS that the newly assigned judge dismiss the complaint. Any party may serve and file objections to this Report and Recommendation within fourteen days after being served. Fed. R. Civ. P. 72.

SO ORDERED. Dated: June 18, 2015

/s/_________

HOWARD R. LLOYD

United States Magistrate Judge
5:15-cv-02574-HRL A copy of this order sent on June 18, 2015 by U.S. Mail to: Melina Razavi
1200 Franklin Mall
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Melina Razavi
P.O. Box 53034
San Jose, CA 95153


Summaries of

Razavi v. Supercuts Salon

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA SAN JOSE DIVISION
Jun 18, 2015
Case No. 5:15-cv-02574-HRL (N.D. Cal. Jun. 18, 2015)
Case details for

Razavi v. Supercuts Salon

Case Details

Full title:MELINA RAZAVI, Plaintiff, v. SUPERCUTS SALON, REGIS CORPORATION, AND DOES…

Court:UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA SAN JOSE DIVISION

Date published: Jun 18, 2015

Citations

Case No. 5:15-cv-02574-HRL (N.D. Cal. Jun. 18, 2015)