Opinion
2:21-cv-01244-WBS-JDP (HC)
09-08-2021
RANDY SIFUENTEZ, Petitioner, v. UNKNOWN, Respondent.
ORDER:
(1) GRANTING PETITIONER'S APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS;
(2) DENYING AS MOOT HIS REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF TIME; AND
(3) FINDING THAT THE PETITION DOES NOT STATE A COGNIZABLE CLAIM AND GRANTING LEAVE TO AMEND WITHIN SIXTY DAYS
ECF Nos. 4, 8, & 10
JEREMY D. PETERSON, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Petitioner, proceeding without counsel, seeks a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. I have reviewed the petition, and it appears that petitioner did not exhaust his claims before filing this case. I will give petitioner a chance to amend and confirm the status of his claims before recommending that this action be dismissed.
The amended petition is before me for preliminary review under Rule 4 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases. Under Rule 4, the judge assigned to the habeas proceeding must examine the habeas petition and order a response to the petition unless it “plainly appears” that the petitioner is not entitled to relief. See Valdez v. Montgomery, 918 F.3d 687, 693 (9th Cir. 2019); Boyd v. Thompson, 147 F.3d 1124, 1127 (9th Cir. 1998).
Petitioner raises numerous claims related to a September 2015 conviction. He states that, after bringing his claims before the California Fifth District Court of Appeal, he did not pursue them further in state court. ECF No. 10 at 3. Federal habeas claims must be exhausted by being presented to the highest state court. Castille v. Peoples, 489 U.S. 346, 351 (1989). Here, petitioner was required to put claims before the California Supreme Court. If petitioner's claims are unexhausted, they may not proceed. He may file an amended petition that reasserts all his claims and confirms their status with regard to exhaustion.
It is ORDERED that:
1. Petitioner's application to proceed in forma pauperis, ECF No. 4, is granted.
2. Petitioner's motion for extension of time to file a habeas petition, ECF No. 8, is denied as moot.
3. Petitioner may file an amended petition within sixty days of this order's entry. If he does not, I will recommend that the current petition be dismissed for the reasons stated in this order.
4. The Clerk of Court is directed to send petitioner a federal habeas form.
IT IS SO ORDERED.