(HC) Briggs v. Schuyler

[7] 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA [10] 11 JOHNNY LEE BRIGGS, No. 1:24-cv-00310-KES-SKO (HC) 12 Petitioner, ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, DENYING 13 PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS, DECLINING TO ISSUE 14 v. CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY, AND DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT TO ENTER 15 JUDGMENT AND CLOSE CASE [16] C. SCHUYLER, Docs. 1, 11 [17] Respondent. [19] Petitioner Johnny Lee Briggs is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis [20] with a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 . This matter was referred [21] to a United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 302. [22] On June 7, 2024, the assigned magistrate judge issued findings and recommendations to [23] deny the petition on its merits. Doc. 11. Those findings and recommendations were served upon [24] all parties and contained notice that any objections thereto were to be filed within thirty (30) days [25] after service. On June 24, 2024, petitioner filed objections to the findings and recommendations. [26] Doc. 14. [27] In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1), the Court has conducted a de [28] 1 novo review of the case. Having carefully reviewed the file, including petitioner’s objections, the 2 Court concludes that the findings and recommendations are supported by the record and proper 3 analysis. Petitioner’s objections fail to establish any error in the findings and recommendations. 4 See id. at 2–5. 5 In addition, the Court declines to issue a certificate of appealability. A state prisoner 6 seeking a writ of habeas corpus has no absolute entitlement to appeal a district court’s denial of 7 his petition, and an appeal is only allowed in certain circumstances. Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 8 U.S. 322, 335-336 (2003). The controlling statute in determining whether to issue a certificate of 9 appealability is 28 U.S.C. § 2253 , which provides as follows: 10 (a) In a habeas corpus proceeding or a proceeding under section 2255 before a district judge, the final order shall be subject to review, on appeal, by the court of 11 appeals for the circuit in which the proceeding is held. 12 (b) There shall be no right of appeal from a final order in a proceeding to test the validity of a warrant to remove to another district or place for commitment or 13 trial a person charged with a criminal offense against the United States, or to test the validity of such person's detention pending removal proceedings. [14] (c) (1) Unless a circuit justice or judge issues a certificate of appealability, an 15 appeal may not be taken to the court of appeals from— 16 (A) the final order in a habeas corpus proceeding in which the detention complained of arises out of process issued by a State 17 court; or 18 (B) the final order in a proceeding under section 2255. 19 (2) A certificate of appealability may issue under paragraph (1) only if the applicant has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional 20 right. 21 (3) The certificate of appealability under paragraph (1) shall indicate which specific issue or issues satisfy the showing required by paragraph (2). [22] 23 If a court denies a petitioner’s petition, the court may issue a certificate of appealability 24 only when a petitioner makes a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right. 28 25 U.S.C. § 2253 (c)(2). To make a substantial showing, the petitioner must establish that 26 “reasonable jurists could debate whether (or, for that matter, agree that) the petition should have 27 been resolved in a different manner or that the issues presented were ‘adequate to deserve 28 encouragement to proceed further.’” Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000) (quoting 1 | Barefoot v. Estelle, 463 U.S. 880, 893 (1983)). 2 In the present case, the Court finds that petitioner has not made the required substantial 3 | showing of the denial of a constitutional right to justify the issuance of a certificate of 4 | appealability. Reasonable jurists would not find the Court’s determination that petitioner is not 5 | entitled to federal habeas corpus relief debatable, wrong, or deserving of encouragement to 6 | proceed further. Thus, the Court declines to issue a certificate of appealability. 7 Accordingly, 8 1. The findings and recommendations issued on June 7, 2024, Doc. 11, are 9 ADOPTED IN FULL; 10 2. The petition for writ of habeas corpus is DENIED; 11 3. The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment and close the case; and 12 4. The Court declines to issue a certificate of appealability. [14] 15 | IT IS SO ORDERED. _ : 16 Dated: _ December 10, 2024 4h UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE