# Robert Michael Vanleeuwen v. Warden

> District Court, C.D. California · October 4, 2021

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10042042

## Case

- **Court:** District Court, C.D. California
- **Decided:** October 4, 2021
- **Opinion:** 100trialcourt
- **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

## Citator (automated)

- No negative treatment found by the automated citator. That is not the same as a confirmation that the case is good law; read the citing cases.
- Full citator and citing cases: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10042042

## How later opinions describe it (automated extraction)

- holding “irreparable injury is insufficient unless it is ‘both great and immediate’”

## Opinion text

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
CIVIL MINUTES—GENERAL

Case No. EDCV 21-1593-SVW (KK) Date: October 4, 2021
Title:

Present: The Honorable KENLY KIYA KATO, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

DONNISHA BROWN Not Reported
Deputy Clerk Court Reporter

Attorney(s) Present for Petitioner(s): Attorney(s) Present for Respondent(s):
None Present None Present

Proceedings: Order to Show Cause Why This Action Should Not Be Dismissed Because
Abstention Is Required

I.
INTRODUCTION

On September 17, 2021, Petitioner Robert Michael Vanleeuwen (“Petitioner”), a pre-trial
detainee at Cois M. Byrd Detention Center, constructively filed1 a pro se Petition for Writ of Habeas
Corpus (“Petition”) pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 (“Section 2254”). ECF Docket Nos. (“Dkts.”) 1,
1-2. Petitioner appears to challenge his pretrial confinement due to criminal charges pending in
Riverside County Superior Court and set forth two grounds for habeas relief: (1) “Petitioner was
engaged in conduct protected by the First Amendment rights to Petition and Free Speech” and (2)
“[I]t [is] a violation of due process when a prosecutor pursues charges in retaliation for the exercise
of constitutional and statutory rights.” Id. at 1, 23. As discussed below, the Court orders Petitioner
to show cause why the Petition should not be dismissed because abstention is required under
Younger v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37, 43-45 (1971) (“Younger”).

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1 Under the “mailbox rule,” when a pro se prisoner gives prison authorities a pleading to mail
to court, the court deems the pleading constructively “filed” on the date it is signed. Roberts v.
Marshall, 627 F.3d 768, 770 n.1 (9th Cir. 2010) (citation omitted).
II.
THE PETITION IS SUBJECT TO DISMISSAL BECAUSE
YOUNGER ABSTENTION IS REQUIRED

A. APPLICABLE LAW

When a state prisoner “is challenging the very fact or duration of his physical imprisonment,
and the relief he seeks is a determination that he is entitled to immediate release or a speedier release
from that imprisonment, his sole federal remedy is a writ of habeas corpus.” Preiser v. Rodriguez,
411 U.S. 475, 500 (1973). “[T]he general grant of habeas authority in [28 U.S.C. § 2241] is available
for challenges by a state prisoner who is not in custody pursuant to a state court judgment [such as]
a defendant in pre-trial detention[.]” Stow v. Murashige, 389 F.3d 880, 886 (9th Cir. 2004) (citation
omitted) (holding a pretrial detainee’s request for federal habeas relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2241(c)(3) is
properly brought); Rosenbalm v. Mendocino Superior Ct., No. C 06-7412 SI(PR), 2007 WL 878522,
at *1 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 21, 2007) (“This court may entertain a petition for a writ of habeas corpus
under 28 U.S.C. § 2241(c)(3) by a person who is in custody but not yet convicted or sentenced.”).

Principles of comity and federalism, however, require federal courts to abstain from
interfering with pending state court proceedings. See Younger, 401 U.S. at 43-45. The Ninth
Circuit has held abstention is appropriate when: (1) there is “an ongoing state judicial proceeding”;
(2) the proceeding “implicate[s] important state interests”; (3) there is “an adequate opportunity in
the state proceedings to raise constitutional challenges”; and (4) the requested relief “seek[s] to
enjoin” or has “the practical effect of enjoining” the ongoing state judicial proceeding. Arevalo v.
Hennessy, 882 F.3d 763, 765 (9th Cir. 2018) (citing ReadyLink Healthcare, Inc. v. State Comp. Ins.
Fund, 754 F.3d 754, 758 (9th Cir. 2014)).

“Extraordinary circumstances,” may warrant exception to the “fundamental policy against
federal interference with state criminal prosecutions.” Younger, 401 U.S. at 46, 53-54; Brown v.
Ahern, 676 F.3d 899, 900-01 (9th Cir. 2012) (holding “abstention principles . . . prohibit a federal
court from considering a pre-conviction habeas petition that seeks preemptively to litigate an
affirmative constitutional defense unless the petitioner can demonstrate that ‘extraordinary
circumstances’ warrant federal intervention” (citing Carden v. State of Mont., 626 F.2d 82, 83 (9th
Cir. 1980))). To demonstrate an exception to Younger, a petitioner must show: (1) he would suffer
irreparable harm that is “both great and immediate” if the federal court declines jurisdiction; (2)
there is bad faith or harassment, on the part of state, in prosecuting him; or (3) the state court
system is biased against Petitioner’s federal claim. See Middlesex Cnty. Ethics Comm’n v. Garden
State Bar Ass’n, 457 U.S. 423, 432 (1982); Kugler v. Helfant, 421 U.S. 117, 124-25 (1975); Brown,
676 F.3d at 901 (citing Carden, 626 F.2d at 83).

B. ANALYSIS

As an initial matter, Petitioner is a pretrial detainee with a criminal case pending in the
Riverside County Superior Court. Dkt. 1 at 1, 4. Accordingly, the Petition is governed by 28 U.S.C.
§ 2241(c)(3). See Stow, 389 F.3d at 886.

Petitioner challenges various aspects of his ongoing state criminal proceedings, such as the
trial court’s issuance of a “criminal protective order[],” and seeks relief, including dismissal of his
criminal charges. Dkt. 1 at 4. Therefore, abstention is appropriate because all four Younger
abstention criteria are satisfied. First, Petitioner has an ongoing state judicial proceeding as he awaits
trial in his criminal case in Riverside County Superior Court. Id. at 1, 4. Second, the resolution of
state criminal proceedings clearly implicates important state interests. See Kelly v. Robinson, 479
U.S. 36, 49 (1986) (“The right to formulate and enforce penal sanctions is an important aspect of the
sovereignty retained by the States.” (citing Younger, 401 U.S. at 46)); Middlesex, 457 U.S. at 432
(“Proceedings necessary for the vindication of important state policies or for the functioning of the
state judicial system also evidence the state’s substantial interest in the litigation.”). Third, Petitioner
has “an adequate opportunity in the state proceedings to raise constitutional challenges,” either at
the trial or appellate level, and there appears to be nothing preventing Petitioner from doing so.2
See Arevalo, 882 F.3d at 765. Fourth, habeas relief from this Court in the form of release would
have the “practical effect” of enjoining the state court proceedings. See Bowell v. Paramo, No. CV-
17-9313-TJH (MAA), 2018 WL 4735721, at *4 (C.D. Cal. Aug. 6, 2018), report and recommendation
adopted, 2018 WL 4698250 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 28, 2018), certificate of appealability denied, No. 18-
56319, 2018 WL 6978341 (9th Cir. Dec. 20, 2018) (finding if the court were to grant emergency
release, “it necessarily would entail interference because the ongoing state proceeding effectively
would be terminated” (citing San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Com. Pol. Action Comm. v. City
of San Jose, 546 F.3d 1087, 1095-96 (9th Cir. 2008))).

Moreover, Petitioner fails to identify any “extraordinary circumstances” warranting the
Court’s interference as an exception under Younger. Petitioner provides no proof that he has been
the subject of harassment or that his continued prosecution is in bad faith and without hope of
obtaining a valid conviction. See Brown, 676 F.3d at 901. Petitioner’s various allegations, even
liberally construed, are conclusory and unsupported. See Collins v. People of the State of Cal., No.
CV-16-03703-DMG (KS), 2016 WL 4161973, at *2 (C.D. Cal. Aug. 1, 2016) (“Federal intervention
cannot be predicated on conclusory allegations and Petitioner provides no proof that his continued
prosecution by the state actually stems from bad faith and harassment and not some other basis.”).
Furthermore, Petitioner has not shown he will suffer “irreparable injury” by waiting until the state
court proceedings are concluded to bring his claims in this Court. See Younger, 401 U.S. at 46
(holding “irreparable injury is insufficient unless it is ‘both great and immediate’”).

Hence, under the circumstances of the instant case, abstention under Younger is warranted.

III.
ORDER

For the above reasons, the Petition appears subject to dismissal. Petitioner is therefore
ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE why the Court should not dismiss the Petition because abstention
is required under Younger. Petitioner’s response to this Order must be received no later than
October 25, 2021. Petitioner must respond to this Order by choosing one of the following options:

1. Option One: Petitioner may file a written response informing the Court of any reason
demonstrating Petitioner is entitled to raise his First Amendment and due process claims on
federal habeas corpus at this time or extraordinary circumstances warranting this Court’s
immediate intervention in Petitioner’s state criminal proceedings.

2 Petitioner appears to have filed habeas petitions challenging various aspects of his pre-trial
detention in the California Court of Appeal in case numbers E077508 and E077361. Dkt. 1 at 2.
2. Option Two: Petitioner may file a First Amended Petition curing the above referenced
deficiencies. The First Amended Petition shall be complete in itself. It shall not refer in any
manner to the original Petition. In other words, Petitioner must start over when preparing
the First Amended Petition. If Petitioner chooses to file a First Amended Petition, he must
clearly designate on the face of the document that it is the “First Amended Petition,” it must
bear the docket number assigned to this case, and it must be retyped or rewritten in its
entirety, preferably on the court-approved form.

3. Option Three: Petitioner may voluntarily dismiss this action without prejudice. Petitioner
may request a voluntary dismissal of this action pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
41(a). The Clerk of Court has attached a Notice of Dismissal form. However, the Court
warns any dismissed claims may be later subject to the statute of limitations, because “[a] 1-
year period of limitation shall apply to an application for a writ of habeas corpus by a person
in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court.” 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(1).

The Court expressly warns Petitioner that failure to timely file a response to this
Order will result in the Court dismissing this action without prejudice because abstention is
required and/or for his failure to comply with court orders and failure to prosecute. See
FED. R. CIV. P. 41(b).

The Clerk of Court is directed to serve a copy of this Order on Petitioner at his current
address of record and provide Petitioner with a blank form Petition for his use in filing a First
Amended Petition.

IT IS SO ORDERED.
PRISON IDENTIFICATION/BOOKING NO.
ADDRESS OR PLACE OF CONFINEMENT

Note: It is your responsibility to notify the Clerk of Court in writing of any
change of address. If represented by an attorney, provide his or her
name, address, telephone and facsimile numbers, and e-mail address.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
CASE NUMBER:
CV
To be supplied by the Clerk of the United States District Court
FULL NAME (Include name under which you were convicted )
Petitioner,
v.
G __________________ AMENDED
PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
BY A PERSON IN STATE CUSTODY
28 U.S.C. § 2254
NAME OF WARDEN, SUPERINTENDENT, JAILOR, OR AUTHORIZED
PERSON HAVING CUSTODY OF PETITIONER
Respondent. PLACE/COUNTY OF CONVICTION
PREVIOUSLY FILED, RELATED CASES IN THIS DISTRICT COURT
(List by case number)
CV
CV
INSTRUCTIONS - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
1. To use this form, you must be a person who either is currently serving a sentence under a judgment against you in a California
state court, or will be serving a sentence in the future under a judgment against you in a California state court. You are asking for relief
from the conviction and/or the sentence. This form is your petition for relief.
2. In this petition, you may challenge the judgment entered by only one California state court. If you want to challenge
judgments entered by more than one California state court, you must file a separate petition for each court.
3. Make sure the form is typed or neatly handwritten. You must tell the truth and sign the form. If you make a false statement
of a material fact, you may be prosecuted for perjury.
4. Answer all the questions. You do not need to cite case law, but you do need to state the federal legal theory and operative facts
in support of each ground. You may submit additional pages if necessary. If you do not fill out the form properly, you will be asked to
submit additional or correct information. If you want to submit a legal brief or arguments, you may attach a separate memorandum.
5. You must include in this petition all the grounds for relief from the conviction and/or sentence that you challenge. You must
also state the facts that support each ground. If you fail to set forth all the grounds in this petition, you may be barred from presenting
additional grounds at a later date.
6. You must pay a fee of $5.00. If the fee is paid, your petition will be filed. If you cannot afford the fee, you may ask to proceed
in forma pauperis (as a poor person). To do that, you must fill out and sign the declaration of the last two pages of the form. Also, you
must have an authorized officer at the penal institution complete the certificate as to the amount of money and securities on deposit to
your credit in any account at the institution. If your prison account exceeds $25.00, you must pay the filing fee.
7. When you have completed the form, send the original and two copies to the following address:
Clerk of the United States District Court for the Central District of California
United States Courthouse
ATTN: Intake/Docket Section
255 East Temple Street, Suite TS-134
Los Angeles, California 90012
T1.his p eat ictoionnv iccotniocne rannsd:/or sentence.
2. prison discipline.
3. a parole problem.
4. other.
PETITION
1. Venue
a. Place of detention
b. Place of conviction and sentence
2. Conviction on which the petition is based (a separate petition must be filed for each conviction being attacked).
a. Nature of offenses involved (include all counts) :
b. Penal or other code section or sections:

c. Case number:
d. Date of conviction:
e. Date of sentence:
f. Length of sentence on each count:
g. Plea (check one):
Not guilty
Guilty
Nolo contendere
h. Kind of trial (check one):
Jury
Judge only
3. Did you appeal to the California Court of Appeal from the judgment of conviction? Yes No
If so, give the following information for your appeal (and attach a copy of the Court of Appeal decision if available):
a. Case number:
b. Grounds raised (list each):
(1)
(5)
(6)
c. Date of decision:
d. Result

4. If you did appeal, did you also file a Petition for Review with the California Supreme Court of the Court of Appeal
decision? Yes No
If so, give the following information (and attach copies of the Petition for Review and the Supreme Court ruling if available):
a. Case number:
b. Grounds raised (list each):
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
c. Date of decision:
d. Result
5. If you did not appeal:
a. State your reasons

b. Did you seek permission to file a late appeal? Yes No
6. Have you previously filed any habeas petitions in any state court with respect to this judgment of conviction?
G Yes G No
If so, give the following information for each such petition (use additional pages, if necessary, and attach copies of the petitions and the
rulings on the petitions if available):
a. (1) Name of court:
(2) Case number:
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(5) Date of decision:
(6) Result
(7) Was an evidentiary hearing held? Yes No
b. (1) Name of court:
(2) Case number:
(3) Date filed (or if mailed, the date the petition was turned over to the prison authorities for mailing):
(4) Grounds raised (list each):
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(5) Date of decision:
(6) Result
(7) Was an evidentiary hearing held? Yes No
c. (1) Name of court:
(2) Case number:
(3) Date filed (or if mailed, the date the petition was turned over to the prison authorities for mailing):
(4) Grounds raised (list each):
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(7) Was an evidentiary hearing held? Yes No

7. Did you file a petition for certiorari in the United States Supreme Court? Yes No
If yes, answer the following:
(1) Docket or case number (if you know):
(2) Result:

(3) Date of result (if you know):
(4) Citation to the case (if you know):
8. For this petition, state every ground on which you claim that you are being held in violation of the Constitution,
laws, or treaties of the United States. Attach additional pages if you have more than five grounds. Summarize
briefly the facts supporting each ground. For example, if you are claiming ineffective assistance of counsel, you
must state facts specifically setting forth what your attorney did or failed to do.
CAUTION: Exhaustion Requirement: In order to proceed in federal court, you must ordinarily first exhaust
your state court remedies with respect to each ground on which you are requesting relief from the
federal court. This means that, prior to seeking relief from the federal court, you first must
present all of your grounds to the California Supreme Court.
a. Ground one:
(1) Supporting FACTS:
(2) Did you raise this claim on direct appeal to the California Court of Appeal? Yes No
(3) Did you raise this claim in a Petition for Review to the California Supreme Court? Yes No
(4) Did you raise this claim in a habeas petition to the California Supreme Court? Yes No
b. Ground two:

(1) Supporting FACTS:
(2) Did you raise this claim on direct appeal to the California Court of Appeal? Yes No
(3) Did you raise this claim in a Petition for Review to the California Supreme Court? Yes No
(4) Did you raise this claim in a habeas petition to the California Supreme Court? Yes No
c. Ground three:

(1) Supporting FACTS:

(2) Did you raise this claim on direct appeal to the California Court of Appeal? G Yes G No
(3) Did you raise this claim in a Petition for Review to the California Supreme Court? G Yes G No
(4) Did you raise this claim in a habeas petition to the California Supreme Court? G Yes G No
d. Ground four:
(1) Supporting FACTS:

(2) Did you raise this claim on direct appeal to the California Court of Appeal? G Yes G No
(3) Did you raise this claim in a Petition for Review to the California Supreme Court? G Yes G No
(4) Did you raise this claim in a habeas petition to the California Supreme Court? G Yes G No
e. Ground five:
(1) Supporting FACTS:
9. If any of the grounds listed in paragraph 8 were not previously presented to the California Supreme Court, state
briefly which grounds were not presented, and give your reasons:

10. Have you previously filed any habeas petitions in any federal court with respect to this judgment of conviction?
Yes No
If so, give the following information for each such petition (use additional pages, if necessary, and attach copies of the petitions and
the rulings on the petitions if available):
a. (1) Name of court:
(2) Case number:
(3) Date filed (or if mailed, the date the petition was turned over to the prison authorities for mailing):
(4) Grounds raised (list each):
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(5) Date of decision:
(6) Result
(7) Was an evidentiary hearing held? Yes No
b. (1) Name of court:
(2) Case number:
(3) Date filed (or if mailed, the date the petition was turned over to the prison authorities for mailing):
(4) Grounds raised (list each):
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(7) Was an evidentiary hearing held? Yes No

11. Do you have any petitions now pending (i.e., filed but not yet decided) in any state or federal court with respect to
this judgment of conviction? Yes No
If so, give the following information (and attach a copy of the petition if available):
(1) Name of court:
(2) Case number:
(3) Date filed (or if mailed, the date the petition was turned over to the prison authorities for mailing):
(4) Grounds raised (list each):
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
12. Are you presently represented by counsel? Yes No
If so, provide name, address and telephone number:
WHEREFORE, petitioner prays that the Court grant petitioner all relief to which he may be entitled in this proceeding.

Signature of Attorney (if any)

I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on
Date Signature of Petitioner
Petitioner

Respondent(s) ELECTION REGARDING
CONSENT TO PROCEED BEFORE
A UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
• A magistrate judge is available under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) to conduct all proceedings in this case,
including dispositive matters and entry of final judgment. However, a magistrate judge may be assigned
to rule on dispositive matters only if all parties voluntarily consent.
• Parties are free to withhold consent to magistrate judge jurisdiction without adverse substantive
consequences.
• If both parties consent to have a magistrate judge decide the case, any appeal would be made directly to
the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, as if a district judge had decided the matter.
• Unless both parties consent to have a magistrate judge decide the case, the assigned magistrate judge
will continue to decide only non-dispositive matters, and will issue a Report and Recommendation to
the district judge as to all dispositive matters.
Please check the “yes” or “no” box regarding your decision to consent to a United States Magistrate Judge
and sign below.
Yes, I voluntarily consent to have a United States Magistrate Judge conduct all further proceedings in this case, decide
all dispositive and non-dispositive matters, and order the entry of final judgment.
No, I do not consent to have a United States Magistrate Judge conduct all further proceedings in this case.
Executed on
Date Signature of Petitioner/Counsel for Petitioner
Petitioner
DECLARATION IN SUPPORT
OF REQUEST
TO PROCEED
Respondent(s) IN FORMA PAUPERIS
I, , declare that I am the petitioner in the above entitled case;
that in support of my motion to proceed without being required to prepay fees, costs or give security therefor, I state that
because of my poverty I am unable to pay the costs of said proceeding or to give security therefor; that I believe I am
entitled to relief.
1. Are you presently employed? Yes No
a. If the answer is yes, state the amount of your salary or wages per month, and give the name and address of your
employer.
b. If the answer is no, state the date of last employment and the amount of the salary and wages per month which
you received.
2. Have you received, within the past twelve months, any money from any of the following sources?
a. Business, profession or form of self-employment? Yes No
b. Rent payments, interest or dividends? Yes No
c. Pensions, annuities or life insurance payments? Yes No
d. Gifts or inheritances? Yes No
e. Any other sources? Yes No
If the answer to any of the above is yes, describe each source of money and state the amount received from each
during the past twelve months:
3. Do you own any cash, or do you have money in a checking or savings account? (Include any funds in prison accounts)
No
4. Do you own any real estate, stocks, bonds, notes, automobiles, or other valuable property? (Excluding ordinary
household furnishings and clothing) Yes No
If the answer is yes, describe the property and state its approximate value:

5. List the persons who are dependent upon you for support, state your relationship to those persons, and indicate how
much you contribute toward their support:

I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed on
Date Signature of Petitioner
CERTIFICATE
I hereby certify that the Petitioner herein has the sum of $ on account to his credit
at the institution where he is
confined. I further certify that Petitioner likewise has the following securities to his credit according to the records of said
institution:

Date Authorized Officer of Institution/Title of Officer
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
CASE NUMBER
Plaintiff(s),
v.
NOTICE OF DISMISSAL PURSUANT
TO FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL
PROCEDURE 41(a) or (c)
Defendant(s).
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: (Check one)
G This action is dismissed by the Plaintiff(s) in its entirety.
G The Counterclaim brought by Claimant(s) is
dismissed by Claimant(s) in its entirety.
G The Cross-Claim brought by Claimants(s) is
dismissed by the Claimant(s) in its entirety.
G The Third-party Claim brought by Claimant(s) is
dismissed by the Claimant(s) in its entirety.
G ONLY Defendant(s)
is/are dismissed from (check one)G Complaint, G Counterclaim, G Cross-claim, G Third-Party Claim
brought by .
The dismissal is made pursuant to F.R.Civ.P. 41(a) or (c).
Date Signature of Attorney/Party
NOTE: F.R.Civ.P. 41(a): This notice may be filed at any time before service by the adverse party of an answer or of a motion for
summary judgment, whichever first occurs.
F.R.Civ.P. 41(c): Counterclaims, cross-claims & third-party claims may be dismissed before service of a responsive

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10042042. Public record. Not legal advice.