Opinion
No. 2:11-cv-0336 GEB KJN P
09-18-2012
PAUL BANCHICH, Petitioner, v. RAUL LOPEZ, Warden, Respondent.
ORDER
Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding without counsel. On August 29, 2012, petitioner filed a motion to grant the petition based on respondent's alleged failure to file a response to the amended petition. On September 13, 2012, petitioner filed a second motion to grant the petition as uncontested by respondent. It appears petitioner seeks entry of default judgment based solely on respondent's alleged late filing.
However, on August 28, 2012, the court granted respondent's nunc pro tunc extension of time to file a response to the petition, and directed respondent to file a responsive pleading on or before August 30, 2012. On August 30, 2012, respondent timely filed a motion to dismiss pursuant to the court's August 28, 2012 order. Therefore, respondent's filing was timely, and petitioner's motions are without merit. Moreover, the failure of the State to file a timely response to the claims in a habeas corpus petition does not entitle petitioner to default judgment. Gordon v. Duran, 895 F.2d 610, 612 (9th Cir. 1990); see also Bleitner v. Welborn, 15 F.3d 652, 653 (7th Cir. 1994) (respondent's failure to timely respond to petition does not entitle petitioner to default); United States ex rel. Mattox v. Scott, 507 F.2d 919, 924 (7th Cir. 1974) (holding that default judgment is not an appropriate remedy for a state's failure to answer a habeas corpus petition); Bermudez v. Reid, 733 F.2d 18 (2nd Cir. 1984) (failure of state attorney general to comply with court's order to respond not a justification for entering default judgment in favor of petitioner). Thus, regardless of whether respondent was delinquent in responding to the court's orders, the court is obligated to hear the case on the merits.
Respondent filed a motion to dismiss on August 30, 2012. Local Rule 230(l) provides in part: "Failure of the responding party to file written opposition or to file a statement of no opposition may be deemed a waiver of any opposition to the granting of the motion . . . ." In light of the pendency of petitioner's motions, petitioner is granted until October 15, 2012, in which to file an opposition to respondent's motion to dismiss.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Petitioner's August 29, 2012 motion (dkt. no. 35) is denied;
2. Petitioner's September 13, 2012 motion (dkt. no. 40) is denied; and
3. Petitioner shall file an opposition to the August 30, 2012 motion to dismiss on or before October 15, 2012. Respondent's reply shall be filed seven days thereafter.
______________________
KENDALL J. NEWMAN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE