Casares v. Rojas

Background

Plaintiff Manuel Jose Casares, a prisoner at Correctional Training Facility (CTF), filed a pro se (self-represented) civil rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the federal statute that allows individuals to sue state or local officials for constitutional violations. The complaint names two defendants: (1) CTF Warden Cynthia Rojas and (2) Jefferey Macomber, Secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Casares alleges that defendants have violated his Eighth Amendment rights by housing him in an unconstitutionally inadequate living space, and he seeks damages. The case was noted as related to a prior proceeding raising similar or identical allegations.

A prior service order (Dkt. No. 11), dated August 19, 2026, incorrectly listed former CTF Warden Edward Borla as a defendant instead of the current warden, Cynthia Rojas. The instant order amends and vacates that prior order to correct the error.

Screening Standard

Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A, a federal court must screen any complaint in which a prisoner seeks redress from a governmental entity or official. The court must identify cognizable claims and dismiss claims that are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seek monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief. Pro se pleadings must be liberally construed. To survive screening, a complaint must provide enough facts to state a plausible claim for relief — not merely labels and conclusions.

To state a claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must allege: (1) that a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States was violated; and (2) that the alleged violation was committed by a person acting under color of state law.

The Eighth Amendment Claim

The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. The Supreme Court has held that while the Constitution does not mandate comfortable prisons, it does require that prisoners receive the "minimal civilized measure of life's necessities." The court found that Casares's complaint, liberally construed, adequately states an Eighth Amendment claim against both defendants based on alleged inadequate living space.

Disposition

Judge Lee issued this amended order of service, which:

- Vacates the prior order of service dated August 19, 2026. - Orders service on defendants Cynthia Rojas (Warden of CTF) and Jefferey Macomber (Secretary of CDCR) through the CDCR's electronic service program for civil rights cases involving CDCR prisoners. - Directs the Clerk to serve the CDCR via email with the operative complaint, this order, a CDCR Report of E-Service Waiver form, and a summons. - Requires the CDCR, within 40 days of email service, to report which defendants will waive formal service and which will not. Defendants who waive service through the CDCR's program will have 60 days from the date the CDCR provides the waiver report to the California Attorney General's Office to file an answer; those served by the U.S. Marshal Service (USMS) must answer within 21 days of being served. - Notes that briefing is currently stayed while the court considers whether to designate a bellwether case — a single test case to be litigated first among related cases — with further scheduling to follow that determination.

Procedural Notes

The court reminds Casares, as a self-represented litigant, that he must keep the court informed of any address changes, serve all communications on defendants or their counsel, and comply with court orders. Under Local Rule 3-11, the case may be dismissed if mail to Casares is returned undeliverable and no current address is received within 60 days.