Hill v. Rivera

Background

Cymeyon V. Hill, a civil detainee held at California State Prison—Sacramento, filed a civil-rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 without a lawyer. He later filed an amended complaint, which became the operative complaint. The claims arose from Patton State Hospital, where Hill had previously been incarcerated. Hill also filed a motion to proceed without paying the filing fee.

Venue Analysis

The court considered whether the case should be transferred to another federal district. It determined that venue was proper in the Central District of California because the relevant events and omissions occurred at Patton State Hospital, which is in San Bernardino County. The court stated that the witnesses and evidence were likely to be found primarily in that district.

The court also found that none of the events giving rise to the complaint occurred in the Northern District of California. It stated that Hill did not reside in that district because California State Prison—Sacramento is not located there, and that Hill had not alleged a substantial connection between his claims and the Northern District.

Disposition

In the interest of justice and under 28 U.S.C. § 1406(a), the court transferred the action to the Eastern Division of the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The clerk was ordered to transfer the case immediately. The court also terminated all pending motions on its docket because they were no longer pending in the Northern District. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers signed the order.