Bonilla v. County of San Benito

Background

Steven Wayne Bonilla, identified in the order as a state prisoner and condemned prisoner, filed multiple civil-rights complaints without a lawyer under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a federal law that allows certain claims against government officials. The complaints were nearly identical, named several counties and state officials, and sought relief concerning Bonilla’s underlying conviction. The order also notes that Bonilla had a pending federal petition in the same court and state-court proceedings, both involving legal representation.

Filing-fee status

The court addressed Bonilla’s possible request to proceed without paying the filing fee. It stated that he had been disqualified from that status under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), unless he showed that he was under imminent danger of serious physical injury when he filed the complaints. The court found that the allegations did not show such imminent danger, so Bonilla could not proceed under the filing-fee waiver.

Other legal bars

The court further stated that, even if Bonilla’s request for the filing-fee waiver had been granted, the lawsuits would be barred under Heck v. Humphrey, Younger v. Harris, Demos v. U.S. District Court, or Mullis v. U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The order does not separately explain how each cited legal bar applies to each complaint.

Disposition

The court dismissed the cases with prejudice. It directed the clerk to terminate all pending motions and close the cases. It also directed the clerk to return, without filing, any further documents Bonilla submits in the closed cases. The order was signed by Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton.