Bush v. Hetzel et al(INMATE 1)

Filing 4

ORDER that Wesley Maurice Bush's 1 Motion for TRO is DENIED as further set out in the order. It is further ORDERED that this case is REFERRED, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b), to the Magistrate Judge for all pretrial proceedings and entry of any orders or recommendations as may be appropriate. Signed by Chief Judge William Keith Watkins on 8/30/2012. (dmn, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
NORTHERN DIVISION
WESLEY MAURICE BUSH,
Plaintiff,
v.
GARY HETZEL, et al.,
Defendants.

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CASE NO. 2:12-CV-742-WKW
[WO]

ORDER
Before the court is Plaintiff Wesley Maurice Bush’s Motion for Temporary
Restraining Order (“TRO”), which is accompanied by an unsworn declaration
submitted under penalty of perjury. (Compl. (Doc. # 1)); see also 28 U.S.C. § 1746.
Mr. Bush is an inmate at Easterling Correctional Facility in Clio, Alabama. He alleges
that Defendants assigned him to administrative segregation as a protective measure
in lieu of a transfer to another facility, in violation of his First Amendment right to
freedom of association. He moves for a TRO to “correct the violation.” (Compl. ¶ 4.)

A temporary restraining order may be issued without notice only if
(A) specific facts in an affidavit or a verified complaint clearly show that
immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result to the
movant before the adverse party can be heard in opposition; and

(B) the movant[ ] . . . certifies in writing any efforts made to give notice
and the reasons why it should not be required.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b)(1). A temporary restraining order also requires the same four
elements as a preliminary injunction, and the movant bears the burden of
demonstrating that they are present. See Parker v. State Bd. of Pardons & Paroles,
275 F.3d 1032, 1034–35 (11th Cir. 2001).1
Mr. Bush has not demonstrated the requirements for Rule 65(b) relief. First,
Mr. Bush has not shown or argued that he will suffer immediate and irreparable injury
if Defendants are given an opportunity to respond to the motion. Second, Mr. Bush
has not demonstrated that a TRO is necessary to prevent irreparable injury. Third, he
has not certified in writing any efforts made to give notice and the reasons why it
should not be required. Fourth, he has not demonstrated a substantial likelihood of
success on the merits.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that the Motion for Temporary Restraining Order
(Doc. # 1) is DENIED.

1

These four elements are “(1) a substantial likelihood of success on the merits, (2) a
threat of irreparable injury, (3) that [movant’s] own injury would outweigh the injury to the
nonmovant, and (4) that the injunction would not disserve the public interest.” Tefel v. Reno,
180 F.3d 1286, 1295 (11th Cir. 1999).
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It is further ORDERED that this case is REFERRED, pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§ 636(b), to the Magistrate Judge for all pretrial proceedings and entry of any orders
or recommendations as may be appropriate.
DONE this 30th day of August, 2012.
/s/ W. Keith Watkins
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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