F and W Thunderbird v. Steve M Lockett et al

Filing 8

MINUTES (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER REMANDING MATTER TO STATE COURT by Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald. The notice of removal has not alleged diversity jurisdiction, and it is clear from the face of the Complaint that no diversity jurisdiction exists under 28 U.S.C. 1332. The Court thus REMANDS the action to state court forthwith and orders the Court Clerk promptly to serve this order on all parties who have appeared in this action. Case Terminated. Made JS-6 (iv)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JS-6

CIVIL MINUTES – GENERAL
Case No. CV 18-01976 MWF (AFMx)
Title

Date: March 12, 2018

F & W Thunderbird v. Steve M. Lockett, Erin Lockett and Does One through Ten

Present: The Honorable: Michael W. Fitzgerald, U.S. District Judge
Rita Sanchez
Deputy Clerk

N/A
Court Reporter / Recorder

Attorneys Present for Plaintiff:
N/A

Attorneys Present for Defendants:
N/A

Proceedings: (In Chambers)

ORDER REMANDING MATTER TO STATE COURT

On December 26, 2017, F & W Thunderbird (“Plaintiff”) instituted unlawful detainer
proceedings against Steve M. Lockett, Erin Lockett and Doe One through Ten, inclusive
(“Defendants”) in state court. Defendants have allegedly continued in unlawful possession of the
property located at 3613 Fairgreen Lane, Palmdale, California 93551 (“the Property”). Defendants
allegedly entered into a month-to-month tenancy of the Property on or about March 11, 2015 (Compl.
¶ 3), with rent at $2,300.00 per month. At the time of the 3-day notice to quit, the rent due by
Defendants was allegedly $6,900.00. Plaintiff estimates the fair rental value of the property as $75.62
per day. Plaintiff filed its unlawful detainer complaint in state court after Defendants failed to comply
with the notice to quit. Defendants removed the action to this Court on March 9, 2018. Defendants
assert federal question jurisdiction in this Court: “Federal question exists because Defendant’s Answer,
a pleading depend on the determination of Defendant’s rights and Plaintiff’s duties under federal law.”
(Notice of Removal, ¶ 10.) Diversity jurisdiction is not alleged.
Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, having subject matter jurisdiction only over
matters authorized by the Constitution and Congress. See, e.g., Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins. Co.,
511 U.S. 375, 377 (1994). It is this Court’s duty to always examine its own subject matter jurisdiction,
see Arbaugh v. Y&H Corp., 546 U.S. 500, 514 (2006), and the Court may remand a case summarily if
there is an obvious jurisdictional issue. Cf. Scholastic Entm’t, Inc. v. Fox Entm’t Grp., Inc., 336 F.3d
982, 985 (9th Cir. 2003) (“While a party is entitled to notice and an opportunity to respond when a
court contemplates dismissing a claim on the merits, it is not so when the dismissal is for lack of
subject matter jurisdiction.”) (omitting internal citations). A defendant attempting to remove an action
from state to federal court bears the burden of proving that jurisdiction exists. See Scott v. Breeland,
792 F.2d 925, 927 (9th Cir. 1986). Further a “strong presumption” against removal jurisdiction exists.
See Gaus v. Miles, Inc., 980 F.2d 564, 567 (9th Cir. 1992).

CV-90 (03/15)

Civil Minutes – General

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
CIVIL MINUTES – GENERAL
Case No. CV 18-01976 MWF (AFMx)
Title

Date: March 12, 2018

F & W Thunderbird v. Steve M. Lockett, Erin Lockett and Does One through Ten

Subject matter jurisdiction exists over civil actions “arising under” federal law. 28 U.S.C.
§ 1331. A claim arises under federal law “when a federal question is presented on the face of plaintiff’s
properly pleaded complaint.” See Caterpillar, Inc. v. Williams, 482 U.S. 386, 392 (1987). Plaintiff’s
Complaint herein contains a single cause of action for unlawful detainer, a state law claim. There is no
federal question jurisdiction even if there is a federal defense to the claim or a counterclaim arising
under federal law. See Caterpillar, Inc., 482 U.S. at 392-93. This is a simple state law unlawful
detainer case, and there is no federal question presented on the face of Plaintiff’s Complaint.
Moreover, the notice of removal has not alleged diversity jurisdiction, and it is clear from the
face of the Complaint that no diversity jurisdiction exists under 28 U.S.C. § 1332. The amount
demanded on the face of the Complaint is alleged not to exceed $10,000 − well below the statutory
threshold of $75,000. The Complaint specifically asserts a claim for past due rent of $6,900.00, plus
ongoing damages at a rate of $75.62 per day. Defendants have made no plausible allegations showing
how those damages would exceed $75,000.
The Court thus REMANDS the action to state court forthwith and orders the Court Clerk
promptly to serve this order on all parties who have appeared in this action.
cc: Pro Se Defendants

Initials of Preparer

CV-90 (03/15)

Civil Minutes – General

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