Deavila v. Dir, TDCJ

Filing 2

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER that petition for writ is TRANSFERRED to Dallas Division for Northern Dist of Texas (Held for 20 days before transferring to see if any objections per Local Rule CV 83). Signed by Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven on 4/11/2013. (sm, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
TEXARKANA DIVISION
JAVIER MUNOZ DEAVILA

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VS.

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DIRECTOR, TDJC-CID

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CIVIL ACTION NO. 5:13-CV-32

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Petitioner Javier Munoz Deavila, an inmate confined at the Telford Unit of the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division, proceeding pro se, brings this
petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254.
The above-styled action was referred to the undersigned magistrate judge pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 636 and the Local Rules for the Assignment of Duties to the United States Magistrate Judge
for findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations for the disposition of the case.
Discussion
Title 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a) allows a district court to “entertain an application for a writ of
habeas corpus in behalf of a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court only on the
ground that he is in custody in violation of the Constitution or laws or treaties of the United States.”
28 U.S.C. § 2254(a). A state prisoner is required to file his federal petition for writ of habeas corpus
either in the district where the prisoner is incarcerated or the district where the prisoner was
convicted and sentenced. 28 U.S.C. § 2241(d). Although both district courts have jurisdiction to
entertain the application, “[t]he district court for the district wherein such an application is filed in
the exercise of its discretion and in furtherance of justice may transfer the application to the other
district court for hearing and determination.” Id.

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This court has jurisdiction because petitioner is confined at the Telford Unit, which is located
in the Eastern District of Texas. Petitioner was convicted and sentenced in Dallas County, which
is located in the Northern District of Texas. Because petitioner challenges his conviction, the
interests of justice would best be served by transferring the petition to the district where petitioner
was convicted and sentenced. It is accordingly
ORDERED that this petition for writ of habeas corpus is TRANSFERRED to the Dallas
Division of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
SIGNED this 11th day of April, 2013.

____________________________________
CAROLINE M. CRAVEN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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