Stuard v. Dir of TDCJ

Filing 2

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER TRANSFERRING this petition for writ to Wichita Falls Division in Northern District of Texas. Signed by Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven on 5/2/2016. (sm, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
TEXARKANA DIVISION
DEMOND R. STUARD

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VS.

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DIRECTOR, TDJC-CID

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CIVIL ACTION NO. 5:16-CV-58

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Petitioner Demond R. Stuard, an inmate confined at the Allred Unit of the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division in Huntsville, Texas, 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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Petitioner is currently confined in the Northern District of Texas. He was convicted and
sentenced in Dallas County, which is also located in the Northern District of Texas. Therefore,
this Court lacks jurisdiction to consider the petition. The Court has considered the circumstances
and has determined that the interests of justice would best be served if this petition were
transferred to the district where petitioner is confined. It is accordingly
ORDERED that this petition for writ of habeas corpus is TRANSFERRED to the Wichita
Falls Division of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
SIGNED this 2nd day of May, 2016.

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CAROLINE M. CRAVEN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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