Accounts Receivable Inc v. Johnson
Filing
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ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE by Judge Robert S. Lasnik; Show Cause Response due by 4/11/2014. (TF) cc: counsel for both parties
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT SEATTLE
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ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE INC.,
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Plaintiff,
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Case No. C14-397RSL
v.
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE
ARICA JOHNSON,
Defendant.
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This matter comes before the Court sua sponte. On March 18, 2014, defendant
removed this matter from state court alleging that this Court has jurisdiction based on
federal question jurisdiction. See 28 U.S.C. § 1331 (establishing that federal courts
“have original jurisdiction of all civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws, or
treaties of the United States.”). Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1446(b), a notice of removal
must be filed within thirty days of receipt by defendant of the summons and complaint.
The Notice of Removal and the documents attached thereto suggest that service was
effected more than thirty days before defendant removed the action. Defendant asserts
that the summons and complaint were served on her January 17 or 18, 2014. Notice of
Removal (Dkt. # 1) at 1-2. Thus, the Notice of Removal appears to have been filed more
than thirty days after service.
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE - 1
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In addition, there does not appear to be federal question jurisdiction. The
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question of whether a claim arises under federal law for purposes of 28 U.S.C. § 1331
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must be determined by reference to the complaint. “Federal jurisdiction exists only
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when a federal question is presented on the face of a properly pleaded complaint.” U.S.
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v. City of Arcata, 629 F.3d 986, 990 (9th Cir. 2010) (quoting JustMed, Inc. v. Byce, 600
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F.3d 1118, 1124 (9th Cir. 2010)). The complaint attached to the Notice of Removal
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shows only that plaintiff seeks to collect a debt allegedly owed by defendant. Dkt. # 1 at
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5-6. The complaint does not appear to arise under federal law.
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Defendant is hereby ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE on or before April 11, 2014,
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why the Court should not find the removal of this action untimely and improper for lack
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of federal question jurisdiction and remand it state court. The Clerk of the Court is
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directed to mail a copy of this order to defendant and to place the order to show cause on
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the Court’s calendar for April 11, 2014.
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Dated this 25th day of March, 2014.
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A
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Robert S. Lasnik
United States District Judge
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ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE - 2
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