Morriss v. Director, TDCJ-CID, No. 9:2024cv00162 - Document 3 (E.D. Tex. 2024)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER. 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 by Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on 8/29/24. (ljw)
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Morriss v. Director, TDCJ-CID Doc. 3 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS LUFKIN DIVISION CHRISTOPHER WAYNE MORRISS § VS. § DIRECTOR, TDCJ-CID § CIVIL ACTION NO. 9:24-CV-162 MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER Petitioner Christopher Wayne Morriss, an inmate confined at the Stiles Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division, proceeding pro se, filed this petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. The petition was referred to the undersigned magistrate judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636 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 in either 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. Dockets.Justia.com Petitioner filed this petition in the Lufkin Division of the Eastern District of Texas. This court has jurisdiction because Petitioner is incarcerated in this district. However, Petitioner was convicted and sentenced in Wichita County, which is located in the Northern District of Texas. The court has considered the circumstances and has determined that the interests of justice would be served by transferring this petition to the district where Petitioner was convicted and sentenced. Therefore, the petition should be transferred to the Wichita Falls Division of the Northern District of Texas for hearing and determination. 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 29th day of August, 2024. _________________________ Zack Hawthorn United States Magistrate Judge 2
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