Del Rosario v. Holder
Opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT F 1 E D FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APR 2 3 2[]‘\3
_S, Dlstrict & BankruP"°V Ccriiiiiis ltlor the Distrlct ot Go\umbl@
Christian Del Rosario, ) )
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Civil Action No. |B , L?L
)
Eric H. Holder, ) )
Defendant. )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the Court on review of the plaintiff s pro se Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief and application to proceed in forma pauperz`s. The application will be granted and the complaint will be dismissed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § l9l5A (requiring dismissal of a prisoner’s complaint upon a determination that the complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted).
The plaintiff is a prisoner at the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, New York. He challenges the constitutionality of the federal law under which he was sentenced and seeks a declaration that the law is unconstitutional and an order compelling his release. Compl. at l, l4. "[I]t is well-settled that a [person] seeking relief from his conviction or sentence may not bring [actions for injunctive and declaratory relief]." Wl`lliams v. Hill,
74 F.3d 1339, 1340(D.C, Cir. 1996) (per curiam) (citations omitted). Plaintiff` s recourse lies, if at all, in proceedings authorized by
28 U.S.C. § 2255. See Taylor v. U.S. Bd. ofParole,
194 F.2d 882, 883(D.C. Cir. 1952) (stating that a motion to vacate under
28 U.S.C. § 2255is the proper vehicle for challenging the constitutionality of a statute under which a defendant is convicted); Ojo v, I.NS.,
106 F.3d 680, 683(5"‘ Cir. 1997) (explaining that the sentencing court is the only court with
jurisdiction to hear a defendant’s complaint regarding errors that occurred before or during
sentencing). Hence, this case will be dismissed. A separate order accompanies this
Memorandum Opinion.
Date: April ,2013
'//,.'/Z¢M
Reference
- Status
- Published