State of Oklahoma v. Smith
Opinion
ORDER AND JUDGMENT **
Bruce Clyde Smith appeals the district court’s order rejecting his request for removal of a state criminal prosecution and remanding the case to the District Court of Texas County, Oklahoma. For substantially the same reasons set forth in its June 13, 2006 order, we affirm the district court’s decision.
As the district court noted, Mr. Smith sought removal of the state court case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1443(2). However, that statute “confers a privilege of removal only upon federal officers or agents and those authorized to act with and for them in affirmatively executing duties under any federal law providing for equal civil rights.” City of Greenwood v. Peacock, 384 U.S. 808, 824, 86 S.Ct. 1800, 16 L.Ed.2d 944 (1966). Mr. Smith does not allege that he is a federal officer executing his duties pursuant to a federal civil rights law, and the statute is thus inapplicable.
*770 On appeal, Mr. Smith cites no other statutory basis for removal. Creatively, but frivolously, he does argue that the case should now be removed from this court to a court of his own making, the “one supreme Court,” apparently established by Mr. Smith and his associates on September 4, 2006 (after the district court remanded his case to the state court). There is no legal basis for that request.
We also note that Mr. Smith’s attempt to remove the state court criminal prosecution is inconsistent with “the longstanding public policy against federal court interference with state court proceedings.” Younger v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37, 43, 91 S.Ct. 746, 27 L.Ed.2d 669 (1971).
Accordingly, we AFFIRM the district court’s decision. Appellant’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis is denied.
This order and judgment is not binding precedent except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata and collateral estoppel. It may be cited, however, for its persuasive value consistent with Fed. R.App. P. 32.1 and 10th Cir. R. 32.1.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- State of OKLAHOMA, a State of the Union, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Bruce Clyde SMITH, an Individual, Defendant-Appellant
- Status
- Unpublished