Mezhbein

Mezhbein v. Salazar

Good Law
473 F. App'x 772
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitJune 8, 201208-55131California344 words

Opinion

Opinion

MEMORANDUM

Warden J.F. Salazar appeals the district court’s grant of inmate Alexander Mezhbein’s 28 U.S.C. § 2254 petition for writ of habeas corpus. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 2253 , and we reverse.

1. Although Mezhbein was released from prison pursuant to an order of the district court, this appeal is not moot. Mezhbein’s release was effected by the very order that the Warden now argues was in error. See Eagles v. United States ex rel. Samuels, 329 U.S. 304, 307-08 , 67 S.Ct. 313 , 91 L.Ed. 308 (1946) (“Though the writ has been granted and the prisoner released, the appellate court by what it does is not rendering an opinion and issuing an order which cannot affect the litigants in the case before it.... Reversal undoes what the habeas corpus court did and makes lawful a resumption of the custody.”).

2. Mezhbein argues that the Warden failed to appeal the district court’s order subsequent to its initial grant of Mezhbein’s habeas petition, which directed the state governor to consent to Mezhbein’s release from prison. The Warden was not obligated to appeal the district court’s subsequent order, because the relevant judgment in a federal habeas appeal is the…

Sign in to read the full opinion

Create a free account to read the complete opinion text, citation history, and good-law status for this case.