Mario Mendoza v. Luz Elvia Castillo

Summary

The United States District Court for the Central District of California ordered Plaintiff Mario Mendoza to show cause why the court should exercise supplemental jurisdiction over claims under California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act and related state law. The order requires Plaintiff and counsel to identify the statutory damages sought and submit declarations addressing whether they qualify as high-frequency litigants under California law.

Holdings

1. Supplemental jurisdiction is discretionary rather than a plaintiff’s right, and a district court may decline to exercise it under the circumstances identified in 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c), while weighing judicial economy, convenience, fairness, and comity.
2. The court ordered Plaintiff and counsel to respond to the order to show cause, identify the statutory damages sought, and submit declarations under penalty of perjury containing facts necessary to determine whether Plaintiff satisfies California’s definition of a high-frequency litigant.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the district court should exercise supplemental jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s Unruh Civil Rights Act claim and any related state-law claims.
2. Whether Plaintiff and his counsel must provide information and declarations concerning the amount of statutory damages sought and whether Plaintiff qualifies as a California high-frequency litigant.

Disposition

other