Jesus Garcia v. Galaxy Party and Decors LLC, et al.

Summary

The court issued an order to show cause questioning whether it should exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the plaintiff’s Unruh Civil Rights Act and other state-law claims in an action involving alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The order requires the plaintiff to provide the amount of Unruh Act damages sought and declarations addressing whether the plaintiff or counsel qualifies as a high-frequency litigant under California law, with a response due December 29, 2025.

Holdings

1. The court recognized that it has a sua sponte obligation to confirm that subject matter jurisdiction exists and may raise the issue at any time while the action is pending.
2. The court recognized that it may decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction for the reasons identified in 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c), including the substantial federal-state comity concerns identified by the Ninth Circuit for ADA-based Unruh Act claims.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the court should exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the Unruh Civil Rights Act claim and the other state-law claims.
2. Whether the court should obtain information regarding the statutory damages sought and Plaintiff's or counsel's potential status as a high-frequency litigant before deciding whether to exercise supplemental jurisdiction.

Disposition

other