Daniel J. Calabretta
How Judge Calabretta rules, drawn from 28 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
How Judge Calabretta decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In repeated immigration-detention cases, grants habeas relief when the government identifies no material legal or factual distinction from prior due-process decisions, ordering immediate release or a prompt bond hearing.
“Respondents have not made any new legal arguments and have not identified any factual or legal issues in this case that would distinguish it from the Court’s prior decisions cited above”
Procedural preferences
Denies a petitioner's summary-judgment motion as moot once the petition itself is dismissed.
“4. Petitioner's motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 13) is denied as moot.”
Applies the scheduling-order diligence requirement to deny a late request to add crossclaims after summary-judgment briefing was complete.
“Where a party has not acted diligently, the good cause inquiry comes to an end.”
Cautions
Grants a motion to dismiss and dismisses a habeas petition without prejudice as an unauthorized second or successive petition.
“2. Respondent's motion to dismiss (ECF No. 10) is granted. 3. Petitioner's application for writ of habeas corpus (ECF No. 1) is dismissed without prejudice as an unauthorized second or successive petition.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“2. Respondent's motion to dismiss (ECF No. 10) is granted. 3. Petitioner's application for writ of habeas corpus (ECF No. 1) is dismissed without prejudice as an unauthorized second or successive petition.”
“4. Petitioner's motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 13) is denied as moot.”
In a pro se Section 2254 habeas matter, Calabretta adopted an unobjected magistrate judge's findings and recommendation, dismissed the action sua sponte and without prejudice for lack of prosecution and failure to comply with court rules, and declined a certificate of appealability. Grounding quote: '2. This action is dismissed without prejudice for lack of prosecution and failure to comply with court rules and orders.'
“the Regents Defendants' Motion to Dismiss (ECF No. 127) is GRANTED”
“the County Defendants' Motion to Dismiss (ECF No. 130) is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part”
“the Court GRANTS Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment (ECF No. 36).”
“the Court DENIES Defendant's Motion to Dismiss (ECF No. 8).”
“the Court GRANTS Plaintiff's Motion to Remand. (ECF No. 7.) This case is hereby REMANDED to the Superior Court of Sacramento County.”
“Plaintiffs' Motion to Remand (ECF No. 8) is GRANTED”
“the U.S. Attorney's Motion for Reconsideration (ECF No. 30) is DENIED as moot”
“Plaintiffs' motion to remand (ECF No.17) is DENIED”
“the Petitioner's Motion to Amend Preliminary Injunction (ECF No. 42) is DENIED.”
“A Preliminary Injunction shall issue on the same terms set forth in the Temporary Restraining Order (ECF No. 9).”
“Respondents' Motion to Dismiss (ECF No. 15) is DENIED without prejudice to filing a properly noticed motion in accordance with the Local Rules.”
“Plaintiff's Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction (ECF No. 7) is DENIED.”
“Defendants' motion to deem plaintiff vexatious, ECF No. 16, is GRANTED”
“Defendants' motion to dismiss, ECF No. 15, is GRANTED”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Calabretta's Sacramento caseload includes a June 2026 surge of immigration-detention habeas petitions, a substantial criminal calendar, post-conviction motions arising from those criminal cases, prisoner civil-rights matters, and general consumer and product disputes. The durations below come from terminated cases.
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