Coca v. Williams

Opinion

DISTRICT OF NEVADA

* * * PETER MARK COCA, Case No. 2:20-cv-01494-KJD-DJA

Petitioner, ORDER

v. WARDEN BRIAN WILLIAMS, et al., Respondents.

This action is a petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 by Nevada state prisoner Peter Mark Coca. Before the court are several motions for extension of time and a motion to file certain exhibits under seal. With respect to the motion to seal, while courts prefer the public retain access to judicial filings and documents, see Nixon v. Warner Commc’ns Inc., 435 U.S. 589, 597 (1978), a party may request sealing of a judicial record by demonstrating “compelling reasons” to prevent public access, see Kamakana v. City and Cnty. of Honolulu, 447 F.3d 1172, 1178 (9th Cir. 2006). Here, petitioner requests leave to file certain medical records under seal. Medical privacy is a compelling reason, and the motion is granted. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that petitioner’s motion for leave to file certain exhibits under seal (ECF No. 21) is GRANTED. 1 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that petitioner's four unopposed motions for extension of time to file the first-amended petition (ECF Nos. 13, 14, 15, 17) are all GRANTED nunc pro tunc. DATED: 13 January 2022.

KENT J. DAWSON UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE