Opinion
No. 2:15-CV-1687-GEB-CMK-P
02-23-2016
DEXTER BROWN, Plaintiff, v. MONICA MILLER, et al., Defendants.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Plaintiff, a prisoner proceeding pro se, brings this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Pending before the court is plaintiff's complaint (Doc. 1).
The court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if it: (1) is frivolous or malicious; (2) fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted; or (3) seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1), (2). Moreover, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure require that complaints contain a ". . . short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief." Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). This means that claims must be stated simply, concisely, and directly. See McHenry v. Renne, 84 F.3d 1172, 1177 (9th Cir. 1996) (referring to Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(e)(1)). These rules are satisfied if the complaint gives the defendant fair notice of the plaintiff's claim and the grounds upon which it rests. See Kimes v. Stone, 84 F.3d 1121, 1129 (9th Cir. 1996). Because plaintiff must allege with at least some degree of particularity overt acts by specific defendants which support the claims, vague and conclusory allegations fail to satisfy this standard. Additionally, it is impossible for the court to conduct the screening required by law when the allegations are vague and conclusory.
Plaintiff names as defendants Monica Miller, Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and Alison Claire, United States Magistrate Judge. According to plaintiff, defendant Claire received "reports" from plaintiff - in the form of a number civil rights complaints against various government officials - of "attempted murders" but failed to redress his grievances. Plaintiff claims that "defendant Monica Miller failed to act upon reports, and corroborating circumstantial evidence indicating District Court Judge Alison Claire is deliberately preventing plaintiff from redressing acts of attempted murder by delaying the screening of civil complaints."
Plaintiff's allegations are vague and conclusory in that they do not indicate any specific conduct by the named defendants such that they could be on fair notice of plaintiff's claims. Morever, plaintiff's underlying claim - that defendant Claire acted improperly with respect to screening his civil rights complaints - is barred by the doctrine of absolute judicial immunity. See Schucker v. Rockwood, 846 F.2d 1202, 1204 (9th Cir. 1988) (per curiam).
Because it does not appear possible that the deficiencies identified herein can be cured by amending the complaint, plaintiff is not entitled to leave to amend prior to dismissal of the entire action. See Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1126, 1131 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). / / / / / / / / /
Based on the foregoing, the undersigned recommends that this action be dismissed for failure to state a claim.
These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within 14 days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections with the court. Responses to objections shall be filed within 14 days after service of objections. Failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal. See Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991). DATED: February 23, 2016
/s/_________
CRAIG M. KELLISON
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE