Opinion
CASE NO. 1:15-CV-894---SMS
10-08-2015
DAVID TOWNSEL, Plaintiff, v. RICHARD CIUMMO & ASSOCIATES; KEVIN R. WEIMER, Defendants.
ORDER DISMISSING COMPLAINT WITH LEAVE TO AMEND
Plaintiff David Townsel brings the instant complaint in pro se and in forma pauperis against defendants Richard Ciummo & Associates and Kevin R. Weimer for actions related to Plaintiff's representation in a criminal matter. For the reasons below, Plaintiff's complaint will be dismissed with leave to amend.
I. SUMMARY OF ALLEGATIONS
According to the complaint, it appears that defendant Richard Ciummo & Associates is a law firm and Kevin R. Weimer is an attorney, which provided Plaintiff representation in a criminal matter. It appears that Plaintiff was arraigned on January 20, 2014 in Madera Superior Court for three counts of grand theft auto. On February 21, 2014, Mr. Weiner advised Plaintiff to enter a plea as to one count of grand theft auto, which would dismiss two other counts of grand theft auto, one count of driving over the speed limit, and one count of driving on a suspended license. This plea resulted in a twenty-eight month split sentence: fourteen months in Madera County Department of Corrections, and fourteen months post-release community supervision. Plaintiff was also required to pay $2500 in fines and restitution.
Plaintiff had been in custody since November 15, 2013. His Miranda rights were not read.
Plaintiff filed the instant complaint in this Court on June 12, 2015, seeking damages. He was not in custody. Plaintiff alleges that he was harmed in several ways and lists several potential causes of action including malpractice, intentional infliction of emotional distress, ineffective assistance of counsel, and cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.
II. SCREENING STANDARD
Under 28 U.S.C § 1915(e)(2), the Court must screen all complaints brought in forma pauperis or by prisoners. Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1129 (9th Cir. 2000). The Court must dismiss the complaint or any portion of it that is "frivolous," "malicious," "fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted," or "seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief." 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). To dismiss a complaint, or portion thereof, for failure to state a claim, the Court applies the same standard as for motions to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6). Barren v. Harrington, 152 F.3d 1193, 1194 (9th Cir. 1998). This screening for failure to state a claim is cumulative of, and not a substitute for, any subsequent Rule 12(b)(6) motion that the defendant may choose to bring. Teahan v. Wilhelm, 481 F. Supp. 2d 1115, 1119 (S.D. Cal. 2007).
III. RULE 8
A complaint must contain "a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief." Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Detailed factual allegations are not required, but "[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice." Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 679 (2009) (citing Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). Plaintiff must set forth "sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to 'state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.'" Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 663 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570). While factual allegations are accepted as true, legal conclusions are not. Id. at 678.
A pleading may not simply allege a wrong has been committed and demand relief. A pleading must give fair notice of the claim being asserted and the grounds upon which it rests. Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 47-48 (1957); Yamaguchi v. United States Department of Air Force, 109 F.3d 1475, 1481 (9th Cir. 1997).
If the Court determines that the complaint fails to state a claim, it should grant leave to amend to the extent that the deficiencies of the complaint can be cured by amendment. Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d at 1130. Dismissal of a pro se complaint for failure to state a claim is proper only where it is obvious that the Plaintiff cannot prevail on the facts that he has alleged and that an opportunity to amend would be futile. Id. at 1128.
IV. DISCUSSION
Plaintiff's complaint contains very few facts. The only allegation against either defendant is that Mr. Weimer advised him to enter a plea. As stated above, Plaintiff must set forth sufficient factual matter that states a claim to relief. Plaintiff's complaint does not state a sufficient claim for relief. It is not clear what harm he alleges or how any defendant caused that harm.
Considering the identified causes of action, it can be gathered that Plaintiff is unsatisfied with his legal representation. But he has not alleged how his attorney fell below the standard of practice in representing him, or how his attorney's actions harmed him. To the extent possible, Plaintiff should allege specific facts that explain what actions were committed by what defendant, and how those actions violated the law or how those actions harmed him. Plaintiff must allege sufficient facts to give defendants fair notice of his claims against them, and his reasons for asserting those claims, such that they would be able to engage a proper defense. Plaintiff has only identified that his attorney advised him to enter a plea. This is a very proper and common action undertaken by an attorney in a criminal matter. Plaintiff has not identified any fact or facts demonstrating that there was anything improper about the plea or the attorney's advice.
Plaintiff identifies the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment several times, but he does not allege any fact specifying what was cruel or unusual about his punishment. He also does not identify the proper party responsible for a potential Eighth Amendment violation. It is not plausible that his attorney is liable for an Eighth Amendment violation.
As currently pled, Plaintiff's complaint does not demonstrate that he is entitled to relief. The complaint does not contain sufficient factual matter that states a plausible claim, and it will be dismissed with leave to amend.
V. LEAVE TO AMEND
Plaintiff will be given opportunity to amend his complaint with sufficient factual detail to state a claim for relief. Plaintiff is advised to research each cause of action he intends to bring in order to understand the necessary elements of each claim and the proper defendants. Plaintiff is also advised to research the relevant statutes of limitation which impose deadlines in which a claim may be brought. Plaintiff is further advised that the federal court is of limited jurisdiction and will not usually hear claims arising solely under state law.
If Plaintiff elects to file an amended complaint, it must bear the docket number assigned in this case and be labeled "First Amended Complaint." Plaintiff is advised that an amended complaint supersedes the original complaint and must be "complete in itself without reference to the prior or superseded pleading," Local Rule 220. Plaintiff is warned that all causes of action alleged in an original complaint which are not alleged in an amended complaint will be deemed waived.
VI. ORDER
Based on the foregoing, it is hereby ORDERED that Plaintiff's complaint is DISMISSED with leave to amend. Plaintiff may file an amended complaint curing the deficiencies identified by the Court in this order within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order. Plaintiff is not required to file an amended complaint, but failure to do so by the deadline will result in dismissal of this action. IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: October 8 , 2015
/s/ Sandra M. Snyder
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE