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Misiak v. Washington

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Jun 24, 2005
135 F. App'x 993 (9th Cir. 2005)

Opinion

Submitted June 14, 2005.

The panel unanimously finds this case suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).

NOT FOR PUBLICATION. (See Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure Rule 36-3)

Mark A. Misiak, Walla Walla, WA, pro se.

Dale T. Wagner, Esq., Office of the Attorney General, Randall J. Watts, Esq., Office of the Prosecutor, Bellingham, WA, Joel E. Wright, Esq., William L. Cameron, Esq., Lee Smart Cook Martin & Patterson, P.S., Seattle, WA, for Defendants-Appellees.


Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Marsha J. Pechman, District Judge, Presiding. D.C. No. CV-03-00332-MJP.

Before: KLEINFELD, TASHIMA, and THOMAS, Circuit Judges.

MEMORANDUM

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.

Washington state prisoner Mark A. Misiak appeals pro se the district court's summary judgment in favor of defendants in his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action alleging defendants conspired to violate his civil rights during his criminal trial. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo both a district court's dismissal for failure to state a claim and

Page 994.

summary judgment. Barnett v. Centoni, 31 F.3d 813, 815-16 (9th Cir.1994) (per curiam). We affirm.

The district court properly dismissed the claim against his former defense attorneys, Bernstein and Kimberley, because Misiak's conclusory allegation that they conspired to deprive him of his constitutional rights is insufficient to state a claim cognizable under section 1983. See Radcliffe v. Rainbow Constr. Co, 254 F.3d 772, 783-84 (9th Cir.2001).

The district court properly dismissed the claims against Whatcom County because Whatcom County has no authority over the superior court. See Wash. Const. art. IV, §§ 1,6; City of Spokan v. Marquette, 146 Wash.2d 124, 135, 43 P.3d 502 (2002) (en banc) (superior courts of Washington exist as an arm of the state judiciary).

The district court properly granted summary judgment to the state of Washington as it has not consented to suit. See Will v. Michigan Dep't of State Police, 520 U.S. 43, 69, 117 S.Ct. 1055, 137 L.Ed.2d 170 (1997).

The district court properly granted summary judgment on judicial and prosecutorial immunity grounds respectively to Whatcom County Superior Court Judges Moynihan and Nichols, Meek v. County of Riverside, 183 F.3d 962, 966 (9th Cir.1999), and prosecuting attorney Setter, Imbler v. Pachtman, 424 U.S. 409, 431, 96 S.Ct. 984, 47 L.Ed.2d 128 (1976).

The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Misiak's motion for leave to amend his complaint after responsive pleadings were filed, because amendment would have been futile. See Flowers v. First Hawaiian Bank, 295 F.3d 966, 976 (9th Cir.2002).

The district court's denial of Misiak's request for a preliminary injunction was not an abuse of discretion because Misiak failed to show that he was entitled to injunctive relief. See Harris v. Board of Supervisors, L.A. County, 366 F.3d 754, 760 (9th Cir.2004).

Misiak's remaining contentions lack merit.

Misiak's request for sanctions is denied.

All pending motions are denied.

AFFIRMED.


Summaries of

Misiak v. Washington

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Jun 24, 2005
135 F. App'x 993 (9th Cir. 2005)
Case details for

Misiak v. Washington

Case Details

Full title:Mark A. MISIAK, Plaintiff--Appellant, v. State of WASHINGTON; et al.…

Court:United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Date published: Jun 24, 2005

Citations

135 F. App'x 993 (9th Cir. 2005)