Opinion
CASE NO. 1:11-CV-00448-DLB PC
09-28-2011
SIDNI MOORE, Plaintiff, v. CHRISTIAN MAXWELL, et al., Defendants.
ORDER DISMISSING COMPLAINT FOR
FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM WITH
LEAVE TO AMEND (DOC. 1)
RESPONSE DUE WITHIN THIRTY DAYS
Screening Order
I. Background
Plaintiff Sidni Moore ("Plaintiff") is a prisoner in the custody of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ("CDCR"). Plaintiff is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff initiated this action by filing his complaint on March 17, 2011. 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. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner has raised claims that are legally "frivolous or malicious," that fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or that seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1),(2). "Notwithstanding any filing fee, or any portion thereof, that may have been paid, the court shall dismiss the case at any time if the court determines that . . . the action or appeal . . . fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted." 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii).
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, 129 S. Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009) (citing Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). Plaintiff must set forth "sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to 'state a claim that is plausible on its face.'" Id. (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555). While factual allegations are accepted as true, legal conclusions are not. Id.
II. Summary of Complaint
Plaintiff is currently incarcerated at Pleasant Valley State Prison ("PVSP"). The alleged events at issue in this action occurred while Plaintiff was incarcerated in the Fresno County Jail. Plaintiff names as Defendants: Christian Maxwell, public defender at Fresno Juvenile Hall; Judge Sarkisian; and Fresno County Jail Records.
Plaintiff alleges the following: On or about May 10, 2010, he was sentenced to 40 days, which would give him a release date of June 20, 2010. Plaintiff complains that he was not released until July 20, 2010. Plaintiff also complains that he was sentenced 8 months, when they told him he was sentenced to "365." He did "9 months out of 12." Doc. 1.
Plaintiff requests benefits. He also requests minute orders from his sentencing.
III. Analysis
Plaintiff's complaint is vague and fails to state a claim against any of the named defendants. To state a cognizable claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege the violation of right secured by the Constitution and laws of the United States, and must show that the alleged deprivation was committed by a person acting under color of state law. West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988). Plaintiff has not alleged any facts identifying the defendants. Plaintiff also has not alleged what actions were taken by these defendants that allegedly violated a constitutional right.
A. Defendant Maxwell
Defense attorneys, such as Public Defender Maxwell, who represent the accused in a criminal matter do not act under color of state law. Polk County v. Dodson, 454 U.S. 312, 325 (1981). Accordingly, Plaintiff cannot state a claim against Defendant Maxwell for any alleged over-detention.
B. Defendant Sarkisian
Judge Sarkisian is immune from suit. "Judicial immunity is applicable to § 1983 suits." O'Neil v. City of Lake Oswego, 642 F.2d 367, 368 n. 3 (9th Cir.1981). "Judges are immune from damage actions for judicial acts taken within the jurisdiction of their courts." Ashelman v. Pope, 793 F.2d 1072, 1075 (9th Cir.1986) (en banc). Whether an act is judicial depends on "the nature of the act itself, i.e., whether it is a function normally performed by a judge, and ... the expectations of the parties, i.e., whether they dealt with the judge in his judicial capacity." Stump v. Sparkman, 435 U.S. 349, 362 (1978). These considerations are to be construed generously in favor of the judge and a finding of immunity. Adams v. McIlhany, 764 F.2d 294, 297 (5th Cir.1985). Plaintiff has not alleged any facts precluding judicial immunity.
C. Fresno County Judicial Records
Although not entirely clear from his complaint, Plaintiff appears to blame Fresno County Judicial Records for incorrect paperwork resulting in over detention. To the extent Plaintiff is attempting to bring suit against the Fresno County Superior Court, he fails to state a claim. The court is not a "person" for purposes of section 1983.
Insofar as Plaintiff is attempting to name the clerk of the Superior Court, he cannot do so. Clerks have absolute quasi-judicial immunity for tasks performed that are an integral part of the judicial process. See, e.g., Mullis v. United States Bankruptcy Court, 828 F.2d 1385, 1390 (9th Cir. 1987). Plaintiff makes no allegations that would suggest any persons acted outside of their roles as court clerks.
IV. Conclusion And Order
Plaintiff fails to state any cognizable claims against any Defendants. The Court will provide Plaintiff with an opportunity to file a first amended complaint curing the deficiencies identified by the Court in this order. Noll v. Carlson, 809 F.2d 1446, 1448-49 (9th Cir. 1987). Plaintiff may not change the nature of this suit by adding new, unrelated claims in his amended complaint. George v. Smith, 507 F.3d 605, 607 (7th Cir. 2007) (no "buckshot" complaints).
If Plaintiff decides to amend, Plaintiff's amended complaint should be brief, Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a), but must state what each named defendant did that led to the deprivation of Plaintiff's constitutional or other federal rights. Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. at 1949. Although accepted as true, the "[f]actual allegations must be [sufficient] to raise a right to relief above the speculative level . . . ." Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555.
Finally, Plaintiff is advised that an amended complaint supersedes the original complaint, Forsyth v. Humana, Inc., 114 F.3d 1467, 1474 (9th Cir. 1997); King v. Atiyeh, 814 F.2d 565, 567 (9th Cir. 1987), and must be "complete in itself without reference to the prior or superseded pleading," L. R. 220. Plaintiff is warned that "[a]ll causes of action alleged in an original complaint which are not alleged in an amended complaint are waived." King, 814 F.2d at 567 (citing to London v. Coopers & Lybrand, 644 F.2d 811, 814 (9th Cir. 1981)); accord Forsyth, 114 F.3d at 1474.
Accordingly, based on the foregoing, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. The Clerk's Office shall send Plaintiff a complaint form;
2. Plaintiff's complaint is dismissed for failure to state a claim, with leave to file a first amended complaint within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order; and
3. If Plaintiff fails to comply with this order, the Court will dismiss this action for failure to obey a court order and failure to state a claim.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dennis L. Beck
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE