Mickle v. Sheriff Mike Hale
Filing
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MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge R David Proctor on 7/5/2016. (AVC)
FILED
2016 Jul-05 AM 11:55
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
ERIC SHAWN MICKLE,
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Plaintiff,
v.
SHERIFF MIKE HALE,
Defendant.
Case No.: 2:16-cv-764-RDP
MEMORANDUM OPINION
I.
Introduction
This case is before the court on Defendant Sheriff Mike Hale’s Motion to Dismiss
Plaintiff’s Complaint (Doc. # 3), filed May 10, 2016. Plaintiff was afforded the opportunity to
respond to the Motion, but has not done so. 1 Accordingly, the Motion is ripe for decision, and
after careful review, the court concludes it is due to be granted.
II.
Background Facts and Procedural History
Plaintiff filed his Complaint seeking relief for violations of his civil rights under 42
U.S.C. § 1983. (Doc. # 1, Ex. 1). Defendant Hale responded by filing this motion to dismiss
pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). (Doc. # 3). 2 “A Rule 12(b)(6) motion
questions the legal sufficiency of a complaint; therefore, in assessing the merit of a Rule 12(b)(6)
motion, the court must assume that all the factual allegations set forth in the complaint are true.”
Mays v. United States Postal Service, 928 F. Supp. 1552, 1557-58 (M.D. Ala. 1996). Thus, for
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2
(See Doc. # 5 (June 6, 2016 Order)).
Although Plaintiff’s Complaint lists certain fictitious defendants, none were ever served. Moreover, as a
general matter, fictitious party pleading is not permitted in federal court. Richardson v. Johnson, 598 F.3d 734, 738
(11th Cir. 2010). Therefore, Defendant Hale is the sole Defendant in this case.
the purpose of resolving the Motion, the court treats the following facts alleged in the Complaint
as true.
Plaintiff was arrested and brought to the Jefferson County Jail on February 26, 2014,
pending several charges. (Doc. # 1, Ex. 1). At the time of his arrest, Plaintiff suffered from
Type I diabetes and informed the jail personnel of his condition. (Id.). Throughout his time at
the jail, Plaintiff was given his insulin medication in an inconsistent and ineffective manner.
(Id.). Over the Plaintiff’s protestations, he was fed a diet high in sugar and starch. (Id.).
Without effective medication and with an improper diet, by the time he was released from the
Jefferson County Jail, Plaintiff could no longer walk without the assistance of a walker. (Id.).
Plaintiff claims he is still unable to walk without assistance. (Id.).
Plaintiff thereafter filed this lawsuit, seeking compensatory and punitive damages from
the jail personnel for deliberate indifference under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
(Doc. #1, Ex. 1).
Although, Plaintiff asserts a respondeat superior cause of action against Defendant Sheriff Mike
Hale (“Sheriff Hale”), he does not specify whether he has sued Sheriff Hale in his official or
individual capacity, or both. (Id.). Sheriff Hale argues that, regardless, the claims against him
should be dismissed on sovereign immunity and qualified immunity grounds. (Doc. # 3).
III.
Standard of Review
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure require only that the complaint provide “a short and
plain statement of the claim showing that the pleaser is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2).
However, the complaint must include enough facts “to raise a right to relief above the
speculative level.” Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007). Pleadings that
contain nothing more than “a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action” do not
meet Rule 8 standards, nor do pleadings suffice that are based merely upon “labels and
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conclusions” or “naked assertion[s]” without supporting factual allegations. Twombly, 550 U.S.
at 555, 557. In deciding a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, courts view the allegations in the
complaint in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Watts v. Fla. Intl. Univ., 495 F.3d
1289, 1295 (11th Cir. 2007).
To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must “state a claim to relief that is plausible
on its face.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570. “A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff
pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is
liable for the misconduct alleged.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). Although “[t]he
plausibility standard is not akin to a ‘probability requirement,’” the complaint must demonstrate
“more than a sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully.” Id. A plausible claim for
relief requires “enough fact[s] to raise a reasonable expectation that discovery will reveal
evidence” to support the claim. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556.
In considering a motion to dismiss, a court should “1) eliminate any allegations in the
complaint that are merely legal conclusions; and 2) where there are well-pleaded factual
allegations, ‘assume their veracity and then determine whether they plausibly give rise to an
entitlement to relief.’” Kivisto v. Miller, Candield, Paddock & Stone, PLC, 413 Fed. Appx. 136,
138 (11th Cir. 2011) (quoting Am. Dental Assn. v. Cigna Corp., 605 F.3d 1283, 1290 (11th Cir.
2010)). That task is context specific and, to survive the motion, the allegations must permit the
court based on its “judicial experience and common sense . . . to infer more than the mere
possibility of misconduct.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556. Further, “courts may infer from the
factual allegations in the complaint ‘obvious alternative explanation[s],’ which suggest lawful
conduct rather than the unlawful conduct the plaintiff would ask the court to infer.” Am. Dental ,
605 F.3d at 1290 (quoting Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 682). If the court determines that well-pleaded
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facts, accepted as true, do not state a claim that is plausible, the claims are due to be dismissed.
Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556.
IV.
Analysis
Plaintiff brings this case pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Doc. # 1, Ex. 1). To state a
claim under Section 1983, Plaintiff “must allege the violation of a 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)
(citations omitted). “The traditional definition of acting under color of state law requires that the
defendant in a § 1983 action have exercised power ‘possessed by virtue of state law and made
possible only because the wrongdoer is clothed with the authority of state law.’” West v. Atkins,
487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988) (citations omitted). In addition, Alabama sheriffs are state officials, and,
thus, clothed with the authority of state law. See Carr v. City of Florence, Ala., 916 F.2d 1521,
1525 (11th Cir. 1990) (citing Parker v. Amerson, 519 So.2d 442, 443 (Ala. 1987)) (a court must
“consider the laws of the state” and, according to the Supreme Court of Alabama, “a sheriff is an
executive officer of the state of Alabama”).
A. Sheriff Hale Enjoys Eleventh Amendment Immunity as to Any Money Damages
Claims Asserted Against Him in his Official Capacity
The Eleventh Amendment insulates a state from suit in federal courts unless the state
either consents to suit or waives its Eleventh Amendment immunity. See Pennhurst State Sch. &
Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 98-100 (1984). “Lawsuits against a state official in his or her
official capacity are suits against the state when ‘the state is the real, substantial party in
interest.’” Carr, 916 F.2d at 1524 (quoting Halderman, 465 U.S. at 101). Thus, “[a] state official
may not be sued in his official capacity unless the state has waived its Eleventh Amendment
immunity . . . or Congress has abrogated the state’s immunity.” Lancaster v. Monroe Cty., Ala.,
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116 F.3d 1419, 1429 (11th Cir. 1997) (internal citations omitted). “Alabama has not waived its
Eleventh Amendment immunity . . . and Congress has not abrogated Alabama’s immunity.” Id.
(internal citations omitted).
Sheriff Hale, as an Alabama sheriff (i.e., a state official), has sovereign immunity under
the Eleventh Amendment with respect to money damages claims brought against him in his
official capacity. See Carr, 916 F.2d at 1525. Thus, Sheriff Hale has immunity with respect to
any of Plaintiff’s money damage claims asserted against him in his official capacity because they
are really claims against the state of Alabama. See Hafer v. Melo, 502 U.S. 21, 25 (1991) (“Suits
against state officials in their official capacity . . . should be treated as suits against the State.”).
The court, therefore, concludes that any claims for money damages against Sheriff Hale in his
official capacity are due to be dismissed.
B. Sheriff Hale Enjoys Qualified Immunity as to Any Federal Law Claims for
Money Damages Asserted Against Him in his Individual Capacity
“The doctrine of qualified immunity protects government officials ‘from liability for civil
damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional
rights of which a reasonable person would have known.” Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223,
231 (2009) (quoting Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818 (1982)). Accordingly, “[a]t the
motion to dismiss state in the litigation, ‘the qualified immunity inquiry and the Rule 12(b)(6)
standard become intertwined.’” Keating v. City of Miami, 598 F.3d 753, 760 (11tthh Cir. 2010)
(citation omitted). To be sure, “[b]ecause qualified immunity is ‘an immunity from suit rather
than a mere defense to liability . . . it is effectively lost is a case is erroneously permitted to go to
trial.’” Pearson, 555 U.S. at 231 (quoting Mitchell v. Forsyth, 472 U.S. 511, 526 (1985))
(changes in Pearson).
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Qualified immunity “protects government officials performing discretionary functions
from the burdens of civil trials and from liability.” Rioux v. City of Atlanta, Ga., 520 F.3d 1269,
1282 (11th Cir. 2008) (internal citations omitted). An official loses qualified immunity when his
conduct violates “clearly established statutory or constitutional rights.” Hope v. Pelzer, 536 U.S.
730, 739 (2002). However, the standard is “broad enough to cover some mistaken judgment, and
it shields from liability all but the plainly incompetent or those who knowingly violate the law.”
Garczynski v. Bradshaw, 573 F.3d 1158, 1167 (11th Cir. 2009) (quoting Montoute v. Carr, 144
F.3d 181, 184 (11th Cir. 1997)).
Sheriff Hale has the initial burden of proving that he was acting within the scope of his
discretionary authority in order to be eligible for qualified immunity.
Holloman ex rel.
Holloman v. Harland, 370 F.3d 1252, 1264 (11th Cir. 2004) (citing Storck v. City of Coral
Springs, 354 F.3d 1307, 1314 (2003)). Discretionary authority exists if Sheriff Hale was (1)
performing a legitimate job-related function (2) through means within his power to utilize.
Holloman, 370 F.3d at 1266. In other words, a “defendant must have been performing a function
that, but for the alleged constitutional infirmity, would have fallen with his legitimate job
description.” Id. (emphasis in original).
If Sheriff Hale makes this initial showing, the burden shifts and Plaintiff must
demonstrate that Sheriff Hale is not entitled to qualified immunity. Holloman, 370 F.3d at 1264.
Here, the United States Supreme Court has mandated a two-step sequence to determine whether
an official such as Sheriff Hale is entitled to qualified immunity, and a district court has
discretion to determine in what order to address each part. Keating, 598 F.3d at 762 (citing
Pearson, 555 U.S. at 232, 236). The court must decide whether the facts alleged by Plaintiff
make out a violation of a constitutional right. Pearson, 555 U.S. at 232. Additionally, the court
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must decide whether the right at issue was “clearly established” at the time of the alleged
misconduct by Sheriff Hale. Id. Sheriff Hale is not entitled to qualified immunity if Plaintiff can
prevail as to both parts of the test.
Plaintiff’s claim revolves around his treatment (or lack thereof) by Jefferson County Jail
personnel. (See Doc. #1, Ex. 1). Plaintiff alleges a cause of action against Sheriff Hale under
respondeat superior for failure to properly train and supervise the jail officers. (Id.). Supervising
county jails and officers providing medical treatment for those held therein are clearly within the
line and scope of Sheriff Hale’s authorized duties. See Ala. Code. § 14-6-1 (“The sheriff has the
legal custody and charge of the jail in his or her county and all prisoners committed thereto….
The sheriff may employ persons to carry out his or her duty to operate the jail and supervise the
inmates housed therein for whose acts he or she is civilly responsible.”); see also § 14-6-19
(“Necessary clothing and bedding must be furnished by the sheriff or jailer… and also necessary
medicines and medical attention to those who are sick or injured, when they are unable to
provide them for themselves.”). Thus, Sheriff Hale has met his initial burden of showing that he
is entitled to assert qualified immunity in response to Plaintiff’s claims.
Because Sheriff Hale has established he acted within a scope of discretionary authority,
Plaintiff must demonstrate that Sheriff Hale is not entitled to qualified immunity. Holloman, 370
F.3d at 1264. Plaintiff has not met his burden. First, Plaintiff has not alleged any facts that
suggest Sheriff Hale was present during the jailing of Plaintiff, that Sheriff Hale was aware of
Plaintiff’s time at the jail, or that the jailer’s training was in any way insufficient. (See Doc. # 1,
Ex. 1). Second, Sheriff Hale cannot be held liable merely on the basis of respondeat superior.
Weaver v. Mobile Cty., 228 Fed. Appx. 883, 886 (11th Cir. 2007) (quoting Marsh v. Butler Cty.,
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268 F.3d 1014, 1035 (11th Cir. 2001)) (“It is well-established that a ‘Sheriff can have no
respondeat superior liability for a section 1983 claim.’”).
To be sure, while “[s]upervisory officials are not liable under section 1983 on the basis of
respondeat superior or vicarious liability,” they may nonetheless be liable “when there is a causal
connection between actions of the supervising official and the alleged constitutional
deprivation.” Belcher v. City of Foley, Ala., 30 F.3d 1390, 1396-97 (11th Cir. 1994) (citations
omitted).
That is, “[s]upervisory liability occurs either when the supervisor personally
participates in the alleged constitutional violation or when there is [some other] causal
connection.” Brown v. Crawford, 906 F.2d 667, 671 (11th Cir. 1990). But, as explained above,
Plaintiff has not alleged any facts showing that Sheriff Hale personally participated in or knew of
Plaintiff’s mistreatment, or had insufficiently trained the county jailers. (See Doc. # 1, Ex. 1).
Thus, the only conceivable basis for Plaintiff’s claims against Sheriff Hale is mere supervisor
liability; however, such a claim cannot stand in a Section 1983 suit. See Brown, 906 F.2d at 671;
Weaver, 228 Fed. Appx. at 886. Accordingly, Sheriff Hale is entitled to qualified immunity
against any federal claims asserted against him in his individual capacity, and any such claims
are due to be dismissed.
V.
Conclusion
For these reasons, the court concludes that Defendant Sheriff Mike Hale’s Motion to
Dismiss (Doc. # 3) is due to be granted and Sheriff Hale is due to be dismissed from this case. A
separate order shall be entered.
DONE and ORDERED this July 5, 2016.
_________________________________
R. DAVID PROCTOR
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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