Van DeCasteele #271090 v. Maricopa, County of et al

Filing 17

ORDER - The First Amended Complaint (Doc. 15) is dismissed for failure to state a claim. Plaintiff has 30 days from the date this Order is filed to file a second amended complaint in compliance with this Order. If Plaintiff fails to file a second amended complaint within 30 days, the Clerk of Court must, without further notice, enter a judgment of dismissal of this action with prejudice that states that the dismissal may count as a "strike" under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Plaintiff's motion for order requiring production of his medical records is denied as premature. (Doc. 16.) Signed by Senior Judge Robert C Broomfield on 11/16/12. (LAD)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

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Brent Daniel Van DeCasteele,

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Plaintiff,

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vs.

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Maricopa County, et al.,
Defendants.

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No. CV 12-1158 PHX RCB (BSB)
ORDER

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Plaintiff Brent Daniel Van DeCasteele, who is confined in the Arizona State Prison

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Complex-Eyman, Cook Unit, in Florence, Arizona, filed a pro se civil rights Complaint

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pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which the Court dismissed for failure to state a claim with

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leave to amend. (Doc. 1, 11.) Plaintiff has filed a First Amended Complaint and a motion

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for order for production of medical records. (Doc. 15, 16.) The Court will deny the motion

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as premature prior to service on any Defendant1 and will dismiss the First Amended

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Complaint with leave to amend.

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I.

Statutory Screening of Prisoner Complaints

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The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against

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a governmental entity or an officer or an employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C.

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§ 1915A(a). The Court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if a plaintiff has raised

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Production of documents or other discovery is premature prior to the filing of a
complaint that states a claim and service and appearance by any defendant.

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claims that are legally frivolous or malicious, that fail to state a claim upon which relief may

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be granted, or that seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief.

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28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1), (2).

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A pleading must contain a “short and plain statement of the claim showing that the

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pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2) (emphasis added). While Rule 8 does not

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demand detailed factual allegations, “it demands more than an unadorned, the-defendant-

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unlawfully-harmed-me accusation.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009).

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“Threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory

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statements, do not suffice.” Id.

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“[A] complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a

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claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Id. (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly,

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550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). A claim is plausible “when the plaintiff pleads factual content

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that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the

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misconduct alleged.” Id. “Determining whether a complaint states a plausible claim for

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relief [is] . . . a context-specific task that requires the reviewing court to draw on its judicial

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experience and common sense.” Id. at 1950. Thus, although a plaintiff’s specific factual

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allegations may be consistent with a constitutional claim, a court must assess whether there

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are other “more likely explanations” for a defendant’s conduct. Id. at 1951.

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But as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has instructed, courts

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must “continue to construe pro se filings liberally.” Hebbe v. Pliler, 627 F.3d 338, 342 (9th

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Cir. 2010). A “complaint [filed by a pro se prisoner] ‘must be held to less stringent standards

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than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers.’” Id. (quoting Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89,

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94 (2007) (per curiam)).

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a pro se litigant is entitled to an opportunity to amend a complaint before dismissal of the

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action. See Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1127-29 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). The Court

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should not, however, advise the litigant how to cure the defects. This type of advice “would

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If the Court determines that a pleading could be cured by the allegation of other facts,

undermine district judges’ role as impartial decisionmakers.” Pliler v. Ford, 542 U.S. 225,
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231 (2004); see also Lopez, 203 F.3d at 1131 n.13 (declining to decide whether the court was

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required to inform a litigant of deficiencies). The Court will dismiss Plaintiff’s First

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Amended Complaint for failure to state a claim, but because it may possibly be saved by

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amendment, the Court will dismiss it with leave to amend.

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II.

First Amended Complaint

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Plaintiff alleges three counts for denial of constitutionally adequate medical care and

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threats to safety. Plaintiff sues Maricopa County, Maricopa County Sheriff Joseph M.

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Arpaio, and unknown primary health care doctors.

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compensatory relief.

Plaintiff seeks injunctive and

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Plaintiff alleges the following facts in his First Amended Complaint: in September or

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October 2011, Plaintiff was held in the Lower Buckeye Jail and was assigned to a top bunk

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without a guardrail or ladder to climb down from the bunk. As Plaintiff was climbing down

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from the bunk, he fell and landed on a steel table that was bolted to the wall, which fractured

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his back at the T-10 and T-11 vertebra and caused internal bleeding. On October 6, 2011,

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x-rays of his back were made that showed the fractures. Although Plaintiff was seen by four

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nurses, he was left lying in pain for four days before being rushed to the Maricopa County

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Medical Center and admitted into intensive care. Plaintiff was hospitalized for three days,

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before he was transferred to the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC). Plaintiff

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suffered severe pain and sustained nerve damage in his back.

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III.

Failure to State a Claim

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under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. To state a claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must allege facts

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supporting that (1) the conduct about which he complains was committed by a person acting

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under the color of state law and (2) the conduct deprived him of a federal constitutional or

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statutory right. Wood v. Ostrander, 879 F.2d 583, 587 (9th Cir. 1989). In addition, a

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plaintiff must allege that he suffered a specific injury as a result of the conduct of a particular

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defendant and he must allege an affirmative link between the injury and the conduct of that

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A plaintiff may seek relief for violations of his federal constitutional or statutory rights

defendant. Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362, 371-72, 377 (1976).
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A.

Maricopa County

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Plaintiff sues Maricopa County. A municipality, such as a city or county, is a

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“person” for purposes of § 1983 and may be sued. See Leatherman v. Tarrant County

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Narcotics Intelligence and Coordination Unit, 507 U.S. 163, 166 (1993); Monell v. Dep’t of

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Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 694 (1978). To state a claim against a municipality under § 1983,

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a plaintiff must allege facts to support that his constitutional rights were violated pursuant

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to a policy or custom of the municipality. Cortez v. County of Los Angeles, 294 F.3d 1186,

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1188 (9th Cir. 2001) (citing Monell, 436 U.S. at 690-91); Thompson v. City of Los Angeles,

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885 F.2d 1439, 1443 (9th Cir. 1989)). A municipality may not be sued solely because an

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injury was inflicted by one of its employees or agents. Long v. County of Los Angeles, 442

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F.3d 1178, 1185 (9th Cir. 2006). Therefore, a § 1983 claim against a municipal defendant

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“cannot succeed as a matter of law” unless a plaintiff: (1) contends that the municipal

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defendant maintains a policy or custom pertinent to the plaintiff’s alleged injury; and (2)

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explains how such policy or custom caused the plaintiff’s injury. Sadoski v. Mosley, 435

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F.3d 1076, 1080 (9th Cir. 2006) (affirming dismissal of a municipal defendant pursuant to

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Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6)).

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Plaintiff fails to allege that Maricopa County maintained a policy or custom that

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resulted in the violation of Plaintiff’s federal constitutional rights. He also fails to allege

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facts to support that any constitutional injury was the result of a municipal policy or custom.

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Accordingly, Plaintiff also fails to state a claim against Maricopa County and it will be

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dismissed.

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Plaintiff also sues Sheriff Arpaio. Although Arpaio may properly be sued for

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constitutional violations, Plaintiff fails to state a claim against him. “A plaintiff must allege

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facts, not simply conclusions, that show that an individual was personally involved in the

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deprivation of his civil rights.” Barren v. Harrington, 152 F.3d 1193, 1194 (9th Cir. 1998).

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For an individual to be liable in his official capacity, a plaintiff must allege that the official

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B.

Sheriff Arpaio

acted as a result of a policy, practice, or custom. See Cortez, 294 F.3d at 1188. Further,
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there is no respondeat superior liability under § 1983, so a defendant’s position as the

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supervisor of a someone who allegedly violated a plaintiff’s constitutional rights does not

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make him liable. Monell, 436 U.S. at 691; Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 (9th Cir.

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1989). A supervisor in his individual capacity, “is only liable for constitutional violations

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of his subordinates if the supervisor participated in or directed the violations, or knew of the

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violations and failed to act to prevent them.” Taylor, 880 F.2d at 1045.

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Plaintiff fails to allege any facts against Arpaio. Plaintiff does not allege that Arpaio

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directly violated his constitutional rights. He also fails to allege facts to support that

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Plaintiff’s constitutional rights were violated as a result of a policy or custom promulgated

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or endorsed by Arpaio. Accordingly, Plaintiff fails to state a claim against Arpaio and he

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will be dismissed.

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C.

Unknown Primary Care Physicians

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Plaintiff sues unknown primary care physicians. Rule 10(a) of the Federal Rules of

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Civil Procedure requires the plaintiff to include the names of the parties in the action. As a

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practical matter, it is impossible in most instances for the United States Marshal or his

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designee to serve a summons and complaint or amended complaint upon an anonymous

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defendant.

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complaint, the plaintiff should be given an opportunity through discovery to identify the

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unknown defendants, unless it is clear that discovery would not uncover the identities, or that

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the complaint would be dismissed on other grounds. Wakefield v. Thompson, 177 F.3d

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1160, 1163 (9th Cir. 1999) (citing Gillespie v. Civiletti, 629 F.2d 637, 642 (9th Cir. 1980)).

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Where the names of individual defendants are unknown at the time a complaint is filed, a

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plaintiff may refer to the individual unknown defendants as Defendant John (or Jane) Doe

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1, John Doe 2, and so on, and allege facts to support how each particular Doe defendant

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violated the plaintiff’s constitutional rights. A plaintiff may thereafter use the discovery

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process to obtain the names of fictitiously-named defendants whom he believes violated his

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The Ninth Circuit has held that where identity is unknown prior to the filing of a

constitutional rights and seek leave to amend to name those defendants.
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As discussed herein, Plaintiff will be granted leave to file a an amended complaint in

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which he should name as Defendants the person(s) who allegedly denied him constitutionally

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adequate medical care. If Plaintiff does not know the names of those person(s), Plaintiff may

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refer to each such person by a fictitious name, e.g., John Doe 1, John Doe 2, and so on and

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allege facts to support how each defendant violated his constitutional rights. That is, Plaintiff

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must allege when, where, and how any Doe defendant acted with deliberate indifference to

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his serious medical needs. For example, Plaintiff must allege how a particular defendant

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knew about Plaintiff’s serious medical needs and facts to support that such defendant

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nevertheless failed to provide or obtain medical treatment.

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D.

Threat to Safety

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Plaintiff designates Count I as a claim for threat to safety or conditions of

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confinement, apparently referring to the absence of guardrails or a ladder to descend from

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upper bunks. To state a claim under § 1983 for failure to protect or threats to safety, an

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inmate must allege facts to support that he was incarcerated under conditions posing a

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substantial risk of harm and that prison officials were “deliberately indifferent” to those risks.

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Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 832-33 (1994).

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indifference, a plaintiff must allege facts to support that a defendant knew of, but

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disregarded, an excessive risk to inmate safety. Id. at 837. That is, “the official must both

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[have been] aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk

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of serious harm exist[ed], and he must also [have] draw[n] the inference.” Id.

To adequately allege deliberate

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Plaintiff appears to contend that the absence of a ladder posed a threat to his safety

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and that he fell and injured himself because of the absence of a ladder.2 Plaintiff fails to

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allege facts to support that the absence of a ladder posed a substantial threat to his safety.

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Moreover, Plaintiff fails to allege facts to support that anyone knew that the failure to provide

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ladders posed a substantial threat to his safety but failed to act to alleviate that threat.

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Further, Plaintiff fails to allege facts to connect either Defendant, or anyone else, to the

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The presence of a ladder does not eliminate the possibility of a fall.
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asserted threat to his safety. For all of these reasons, Plaintiff fails to state a claim for threat

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to safety.

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E.

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Plaintiff designates Counts II and III as claims for constitutionally inadequate medical

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care. Not every claim by a prisoner relating to inadequate medical treatment states a

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violation of the Eighth or Fourteenth Amendment. To state a § 1983 medical claim, a

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plaintiff must show that the defendants acted with “deliberate indifference to serious medical

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needs.” Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 2006) (quoting Estelle v. Gamble, 429

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U.S. 97, 104 (1976)). A plaintiff must show (1) a “serious medical need” by demonstrating

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that failure to treat the condition could result in further significant injury or the unnecessary

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and wanton infliction of pain and (2) the defendant’s response was deliberately indifferent.

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Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096 (quotations omitted).

Medical Care

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“Deliberate indifference is a high legal standard.” Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 1051,

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1060 (9th Cir. 2004). To act with deliberate indifference, a prison official must both know

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of and disregard an excessive risk to inmate health; “the official must both be aware of facts

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from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists, and

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he must also draw the inference.” Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837. Deliberate indifference in the

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medical context may be shown by a purposeful act or failure to respond to a prisoner’s pain

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or possible medical need and harm caused by the indifference. Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096.

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Deliberate indifference may also be shown when a prison official intentionally denies,

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delays, or interferes with medical treatment or by the way prison doctors respond to the

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prisoner’s medical needs. Estelle, 429 U.S. at 104-05; Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096.

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care for the prisoner’s safety. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 835. “Neither negligence nor gross

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negligence will constitute deliberate indifference.” Clement v. California Dep’t of Corr., 220

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F. Supp. 2d 1098, 1105 (N.D. Cal. 2002); see also Broughton v. Cutter Labs., 622 F.2d 458,

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460 (9th Cir. 1980) (mere claims of “indifference,” “negligence,” or “medical malpractice”

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Deliberate indifference is a higher standard than negligence or lack of ordinary due

do not support a claim under § 1983). “A difference of opinion does not amount to deliberate
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indifference to [a plaintiff’s] serious medical needs.” Sanchez v. Vild, 891 F.2d 240, 242

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(9th Cir. 1989). A mere delay in medical care, without more, is insufficient to state a claim

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against prison officials for deliberate indifference. See Shapley v. Nevada Bd. of State

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Prison Comm’rs, 766 F.2d 404, 407 (9th Cir. 1985). The indifference must be substantial.

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The action must rise to a level of “unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain.” Estelle, 429

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U.S. at 105.

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Plaintiff sufficiently alleges that he had a serious medical need after falling, but he

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fails to allege facts to support that any Defendant knew, or should have known, about his

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serious medical needs, but nevertheless failed to provide or obtain medical care or treatment.

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Plaintiff must allege facts to support that one or more persons named as defendants knew,

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or should have known, that Plaintiff was seriously injured – including when and how – and

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that such defendant failed to treat or alleviate Plaintiff’s medical condition. Plaintiff has not

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named a jail officer or medical staff-member, who acted with deliberate indifference to his

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serious medical needs, as a Defendant. For that reason, Plaintiff fails to state a claim in

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Counts II or III.3

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IV.

Leave to Amend

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For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint will be dismissed for

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failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Within 30 days, Plaintiff may

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submit a second amended complaint to cure the deficiencies outlined above. The Clerk of

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Court will mail Plaintiff a court-approved form to use for filing a second amended complaint.

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If Plaintiff fails to use the court-approved form, the Court may strike the second amended

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complaint and dismiss this action without further notice to Plaintiff.

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Plaintiff must clearly designate on the face of the document that it is the “Second

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Amended Complaint.” The second amended complaint must be retyped or rewritten in its

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entirety on the court-approved form and may not incorporate any part of the original

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As noted above, if the name of such person is currently unknown to Plaintiff, he
may identify that person by a fictitious name, e.g., John or Jane Doe, and allege facts to
support that the Doe defendant acted with deliberate indifference to Plaintiff’s serious
medical needs.
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Complaint or First Amended Complaint by reference. Plaintiff may include only one claim

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per count.

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A second amended complaint supersedes the original Complaint and First Amended

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Complaint. Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1262 (9th Cir. 1992); Hal Roach Studios v.

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Richard Feiner & Co., 896 F.2d 1542, 1546 (9th Cir. 1990). After amendment, the Court will

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treat the original Complaint and First Amended Complaint as nonexistent. Ferdik, 963 F.2d

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at 1262. Any cause of action that was raised in the original Complaint or First Amended

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complaint is waived if it is not raised in a second amended complaint. King v. Atiyeh, 814

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F.2d 565, 567 (9th Cir. 1987).

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V.

Warnings

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A.

Release

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Plaintiff must pay the unpaid balance of the filing fee within 120 days of his release.

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Also, within 30 days of his release, he must either (1) notify the Court that he intends to pay

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the balance or (2) show good cause, in writing, why he cannot. Failure to comply may result

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in dismissal of this action.

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B.

Address Changes

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Plaintiff must file and serve a notice of a change of address in accordance with Rule

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83.3(d) of the Local Rules of Civil Procedure. Plaintiff must not include a motion for other

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relief with a notice of change of address. Failure to comply may result in dismissal of this

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action.

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C.

Copies

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Plaintiff must submit an additional copy of every filing for use by the Court. See

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LRCiv 5.4. Failure to comply may result in the filing being stricken without further notice

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to Plaintiff.

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Because the First Amended Complaint has been dismissed for failure to state a claim,

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if Plaintiff fails to file a second amended complaint correcting the deficiencies identified in

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D.

Possible “Strike”

this Order, the dismissal may count as a “strike” under the “3-strikes” provision of 28 U.S.C.
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§ 1915(g). Under the 3-strikes provision, a prisoner may not bring a civil action or appeal

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a civil judgment in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 “if the prisoner has, on 3 or more

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prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action or appeal

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in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous,

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malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner is

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under imminent danger of serious physical injury.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g).

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E.

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If Plaintiff fails to timely comply with every provision of this Order, including these

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warnings, the Court may dismiss this action without further notice. See Ferdik, 963 F.2d at

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1260-61 (a district court may dismiss an action for failure to comply with any order of the

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Court).

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IT IS ORDERED:

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(1)

Possible Dismissal

The First Amended Complaint (Doc. 15) is dismissed for failure to state a

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claim. Plaintiff has 30 days from the date this Order is filed to file a second amended

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complaint in compliance with this Order.

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(2)

If Plaintiff fails to file a second amended complaint within 30 days, the Clerk

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of Court must, without further notice, enter a judgment of dismissal of this action with

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prejudice that states that the dismissal may count as a “strike” under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g).

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(3)

The Clerk of Court must mail Plaintiff a court-approved form for filing a civil

rights complaint by a prisoner.
(4)

Plaintiff’s motion for order requiring production of his medical records is

denied as premature. (Doc. 16.)
DATED this 16th day of November, 2012.

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Instructions for a Prisoner Filing a Civil Rights Complaint
in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona
1. Who May Use This Form. The civil rights complaint form is designed to help incarcerated
persons prepare a complaint seeking relief for a violation of their federal civil rights. These
complaints typically concern, but are not limited to, conditions of confinement. This form
should not be used to challenge your conviction or sentence. If you want to challenge a state
conviction or sentence, you should file a petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 for a writ of habeas
corpus by a person in state custody. If you want to challenge a federal conviction or sentence,
you should file a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to vacate sentence in the federal court that
entered the judgment.
2. The Form. Local Rule of Civil Procedure (LRCiv) 3.4(a) provides that complaints by
incarcerated persons must be filed on the court-approved form. The form must be typed or
neatly handwritten. The form must be completely filled in to the extent applicable. All
questions must be answered clearly and concisely in the appropriate space on the form. If
needed, you may attach additional pages, but no more than fifteen additional pages, of standard
letter-sized paper. You must identify which part of the complaint is being continued and
number all pages. If you do not fill out the form properly, you will be asked to submit additional
or corrected information, which may delay the processing of your action. You do not need to
cite law.
3. Your Signature. You must tell the truth and sign the form. If you make a false statement of
a material fact, you may be prosecuted for perjury.
4. The Filing Fee. The filing fee for this action is $350.00. If you are unable to immediately
pay the filing fee, you may request leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Please review the
“Information for Prisoners Seeking Leave to Proceed with a (Non-Habeas) Civil Action in
Federal Court In Forma Pauperis Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915” for additional instructions.
5. Original and Judge’s Copy. You must send an original plus one copy of your complaint and
of any other documents submitted to the Court. You must send one additional copy to the Court
if you wish to have a file-stamped copy of the document returned to you. All copies must be
identical to the original. Copies may be legibly handwritten.
6. Where to File. You should file your complaint in the division where you were confined
when your rights were allegedly violated. See LRCiv 5.1(a) and 77.1(a). If you were confined
in Maricopa, Pinal, Yuma, La Paz, or Gila County, file in the Phoenix Division. If you were
confined in Apache, Navajo, Coconino, Mohave, or Yavapai County, file in the Prescott
Division. If you were confined in Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Graham, or Greenlee County, file
in the Tucson Division. Mail the original and one copy of the complaint with the $350 filing
fee or the application to proceed in forma pauperis to:

Revised 3/9/07

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Phoenix & Prescott Divisions:
OR
U.S. District Court Clerk
U.S. Courthouse, Suite 130
401 West Washington Street, SPC 10
Phoenix, Arizona 85003-2119

Tucson Division:
U.S. District Court Clerk
U.S. Courthouse, Suite 1500
405 West Congress Street
Tucson, Arizona 85701-5010

7. Change of Address. You must immediately notify the Court and the defendants in writing
of any change in your mailing address. Failure to notify the Court of any change in your
mailing address may result in the dismissal of your case.
8. Certificate of Service. You must furnish the defendants with a copy of any document you
submit to the Court (except the initial complaint and application to proceed in forma pauperis).
Each original document (except the initial complaint and application to proceed in forma
pauperis) must include a certificate of service on the last page of the document stating the date
a copy of the document was mailed to the defendants and the address to which it was mailed.
See Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(a), (d). Any document received by the Court that does not include a
certificate of service may be stricken. A certificate of service should be in the following form:
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was mailed
this
(month, day, year) to:
Name:
Address:
Attorney for Defendant(s)
(Signature)
9. Amended Complaint. If you need to change any of the information in the initial complaint,
you must file an amended complaint. The amended complaint must be written on the courtapproved civil rights complaint form. You may file one amended complaint without leave
(permission) of Court before any defendant has answered your original complaint. See Fed. R.
Civ. P. 15(a). After any defendant has filed an answer, you must file a motion for leave to
amend and lodge (submit) a proposed amended complaint. LRCiv 15.1. In addition, an
amended complaint may not incorporate by reference any part of your prior complaint. LRCiv
15.1(a)(2). Any allegations or defendants not included in the amended complaint are
considered dismissed. All amended complaints are subject to screening under the Prison
Litigation Reform Act; screening your amendment will take additional processing time.
10. Exhibits. You should not submit exhibits with the complaint or amended complaint.
Instead, the relevant information should be paraphrased. You should keep the exhibits to use
to support or oppose a motion to dismiss, a motion for summary judgment, or at trial.
11. Letters and Motions. It is generally inappropriate to write a letter to any judge or the staff
of any judge. The only appropriate way to communicate with the Court is by filing a written
pleading or motion.
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12. Completing the Civil Rights Complaint Form.
HEADING:
1. Your Name. Print your name, prison or inmate number, and institutional mailing
address on the lines provided.
2. Defendants. If there are four or fewer defendants, print the name of each. If you
name more than four defendants, print the name of the first defendant on the first line,
write the words “and others” on the second line, and attach an additional page listing the
names of all of the defendants. Insert the additional page after page 1 and number it “1A” at the bottom.
3. Jury Demand. If you want a jury trial, you must write “JURY TRIAL DEMANDED”
in the space below “CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT BY A PRISONER.” Failure to do
so may result in the loss of the right to a jury trial. A jury trial is not available if you are
seeking only injunctive relief.
Part A. JURISDICTION:
1. Nature of Suit. Mark whether you are filing the complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
§ 1983 for state, county, or city defendants; “Bivens v. Six Unknown Federal Narcotics
Agents” for federal defendants; or “other.” If you mark “other,” identify the source of
that authority.
2. Location. Identify the institution and city where the alleged violation of your rights
occurred.
3. Defendants. Print all of the requested information about each of the defendants in the
spaces provided. If you are naming more than four defendants, you must provide the
necessary information about each additional defendant on separate pages labeled “2-A,”
“2-B,” etc., at the bottom. Insert the additional page(s) immediately behind page 2.
Part B. PREVIOUS LAWSUITS:
You must identify any other lawsuit you have filed in either state or federal court while
you were a prisoner. Print all of the requested information about each lawsuit in the spaces
provided. If you have filed more than three lawsuits, you must provide the necessary
information about each additional lawsuit on a separate page. Label the page(s) as “2-A,” “2B,” etc., at the bottom of the page and insert the additional page(s) immediately behind page 2.
Part C. CAUSE OF ACTION:
You must identify what rights each defendant violated. The form provides space to
allege three separate counts (one violation per count). If you are alleging more than three
counts, you must provide the necessary information about each additional count on a separate
page. Number the additional pages “5-A,” “5-B,” etc., and insert them immediately behind page
5. Remember that you are limited to a total of fifteen additional pages.
3

1. Counts. You must identify which civil right was violated. You may allege the
violation of only one civil right per count.
2. Issue Involved. Check the box that most closely identifies the issue involved in your
claim. You may check only one box per count. If you check the box marked “Other,”
you must identify the specific issue involved.
3. Supporting Facts. After you have identified which civil right was violated, you must
state the supporting facts. Be as specific as possible. You must state what each
individual defendant did to violate your rights. If there is more than one defendant, you
must identify which defendant did what act. You also should state the date(s) on which
the act(s) occurred, if possible.
4. Injury. State precisely how you were injured by the alleged violation of your rights.
5. Administrative Remedies. You must exhaust any available administrative remedies
before you file a civil rights complaint. See 42 U.S.C. § 1997e. Consequently, you
should disclose whether you have exhausted the inmate grievance procedures or
administrative appeals for each count in your complaint. If the grievance procedures
were not available for any of your counts, fully explain why on the lines provided.
Part D. REQUEST FOR RELIEF:
Print the relief you are seeking in the space provided.
SIGNATURE:
You must sign your name and print the date you signed the complaint. Failure to sign
the complaint will delay the processing of your action. Unless you are an attorney, you may not
bring an action on behalf of anyone but yourself.

FINAL NOTE
You should follow these instructions carefully. Failure to do so may result in your
complaint being stricken or dismissed. All questions must be answered concisely in the proper
space on the form. If you need more space, you may attach no more than fifteen additional
pages. But the form must be completely filled in to the extent applicable. If you attach
additional pages, be sure to identify which section of the complaint is being continued and
number the pages.

4

Name and Prisoner/Booking Number

Place of Confinement

Mailing Address

City, State, Zip Code

(Failure to notify the Court of your change of address may result in dismissal of this action.)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

(Full Name of Plaintiff)

Plaintiff,
vs.

(1)
(Full Name of Defendant)

(2)
(3)
(4)
Defendant(s).

G

Check if there are additional Defendants and attach page 1-A listing them.

)
, )
)
)
) CASE NO.
)
(To be supplied by the Clerk)
, )
)
, )
CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT
)
, )
BY A PRISONER
)
, )
G Original Complaint
G First Amended Complaint
)
)
G Second Amended Complaint

A. JURISDICTION
1.

2.

This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to:
G 28 U.S.C. § 1343(a); 42 U.S.C. § 1983
G 28 U.S.C. § 1331; Bivens v. Six Unknown Federal Narcotics Agents, 403 U.S. 388 (1971).
G Other:

.

Institution/city where violation occurred:

.

Revised 3/9/07

1

550/555

B. DEFENDANTS
1.

Name of first Defendant:
at

. The first Defendant is employed as:
.

(Position and Title)

2.

(Institution)

Name of second Defendant:
at

. The second Defendant is employed as:
.

(Position and Title)

3.

(Institution)

Name of third Defendant:
at

. The third Defendant is employed as:
.

(Position and Title)

4.

(Institution)

Name of fourth Defendant:
at

. The fourth Defendant is employed as:
.

(Position and Title)

(Institution)

If you name more than four Defendants, answer the questions listed above for each additional Defendant on a separate page.

C. PREVIOUS LAWSUITS
1.

Have you filed any other lawsuits while you were a prisoner?

2.

If yes, how many lawsuits have you filed?

G Yes

G No

. Describe the previous lawsuits:

a. First prior lawsuit:
1. Parties:
v.
2. Court and case number:
3. Result: (Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?)

.
.

b. Second prior lawsuit:
v.
1. Parties:
2. Court and case number:
3. Result: (Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?)

.
.

c. Third prior lawsuit:
1. Parties:
v.
2. Court and case number:
3. Result: (Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?)

.
.

If you filed more than three lawsuits, answer the questions listed above for each additional lawsuit on a separate page.

2

D. CAUSE OF ACTION

1.

COUNT I
State the constitutional or other federal civil right that was violated:
.

2.

Count I. Identify the issue involved. Check only one. State additional issues in separate counts.
G Basic necessities
G Mail
G Access to the court
G Medical care
G Disciplinary proceedings
G Property
G Exercise of religion
G Retaliation
G Excessive force by an officer G Threat to safety G Other:

.

3. Supporting Facts. State as briefly as possible the FACTS supporting Count I. Describe exactly what
each Defendant did or did not do that violated your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without
citing legal authority or arguments.

.
4.

Injury. State how you were injured by the actions or inactions of the Defendant(s).

.
5.

Administrative Remedies:
a. Are there any administrative remedies (grievance procedures or administrative appeals) available
G Yes G No
at your institution?
b. Did you submit a request for administrative relief on Count I?
G Yes G No
c. Did you appeal your request for relief on Count I to the highest level?
G Yes G No
d. If you did not submit or appeal a request for administrative relief at any level, briefly explain why
you did not.
.
3

1.

COUNT II
State the constitutional or other federal civil right that was violated:
.

2.

Count II. Identify the issue involved. Check only one. State additional issues in separate counts.
G Basic necessities
G Mail
G Access to the court
G Medical care
G Disciplinary proceedings
G Property
G Exercise of religion
G Retaliation
G Excessive force by an officer G Threat to safety G Other:

.

3. Supporting Facts. State as briefly as possible the FACTS supporting Count II. Describe exactly what
each Defendant did or did not do that violated your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without
citing legal authority or arguments.

.
4.

Injury. State how you were injured by the actions or inactions of the Defendant(s).

.
5.

Administrative Remedies.
a. Are there any administrative remedies (grievance procedures or administrative appeals) available
at your institution?
G Yes G No
b. Did you submit a request for administrative relief on Count II?
G Yes G No
c. Did you appeal your request for relief on Count II to the highest level?
G Yes G No
d. If you did not submit or appeal a request for administrative relief at any level, briefly explain why
you did not.
.
4

1.

COUNT III
State the constitutional or other federal civil right that was violated:
.

2.

Count III. Identify the issue involved. Check only one. State additional issues in separate counts.
G Basic necessities
G Mail
G Access to the court
G Medical care
G Disciplinary proceedings
G Property
G Exercise of religion
G Retaliation
G Excessive force by an officer G Threat to safety G Other:

.

3. Supporting Facts. State as briefly as possible the FACTS supporting Count III. Describe exactly what
each Defendant did or did not do that violated your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without
citing legal authority or arguments.

.
4.

Injury. State how you were injured by the actions or inactions of the Defendant(s).

.
5.

Administrative Remedies.
a. Are there any administrative remedies (grievance procedures or administrative appeals) available
G Yes G No
at your institution?
b. Did you submit a request for administrative relief on Count III?
G Yes G No
c. Did you appeal your request for relief on Count III to the highest level?
G Yes G No
d. If you did not submit or appeal a request for administrative relief at any level, briefly explain why
you did not.
.

If you assert more than three Counts, answer the questions listed above for each additional Count on a separate page.

5

E. REQUEST FOR RELIEF
State the relief you are seeking:

.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed on
DATE

SIGNATURE OF PLAINTIFF

(Name and title of paralegal, legal assistant, or
other person who helped prepare this complaint)

(Signature of attorney, if any)

(Attorney’s address & telephone number)

ADDITIONAL PAGES
All questions must be answered concisely in the proper space on the form. If you need more space, you may
attach no more than fifteen additional pages. But the form must be completely filled in to the extent
applicable. If you attach additional pages, be sure to identify which section of the complaint is being continued
and number all pages.

6