Dozier v. Corrections Corporation of America et al

Filing 16

ORDER, the Third Amended Complaint 14 is dismissed for failure to state a claim; Defendant Corrections Corporation of America is dismissed with prejudice; Plaintiff has 30 days to file a Fourth Amended Complaint in compliance with this Order; if Pl aintiff fails to comply with this order, the Clerk 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 Request for an Order 15 is denied. Signed by Judge David G Campbell on 3/3/14. (REW)

1
2

KAB

WO

3
4
5
6

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

7

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

8
9

Cornelius Dozier, IV,

10
11
12
13
14

No. CV 13-2140-PHX-DGC (LOA)

Plaintiff,
vs.

ORDER

Corrections Corporation of America, et
al.,
Defendants.

15
16

On October 21, 2013, Plaintiff Cornelius Dozier, IV, who is confined in the

17

Florence Correctional Center (the “FCC”), a Corrections Corporation of America

18

(“CCA”) facility in Florence, Arizona, filed a pro se civil rights Complaint pursuant to 42

19

U.S.C. § 1983 and an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. On November 4, 2013,

20

the Court denied the Application to Proceed because it was incomplete and gave Plaintiff

21

30 days to either pay the filing and administrative fees or file a complete Application to

22

Proceed In Forma Pauperis.

23

Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis and an Amended Complaint. Thereafter, on

24

December 18, 2013, Plaintiff filed a Second Amended Complaint. Because Plaintiff filed

25

his Second Amended Complaint prior to screening, the Court treated it as the operative

26

Complaint and treated the original Complaint (Doc. 1) and the Amended Complaint

27

(Doc. 8) as nonexistent.

28

JDDL-K

On December 2, 2013, Plaintiff filed a complete

1

In a January 8, 2014 Order, the Court dismissed the Second Amended Complaint

2

because Plaintiff had failed to state a claim. The Court gave Plaintiff 30 days to file a

3

third amended complaint that cured the deficiencies identified in the Order.

4

On January 27, 2014, Plaintiff filed his Third Amended Complaint (Doc. 14). On

5

February 20, 2014, Plaintiff filed a Request for an Order authorizing service by the

6

United States Marshal in this case (Doc. 15). The Court will dismiss the Third Amended

7

Complaint with leave to amend and deny the Request for an Order.

8

I.

Statutory Screening of Prisoner Complaints

9

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

10

against a governmental entity or an officer or an employee of a governmental entity. 28

11

U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if a plaintiff

12

has raised claims that are legally frivolous or malicious, that fail to state a claim upon

13

which relief may be granted, or that seek monetary relief from a defendant who is

14

immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1), (2).

15

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

16

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

17

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

18

unlawfully-harmed-me accusation.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citation

19

omitted). “Threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere

20

conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Id. (citation omitted).

21
22

claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Id. (citation omitted). A claim is plausible

23

“when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable

24

inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Id. (citation omitted).

25

“Determining whether a complaint states a plausible claim for relief [is] . . . a context-

26

specific task that requires the reviewing court to draw on its judicial experience and

27

common sense.” Id. at 679 (citation omitted). Thus, although a plaintiff’s specific

28

JDDL-K

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

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

-2-

1

whether there are other “more likely explanations” for a defendant’s conduct. Id. at 681.

2

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

3

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

4

342 (9th Cir. 2010). A “complaint [filed by a pro se prisoner] ‘must be held to less

5

stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers.’” Id. (quoting Erickson v.

6

Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007) (per curiam)). If the Court determines that a pleading

7

could be cured by the allegation of other facts, a pro se litigant is entitled to an

8

opportunity to amend a complaint before dismissal of the action. See Lopez v. Smith, 203

9

F.3d 1122, 1127-29 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). Here, Plaintiff fails to state a claim upon

10

which relief can be granted in his Third Amended Complaint, but it appears that the Third

11

Amended Complaint could be cured by allegations of other facts.

12

Plaintiff’s Third Amended Complaint will be dismissed without prejudice and Plaintiff

13

will be given an opportunity to amend.

14

II.

Accordingly,

Third Amended Complaint

15

In his Third Amended Complaint, Plaintiff alleges three counts against Defendants

16

Corrections Corporation of America and Joseph Roemmich, lead investigator at the

17

Florence Correctional Center.

18

Amendment rights were violated.

In Count Two, Plaintiff alleges that his Fifth

19

Amendment rights were violated.

In Count Three, Plaintiff alleges that his Sixth

20

Amendment rights were violated.

In Count One, Plaintiff alleges that his Fourteenth

21
22

facts, as alleged by Plaintiff. On June 12, 2013, Plaintiff sent two letters to his parents,

23

who live in North Carolina. In August, his parents told him that both letters had been

24

opened. At the end of August, Plaintiff sent in a Prisoner Information Request inquiring

25

as to whether he had been flagged as a security threat. On September 4, 2013, Defendant

26

Roemmich responded that “outgoing mail, like incoming mail, is subject to review.” On

27

September 4, 2013, Plaintiff resubmitted the Prisoner Information Request because he

28

JDDL-K

Plaintiff’s claims in Counts One through Three are all based on the following

found the response to be unsatisfactory.

-3-

1

On September 6, 2013, Plaintiff sent a letter to David Michael Cantor, a defense

2

attorney.

3

Roemmich informing Plaintiff that Mr. Cantor had moved offices and informing Plaintiff

4

of the address to Mr. Cantor’s new office. On September 8, 2013, Plaintiff submitted an

5

informal resolution stating that someone was tampering with his outgoing mail. On

6

September 12, 2013, Plaintiff mailed a letter marked as legal mail to Mr. Cantor’s new

7

address. The September 12, 2013 letter was opened, photocopied, and sent to Tracy

8

Vanbuskirk, the prosecutor in Plaintiff’s criminal case.

That letter was returned to Plaintiff with a sticky note from Defendant

9

“Corrections Corporation of America’s failure to properly train its staff in the

10

proper procedure for handling legal content resulted in the damages inflicted from the

11

invasion of [Plaintiff’s] legal mail.”

12
13

Plaintiff seeks monetary damages.
III.

Failure to State a Claim

14

To state a Bivens claim, a plaintiff must allege that persons acting under color of

15

federal law violated his constitutional rights. Martin v. Sias, 88 F.3d 774, 775 (9th Cir.

16

1996) (citing Van Strum v. Lawn, 940 F.2d 406, 409 (9th Cir. 1991). An action under

17

Bivens is identical to one brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 except for the

18

replacement of a state actor under § 1983 by a federal actor under Bivens. Id. To state a

19

valid constitutional claim, a plaintiff must allege that he suffered a specific injury as a

20

result of the conduct of a particular defendant, and he must allege an affirmative link

21

between the injury and the conduct of that defendant. Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362, 371-

22

72, 377 (1976).

23
24

therefore, a defendant’s position as the supervisor of persons who allegedly violated

25

Plaintiff’s constitutional rights does not impose liability. Monell v. Dep’t of Soc. Servs.

26

of City of New York., 436 U.S. 658, 691-92 (1978); Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045

27

(9th Cir. 1989). “Because vicarious liability is inapplicable to Bivens and § 1983 suits, a

28

JDDL-K

Moreover, there is no respondeat superior liability under § 1983 or Bivens, and

plaintiff must plead that each Government-official defendant, through the official’s own

-4-

1

individual actions, has violated the Constitution.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 676.

2

Although pro se pleadings are liberally construed, Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519,

3

520-21 (1972), conclusory and vague allegations will not support a cause of action. Ivey

4

v. Bd. of Regents of the Univ. of Alaska, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982). Further, a

5

liberal interpretation of a civil rights complaint may not supply essential elements of the

6

claim that were not initially pled. Id.

7
8
9

In his Second Amended Complaint, Plaintiff identifies his claims as interference
with his mail and interference with his right of access to the court.
A.

Defendant CCA

10

The United States Supreme Court has declined to expand Bivens to include a

11

private right of action against a private entity under contract with the federal government.

12

Correctional Servs. Corp. v. Malesko, 534 U.S. 61, 70-71 (2001). For that reason,

13

Plaintiff may not seek relief against CCA in an action under Bivens. Accordingly,

14

Defendant CCA will be dismissed from this case with prejudice.

15

B.

Right of Access to the Court

16
17

criminal prosecution was denied, Plaintiff must allege facts demonstrating that he was

18

deprived of any meaningful opportunity to prepare his defense. See Taylor v. List, 880

19

F.2d 1040, 1047 (9th Cir. 1989). Here, Plaintiff does not allege facts supporting a claim

20

that he was deprived of any meaningful opportunity to prepare his defense. Plaintiff’s

21

claims that he was denied his right of access to the court are mostly conclusory. The only

22

fact Plaintiff alleges about his criminal case is that a letter that he sent to his defense

23

attorney was copied and sent to the prosecutor in Plaintiff’s criminal case. However,

24

Plaintiff does not allege who sent the letter to the prosecutor in his criminal case, how the

25

contents in the letter affected his criminal case, how he knows that the prosecutor in his

26

criminal case was sent the letter, or any other facts showing that he was deprived of any

27

meaningful opportunity to prepare a defense in his criminal case. Accordingly, Plaintiff

28

JDDL-K

For a pretrial detainee to state a claim that his right of access to the courts for his

has failed to state a claim based on denial of his right of access to the courts.

-5-

1

C.

Interference with Plaintiff’s Mail

2

Prisoners have “a First Amendment right to send and receive mail.” Witherow v.

3

Paff, 52 F.3d 264, 265 (9th Cir. 1995) (per curiam). However, there must be a “delicate

4

balance” between a prisoner’s First Amendment rights and the discretion given to prison

5

administrators to govern the order and security of the prison. Thornburgh v. Abott, 490

6

U.S. 401, 407-408 (1989).

7

Because outgoing correspondence from prisoners does not, by its very nature, pose

8

a serious threat to internal prison order and security, there must be a closer fit between

9

any regulation or practice affecting such correspondence and the purpose it purports to

10

serve. Thornburgh, 490 U.S. at 411-12. Censorship of outgoing prisoner mail is justified

11

if the following criteria are met: (1) the regulation furthers “an important or substantial

12

government interest unrelated to the suppression of expression” and (2) “the limitation on

13

First Amendment freedoms must be no greater than is necessary or essential to the

14

protection of the particular governmental interest involved.” Procunier v. Martinez, 416

15

U.S. 396, 413 (1974), overruled on other grounds by Thornburgh, 490 U.S. at 413-14.

16

Plaintiff does not plead sufficient facts to establish that his First Amendment rights

17

have been violated by Defendants. Plaintiff simply claims that two letters that he sent to

18

his parents were opened by unnamed prison authorities and that Defendant Roemmich

19

informed Plaintiff that his outgoing mail was subject to review. Plaintiff does not say

20

whether or not the review of his outgoing mail was greater than necessary to protect the

21

governmental interest in order and security of a prison or whether the limitation on his

22

First Amendment rights was greater than necessary to protect the government interest

23

involved. Plaintiff fails to state whether there is a prison regulation for inspecting mail,

24

whether such a regulation furthered a government interest, and whether the government

25

imposition was greater than necessary. Accordingly, Plaintiff has failed to demonstrate

26

that the review of two letters to his parents in his outgoing mail constitutes a violation of

27

a constitutionally protected liberty interest.

28

JDDL-K

Moreover, although appropriately labeled outgoing and incoming legal mail is

-6-

1

entitled to greater protection than other mail, see, e.g., Ramos v. Lamm, 639 F.2d 559,

2

582 (10th Cir. 1980), Plaintiff states no facts about who copied his legal mail, who sent it

3

to the prosecutor, how he knows it was sent to the prosecutor and/or what effect such

4

mailing had on his criminal case. Accordingly, Plaintiff has failed to state a claim against

5

any named Defendant based on the alleged copying and forwarding of his legal mail.

6

Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff has failed to state a claim upon which relief can

7

be granted in his Third Amended Complaint and it will be dismissed.1

8

because Plaintiff’s Third Amended Complaint has been dismissed, Plaintiff’s Motion for

9

an Order requesting service of that complaint on Defendants (Doc. 15) will be denied.

10

IV.

Moreover,

Leave to Amend

11

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

12

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

13

may submit a Fourth Amended Complaint to cure the deficiencies outlined above. The

14

Clerk of Court will mail Plaintiff a court-approved form to use for filing a Fourth

15

Amended Complaint. If Plaintiff fails to use the court-approved form, the Court may

16

strike the Fourth Amended Complaint and dismiss this action without further notice to

17

Plaintiff.

18

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

19

Amended Complaint.” The Fourth Amended Complaint must be retyped or rewritten in

20

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

21

Complaint or Third Amended Complaint by reference. Plaintiff may include only one

22

claim per count.

23
24
25
26
27
28

JDDL-K

1

Because Plaintiff has failed to state a claim against Defendant Roemmich, it is
unclear whether Plaintiff has an alternative, existing process capable of protecting the
constitutional interests at stake in this case, such as a claim under state tort law.
However, if there is an alternative, existing process capable of protecting Plaintiff’s
interests, he may not sue an employee of a private entity under contract with the federal
government, such as Defendant Roemmich, under Bivens. See Minneci v. Pollard, 132
S.Ct. 617, 623 (2012).
-7-

1

A Fourth Amended Complaint supersedes the original Complaint and Third

2

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

3

Roach Studios v. Richard Feiner & Co., 896 F.2d 1542, 1546 (9th Cir. 1990). After

4

amendment, the Court will treat the original Complaint and Third Amended Complaint as

5

nonexistent. Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262. Any cause of action that was raised in the

6

original complaint, first amended complaint, second amended complaint or third

7

amended complaint and that was voluntarily dismissed or was dismissed without

8

prejudice is waived if it is not alleged in a Fourth Amended Complaint. Lacey v.

9

Maricopa County, 693 F.3d 896, 928 (9th Cir. 2012) (en banc).

10

V.

Warnings

11

A.

12

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

13

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

14

intends to pay the balance or (2) show good cause, in writing, why he cannot. Failure to

15

comply may result in dismissal of this action.

Release

16

B.

17

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

18

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

19

for other relief with a notice of change of address. Failure to comply may result in

20

dismissal of this action.

Address Changes

21

C.

22

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

23

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

24

notice to Plaintiff.

Copies

25
26

Because the Third Amended Complaint has been dismissed for failure to state a

27

claim, if Plaintiff fails to file a Fourth Amended Complaint correcting the deficiencies

28

JDDL-K

D.

identified in this Order, the dismissal may count as a “strike” under the “3-strikes”

Possible “Strike”

-8-

1

provision of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Under the 3-strikes provision, a prisoner may not bring

2

a civil action or appeal a civil judgment in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 “if the

3

prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility,

4

brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the

5

grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be

6

granted, unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury.” 28

7

U.S.C. § 1915(g).

8

E.

9

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

10

these warnings, the Court may dismiss this action without further notice. See Ferdik, 963

11

F.2d at 1260-61 (a district court may dismiss an action for failure to comply with any

12

order of the Court).

13

IT IS ORDERED:

14

(1)

Possible Dismissal

The Third Amended Complaint (Doc. 14) is dismissed for failure to state a

15

claim. Defendant Corrections Corporation of America is dismissed with prejudice.

16

Plaintiff has 30 days from the date this Order is filed to file a Fourth Amended Complaint

17

in compliance with this Order.

18

(2)

If Plaintiff fails to file a Fourth Amended Complaint within 30 days, the

19

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

20

with prejudice that states that the dismissal may count as a “strike” under 28 U.S.C.

21

§ 1915(g).

22

(3)

Plaintiff’s Request for an Order (Doc. 15) is denied.

23

(4)

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

24
25

civil rights complaint by a prisoner.
Dated this 3rd day of March, 2014.

26
27
28

JDDL-K

-9-

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 and Administrative Fees. The total fees for this action are $400.00 ($350.00 filing fee
plus $50.00 administrative fee). If you are unable to immediately pay the fees, 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 $400 filing and
administrative fees or the application to proceed in forma pauperis to:

Revised 5/1/2013

1

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 court-approved
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.
2

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 “1-A” 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,” “2B,” 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,” “2-B,” 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 5/1/2013

1

550/555

B. DEFENDANTS
1.

Name of first Defendant:

. The first Defendant is employed as:
at

.

(Position and Title)
2.

(Institution)
. The second Defendant is employed as:

Name of second Defendant:
at

.

(Position and Title)
3.

(Institution)

Name of third Defendant:

. The third Defendant is employed as:
at

.

(Position and Title)
4.

(Institution)

Name of fourth Defendant:
at
(Position and Title)

. The fourth Defendant is employed as:
.
(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 at your
G Yes G No
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 at your
G Yes G No
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