Braatz v. Arpaio et al

Filing 5

ORDER granting the 2 APPLICATION for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. The Complaint (Doc. 1 ) is dismissed for failure to state a claim. Plaintiff has 30 days from the date this Order is filed to file a first amended complaint in complianc e with this Order. If Plaintiff fails to file an 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). (See document for full details). Signed by Judge David G Campbell on 5/8/14. (LAD)

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ASH

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

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Kenneth Harvey Braatz,

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No. CV 14-0689-PHX-DGC (JFM)

Plaintiff,
vs.

ORDER

Joseph M. Arpaio, et al.,

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Defendants.

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Plaintiff Kenneth Harvey Braatz, who is confined in the Maricopa County

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Durango Jail, has filed a pro se civil rights Complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (Doc.

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1) and an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Doc. 2). The Court will dismiss

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the Complaint with leave to amend.

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I.

Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis and Filing Fee

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§ 1915(a). Plaintiff must pay the statutory filing fee of $350.00. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1).

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The Court will not assess an initial partial filing fee. Id. The statutory filing fee will be

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collected monthly in payments of 20% of the previous month’s income credited to

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Plaintiff’s trust account each time the amount in the account exceeds $10.00. 28 U.S.C.

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§ 1915(b)(2). The Court will enter a separate Order requiring the appropriate government

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agency to collect and forward the fees according to the statutory formula.

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....

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Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis will be granted. 28 U.S.C.

....

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II.

Statutory Screening of Prisoner Complaints

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

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

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

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

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

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immune from such relief. 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

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does not demand detailed factual allegations, “it demands more than an unadorned, the-

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defendant-unlawfully-harmed-me accusation.”

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(2009). “Threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere

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conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Id.

Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678

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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

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

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

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claim for relief [is] . . . a context-specific task that requires the reviewing court to draw

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on its judicial experience and common sense.” Id. at 679. Thus, although a plaintiff’s

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

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

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at 681.

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

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

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

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

Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007) (per curiam)).

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

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facts, a pro se litigant is entitled to an opportunity to amend a complaint before dismissal

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

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Here, Plaintiff fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted in his Complaint,

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but it appears that allegations of additional or other facts could cure this failure.

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Accordingly, Plaintiff’s Complaint will be dismissed without prejudice and Plaintiff will

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be given an opportunity to amend.

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III.

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Complaint
In his Complaint, Plaintiff alleges three counts against Defendants Maricopa

County Sheriff Joseph M. Arpaio and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

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In Count One, Plaintiff alleges as follows: the “air conditioning runs constantly,

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regardless of outside temperature”; the “air conditioning temperature is kept at 67 degrees

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or lower”; the “staff refuses to provide extra blankets or clothes”; the air ventilation is

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“poor/improper”; the duct work is “dirty/uncleaned”; there are “multiple inmates with

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unknown illnesses”; he “can’t get to medical in [a] timely manner”; he is “uncomfortable

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at all times”; and there is asbestos in the ceiling. As a result, Plaintiff asserts that he is

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“sick or becoming sick,” that he has lost sleep, that he has contracted “cold or flu

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viruses,” that he has headaches and bodyaches, and that he is unsure of the long-term

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effect these alleged injuries will have on him.

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per day”; he receives “only two meals a day”; there are “unknown objects in dinner”; the

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portions are small and cold; food is lost during transportation; the fruit is rotten, the milk

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is spoiled, the jelly is expired, and there is mold on the bread; and staff “changed [the]

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menu from 2 milks to one milk plus one jelly – now one milk to zero jelly.” As a result,

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Plaintiff asserts that he is malnourished, that he has lost weight, that he has headaches

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and stomach aches, the he has become weak and feels fatigued, and that he suffers from

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“P.T.S.S.”

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In Count Two, Plaintiff alleges as follows: he is served “under 2,000 caloris [sic]

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In Count Three, Plaintiff alleges as follows: Durango is one of the “only jails in

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the U.S. to house 4 men per cell”; the “four bunks in a cell are too close together” and

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this creates a fire hazard; “64 inmates share two tolits [sic] and share 2 showers”; the

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“drains are clogged” but “staff won’t bring maintenance”; the holding tanks are

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overcrowded and the “number of inmates per tank [is] above maximum capacity”; there

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are “not enough tables and chairs”; the “bunks, tables, and chairs are rusted”; there is

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asbestos in the buildings; conditions are unsanitary; and there are “unknown illnesses

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between inmates.” As a result, Plaintiff asserts that he has “bodily injury,” “staff [sic]

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infections,” suffers from “P.T.S.S.,” and is unsure of the long-term effect these alleged

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injuries will have on him.

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As relief, Plaintiff seeks monetary damages.
IV.

Failure to State a Claim

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To prevail in a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim, a plaintiff must show that (1) acts by the

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defendants (2) under color of state law (3) deprived plaintiff of federal rights, privileges,

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or immunities, and (4) caused him damage. Thornton v. City of St. Helens, 425 F.3d

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1158, 1163-64 (9th Cir. 2005) (quoting Shoshone-Bannock Tribes v. Idaho Fish & Game

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Comm’n, 42 F3d 1278, 1284 (9th Cir. 1994)). In addition, a plaintiff must allege that he

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suffered a specific injury as a result of the conduct of a particular defendant, and he must

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allege an affirmative link between the injury and the conduct of that defendant. Rizzo v.

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Goode, 423 U.S. 362, 371-72, 377 (1976).

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Plaintiff fails to state a claim against Defendant Arpaio in his Complaint. “A

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plaintiff must allege facts, not simply conclusions, that show that an individual was

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personally involved in the deprivation of his civil rights.” Barren v. Harrington, 152

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F.3d 1193, 1194 (9th Cir. 1998). For an individual to be liable in his official capacity, a

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plaintiff must allege that the official acted as a result of a policy, practice, or custom. See

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Cortez v. County of Los Angeles, 294 F.3d 1186, 1188 (9th Cir. 2002). Further, there is

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no respondeat superior liability under § 1983, so a defendant’s position as the supervisor

Maricopa County Sheriff Joseph M. Arpaio

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

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the supervisor liable. Monell v. Dep’t of Soc. Svcs. Of New York, 436 U.S. 658, 691

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(1978); Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 (9th Cir. 1989).

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individual capacity “is only liable for constitutional violations of his subordinates if the

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supervisor participated in or directed the violations, or knew of the violations and failed

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

A supervisor in his

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Plaintiff fails to allege any facts regarding Defendant Arpaio in his Complaint.

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Plaintiff does not allege that Defendant Arpaio directly violated Plaintiff’s constitutional

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rights.

Nor does Plaintiff allege facts showing that Defendant Arpaio violated his

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constitutional rights pursuant to a policy, practice, or custom, participated in or directed

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any violations of Plaintiff’s rights, or knew of any violations of Plaintiff’s rights but

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failed to act to prevent them. Defendant Arpaio will be dismissed from this proceeding.

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B.

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The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is not a proper defendant. In Arizona, the

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responsibility for operating jails and caring for prisoners is placed by law upon the sheriff

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of the county in which a jail is located. See Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 11-441(A)(5); Ariz.

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Rev. Stat. Ann. § 31-101. A sheriff’s “office” is simply an administrative creation of the

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sheriff to allow him to carry out his statutory duties. As such, a sheriff’s “office” is not a

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“person” that can be sued pursuant to § 1983; only individual sheriff’s officers may be

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sued pursuant to § 1983. Accordingly, Defendant Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office will

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be dismissed from this proceeding.

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V.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office

Leave to Amend

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

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submit a first 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 first amended

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complaint. If Plaintiff fails to use the court-approved form, the Court may strike the

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For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s Complaint will be dismissed for failure to

amended 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 “First

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Amended Complaint.” The first 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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Complaint by reference. Plaintiff may include only one claim per count.

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A first amended complaint supersedes the original complaint. Ferdik v. Bonzelet,

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963 F.2d 1258, 1262 (9th Cir. 1992); Hal Roach Studios v. Richard Feiner & Co., 896

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F.2d 1542, 1546 (9th Cir. 1990). After amendment, the Court will treat an original

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

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in the original complaint and that was voluntarily dismissed or was dismissed without

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prejudice is waived if it is not alleged in a first amended complaint. Lacey v. Maricopa

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

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Further, if Plaintiff files an amended complaint, Plaintiff must write short, plain

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statements telling the Court: (1) the constitutional right Plaintiff believes was violated;

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(2) the name of the Defendant who violated the right; (3) exactly what that Defendant did

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or failed to do; (4) how the action or inaction of the Defendant is connected to the

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violation of Plaintiff’s constitutional right; and (5) what specific injury Plaintiff suffered

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because of that Defendant’s conduct. See Rizzo, 423 U.S. at 371-72, 377.

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Plaintiff must repeat this process for each person he names as a Defendant. If

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Plaintiff fails to explain how the conduct of each named Defendant is connected to the

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specific injury suffered by Plaintiff, the allegations against that Defendant will be

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dismissed for failure to state a claim. Conclusory allegations that a Defendant or

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group of Defendants has violated a constitutional right are not acceptable and will

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be dismissed.

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detainee’s claim for unconstitutional conditions of confinement arises from the

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Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Clause rather than from the Eighth Amendment

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prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 535

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Moreover, in amending his Complaint, Plaintiff should be aware that a pretrial

n.16 (1979). Nevertheless, the same standards are applied, requiring proof that the

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defendant acted with deliberate indifference. See Frost v. Agnos, 152 F.3d 1124, 1128

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(9th Cir. 1998) (citation omitted).

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

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due care for the prisoner’s safety. Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 835 (1994). To

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state a claim of deliberate indifference, plaintiffs must meet a two-part test. First, the

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alleged constitutional deprivation must be, objectively, “sufficiently serious”; the

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official’s act or omission must result in the denial of “the minimal civilized measure of

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life’s necessities.” Id. at 834. Second, the prison official must have a “sufficiently

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culpable state of mind,” i.e., he must act with deliberate indifference to inmate health or

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safety. Id. In defining “deliberate indifference” in this context, the Supreme Court has

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imposed a subjective test: “the official must both be aware of facts from which the

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inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exists, and he must also

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draw the inference.” Id. at 837 (emphasis added).

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To state a claim for unconstitutional conditions of confinement, a plaintiff must

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allege that a defendant’s acts or omissions have deprived the inmate of “the minimal

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civilized measure of life’s necessities” and that the defendant acted with deliberate

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indifference to an excessive risk to inmate health or safety. Allen v. Sakai, 48 F.3d 1082,

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1087 (9th Cir. 1994) (quoting Farmer, 511 U.S. at 834); see Estate of Ford v. Ramirez–

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Palmer, 301 F.3d 1043, 1049-50 (9th Cir. 2002). Whether conditions of confinement rise

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to the level of a constitutional violation may depend, in part, on the duration of an

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inmate’s exposure to those conditions. Keenan v. Hall, 83 F.3d 1083, 1089, 1091 (9th

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Cir. 1996) (citing Hutto v. Finney, 437 U.S. 678, 686-87 (1978)). “The circumstances,

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nature, and duration of a deprivation of [ ] necessities must be considered in determining

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whether a constitutional violation has occurred.” Hearns v. Terhune, 413 F.3d 1036,

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1042 (9th Cir. 2005) (quoting Johnson v. Lewis, 217 F.3d 726, 731 (9th Cir. 2000)).

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and Fourteenth Amendments. See Hoptowit v. Ray, 682 F.2d 1237, 1248-49 (9th Cir.

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Allegations of overcrowding, without more, do not state a claim under the Eighth

1982). A plaintiff may, however, state a cognizable claim where he or she alleges that

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overcrowding results in some unconstitutional condition. See, e.g., Akao v. Shimoda, 832

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F.2d 119, 120 (9th Cir. 1987) (reversing district court’s dismissal of claim that

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overcrowding caused increased stress, tension and communicable disease among inmate

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population); see also Toussaint v. Yockey, 722 F.2d 1490, 1492 (9th Cir. 1984) (affirming

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that an Eighth Amendment violation may occur as a result of overcrowded prison

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conditions causing increased violence, tension and psychiatric problems).

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With respect to meals, “[t]he Eighth [and Fourteenth] Amendment[s] require[]

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only that prisoners receive food that is adequate to maintain health; it need not be tasty or

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aesthetically pleasing.” LeMaire v. Maass, 12 F.3d 1444, 1456 (9th Cir. 1993); see

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Frost, 152 F.3d at 1128 (applying Eighth Amendment standard to a pretrial detainee’s

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Fourteenth Amendment claims regarding his conditions of confinement). “The fact that

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the food occasionally contains foreign objects or sometimes is served cold, while

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unpleasant, does not amount to a constitutional deprivation.” LeMaire, 12 F.3d at 1456

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(citations omitted). An inmate may, however, state a claim where he alleges that he is

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served meals with insufficient calories for long periods of time. Id.

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A first amended complaint supersedes the original complaint. Ferdik v. Bonzelet,

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963 F.2d 1258, 1262 (9th Cir. 1992); Hal Roach Studios v. Richard Feiner & Co., 896

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F.2d 1542, 1546 (9th Cir. 1990). After amendment, the Court will treat an original

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

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in the original complaint and that was voluntarily dismissed or was dismissed without

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prejudice is waived if it is not alleged in a first amended complaint. Lacey v. Maricopa

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

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VI.

Warnings

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If Plaintiff is released from confinement, Plaintiff must pay the unpaid balance of

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the filing fee within 120 days of his release. Also, within 30 days of his release, he must

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either (1) notify the Court that he intends to pay the balance or (2) show good cause, in

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A.

writing, why he cannot. Failure to comply may result in dismissal of this action.

Release

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B.

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If Plaintiff’s address changes, Plaintiff must file and serve a notice of a change of

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address in accordance with Rule 83.3(d) of the Local Rules of Civil Procedure. Plaintiff

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must not include a motion for other relief with a notice of change of address. Failure to

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comply may result in dismissal of this action.

Address Changes

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C.

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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

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notice to Plaintiff.

Copies

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D.

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Because the Complaint has been dismissed for failure to state a claim, if Plaintiff

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fails to file an amended complaint correcting the deficiencies identified in this Order, the

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dismissal may count as a “strike” under the “3-strikes” provision of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g).

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Under the 3-strikes provision, a prisoner may not bring a civil action or appeal a civil

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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

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

Possible “Strike”

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E.

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

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

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

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order of the Court).

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IT IS ORDERED:

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(1)

Possible Dismissal

Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Doc. 2) is granted.

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(2)

As required by the accompanying Order to the appropriate government

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agency, Plaintiff must pay the $350.00 filing fee and is not assessed an initial partial

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filing fee.

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(3)

The Complaint (Doc. 1) is dismissed for failure to state a claim. Plaintiff

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has 30 days from the date this Order is filed to file a first amended complaint in

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compliance with this Order.

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(4)

If Plaintiff fails to file an amended complaint within 30 days, the Clerk of

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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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(5)

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

civil rights complaint by a prisoner.
Dated this 8th day of May, 2014.

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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 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

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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 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.
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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 “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