Ziegenfuss v. Arpaio et al

Filing 7

ORDER granting 2 Plaintiff's Application/Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis, Plaintiff must pay the $350.00 filing fee. The complaint is dismissed with 30 days leave to amend. Clerk must enter dismissal with prejudice that states that the dismissal may count as a "strike" under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g) if Plaintiff fails to comply. Signed by Judge David G Campbell on 9/18/14.(LSP)

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MGD

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

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James Norman Ziegenfuss, Jr.,

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No. CV 14-1508-PHX-DGC (DKD)

Plaintiff,
vs.

ORDER

Joseph M. Arpaio, et al.,

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Defendants.

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Plaintiff James Norman Ziegenfuss, Jr., who is confined in the Maricopa County

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Tent City Jail, has filed a pro se civil rights Complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983

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

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dismiss 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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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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Plaintiff’s Complaint will be dismissed for failure to state a claim, but because it may

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possibly be amended to state a claim, the Court will dismiss it with leave to amend.

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III.

Complaint

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Plaintiff names the following Defendants in his two-count Complaint: Maricopa

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County Sheriff Joseph M. Arpaio; the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors; Maricopa

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County Jails; Fulton Brock; Don Stapley; Andrew Kunasek; Max Wilson; Mary Rose

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Wilcox; Maricopa County Tents Jail; Commander John Doe; and MCSO Kitchen

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Supervisor “Et, Al.” Plaintiff seeks damages and training for food handlers. He also

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wants felons who have been out of prison for more than a year to be allowed to visit

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family members in jail.

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In Count One, Plaintiff asserts a Fourth Amendment “discrimination” claim and

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alleges the following facts: Defendants Arpaio, Maricopa County Jails, Brock, Stapley,

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Kunasek, Wilson, Wilcox, and Maricopa County Supervisors implemented written rules,

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regulations, directives and policies that are discriminatory and prejudicial to “any and all

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felons to visit anyone in M.C.S.O. jails, be it relative, family member or fiancé of any

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felon to visit an inmate here at M.C.S.O.” However, a person who has been released

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from jail can “visit anyone after 12 months expired.” Plaintiff is unable “to have the

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same visits [with his] loved ones because they are felons and denied [] visitation rights.”

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This has harmed Plaintiff and his family members. Plaintiff’s fiancée is not allowed to

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visit him “because her felony was over 15 years ago” and there is no “time limit on felons

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but there is on anyone else.” Plaintiff is being discriminated against, and the rule is

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prejudicial against felons and families. In addition, the rule is “constitutionally unfair”

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and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.

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In Count Two, Plaintiff asserts a threat to safety claim and alleges the following
facts: Defendants Arpaio, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and Maricopa County

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Jails failed to follow rules, regulations, policy and procedures in preparing Plaintiff’s

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meals “and with deliberate indifference failed to remove pebbles from [Plaintiff’s] soy

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beans causing 2 of [his] back teeth to crack in half while eating [his] meal.” The kitchen

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supervisor is supposed to check the beans for pebbles before cooking, but “with

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deliberate indifference caused a serious medical injury” to Plaintiff’s mouth. This is a

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violation of Plaintiff’s “civil right to be free from danger while eating” and a threat to

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Plaintiff’s safety. Plaintiff has been waiting for three weeks to see a dentist, and his first

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health needs request was lost. Plaintiff has “lots of pain and suffering.”

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IV.

Failure to State a Claim

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To prevail in a § 1983 claim, a plaintiff must show that (1) acts by the defendants

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(2) under color of state law (3) deprived him of federal rights, privileges or immunities

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and (4) caused him damage. Thornton v. City of St. Helens, 425 F.3d 1158, 1163-64 (9th

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Cir. 2005) (quoting Shoshone-Bannock Tribes v. Idaho Fish & Game Comm’n, 42 F.3d

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1278, 1284 (9th Cir. 1994)). In addition, a plaintiff must allege that he suffered a specific

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injury as a result of the conduct of a particular defendant and he must allege an

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affirmative link between the injury and the conduct of that defendant. Rizzo v. Goode,

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

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A.

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The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and the individual members of that

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Board (Defendants Brock, Stapley, Kunasek, Wilson, and Wilcox) are not proper

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Defendants and must be dismissed. Local government bodies, such as Arizona counties,

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are persons under § 1983 and may be sued for constitutional injuries. Liability may be

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imposed on the county if a plaintiff establishes that his injuries were inflicted pursuant to

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an official county policy or custom. Thompson v. City of Los Angeles, 885 F.2d 1439,

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1443 (9th Cir. 1989) (citations omitted). Official county policy may only be set by an

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official with “final policymaking authority.” Id. (citing Pembaur v. City of Cincinnati,

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475 U.S. 469, 481-83 (1986) (plurality opinion)). To identify those officials with “final

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors

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policymaking authority,” the Court looks to state law. Id. (citing City of St. Louis v.

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Praprotnik, 485 U.S. 112, 126 (1988) (plurality opinion) (quotations omitted)).

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In Arizona, the responsibility of operating jails is placed by law upon the Sheriff,

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not on the county’s Board of Supervisors. See Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-441(A)(5); Ariz.

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Rev. Stat. § 31-101. Therefore, the Board of Supervisors is not liable to Plaintiff under

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§ 1983 because it lacks authority to establish an official policy with respect to the

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operation of the jail. Further, the Board cannot be held liable for the actions of the

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Sheriff or his deputies on a theory of respondeat superior liability. See Thompson, 885

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F.2d at 1443. Accordingly, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and the individual

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members of the Board (Defendants Brock, Stapley, Kunasek, Wilson, and Wilcox) will

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be dismissed.

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B.

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Plaintiff sues the Maricopa County Jails and the Maricopa County Tents Jail.

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However, a jail is not a proper defendant. Claims under § 1983 are directed at “bodies

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politic and corporate.” Monell v. Dep’t of Soc. Servs of New York, 436 U.S. 658, 688-89

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(1978). Under the Civil Rights Act of 1871, Congress intended municipalities and other

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local government units to be included among those persons to whom § 1983 applies. Id.

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at 689-690. Because a jail is neither a corporation nor a body politic, it is not a “person”

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for purposes of § 1983. See, e.g., Petaway v. City of New Haven Police Dep’t, 541 F.

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Supp.2d 504 (D. Conn. 2008); Pahle v. Colebrookdale Tp., 227 F. Supp.2d 361 (E.D. Pa.

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2002). Accordingly, the Maricopa County Jails and the Maricopa County Tents Jail are

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dismissed.

Jails

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Plaintiff sues Commander John Doe at the Maricopa County Tents Jail. “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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C.

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

Commander John Doe

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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

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

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

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

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

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Plaintiff fails to allege any facts regarding Defendant Commander John Doe in his

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Complaint. Plaintiff does not allege that Defendant Commander John Doe directly

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violated Plaintiff’s constitutional rights.

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showing that Defendant Commander John Doe violated Plaintiff’s constitutional rights

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pursuant to a policy, practice, or custom, or that Defendant Commander John Doe

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participated in or directed any violations of Plaintiff’s rights, or knew of any violations of

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Plaintiff’s rights but failed to act to prevent them. Accordingly, Plaintiff fails to state a

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claim against Defendant Commander John Doe, and Defendant Commander John Doe

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will be dismissed.

Moreover, Plaintiff does not allege facts

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D.

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Plaintiff alleges that his Fourth Amendment rights have been violated by a jail

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policy prohibiting felons from visiting inmates at the jail, which Plaintiff alleges is

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discriminatory. The Fourth Amendment provides:

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Count One

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and
seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue,
but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation,
and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the
persons or things to be seized.

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Plaintiff alleges that the jail policy is discriminatory, it appears Plaintiff may have

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intended to assert a Fourteenth Amendment equal protection claim. Generally, “[t]o state

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The Fourth Amendment does not apply to Plaintiff’s claim. However, because

a claim . . . for a violation of the Equal Protection Clause . . . [,] a plaintiff must show that

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the defendants acted with an intent or purpose to discriminate against the plaintiff based

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upon membership in a protected class.” Barren v. Harrington, 152 F.3d 1193, 1194 (9th

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Cir. 1998). Plaintiff has not alleged he is a member of a protected class. Nor are felons a

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protected class. Plaintiff does allege that the jail rule “is prejudice against felons and

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families.” However, Plaintiff may not assert claims on behalf of other individuals. A

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“‘plaintiff generally must assert his own legal rights and interests, and cannot assert the

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legal rights or interests of third parties.’” Mothershed v. Justices of the Supreme Court,

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410 F.3d 602, 610 (9th Cir. 2005) (quoting Warth v. Seldin, 422 U.S. 490, 499 (1975)).

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Moreover, the Supreme Court has held that pretrial detainees do not have a right to

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unfettered visitation. See Block v. Rutherford, 468 U.S. 576, 585-89 (1984) (upholding a

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blanket prohibition on contact visitation for pretrial criminal detainees as reasonably

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related to a legitimate government interest in security). Additionally, the Ninth Circuit

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has squarely held that prisoners have no right to contact visitation. Gerber v. Hickman,

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291 F.3d 617, 621 (9th Cir. 2002); Barnett v. Centoni, 31 F.3d 813, 817 (9th Cir. 1994);

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Toussaint v. McCarthy, 801 F.2d 1080, 1113 (9th Cir. 1986) (“To the extent that denial of

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contact visitation is restrictive and even harsh, it is part of the penalty that criminals pay

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for their offenses against society.”), abrogated in part on other grounds by Sandin v.

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Conner, 515 U.S. 472 (1995).

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E.

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Plaintiff alleges a threat to safety claim in Count Two because he broke two teeth

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on food at the jail that contained pebbles. A claim for threat to safety arises under the

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Fourteenth Amendment as to pretrial detainees and under the Eighth Amendment as to

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convicted inmates. Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 535 and n.16 (1979). Nevertheless, the

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same standards are applied, requiring proof that the defendant acted with deliberate

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indifference. See Frost v. Agnos, 152 F.3d 1124, 1128 (9th Cir. 1998). To state a claim

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under § 1983 for threat to safety, an inmate must allege facts to support that he was

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Accordingly, Count One will be dismissed.

incarcerated under conditions posing a substantial risk of harm and that prison officials

Count Two

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were “deliberately indifferent” to those risks. Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 832-33

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(1994). To adequately allege deliberate indifference, a plaintiff must allege facts to

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support that a defendant knew of, but disregarded, an excessive risk to inmate safety. Id.

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at 837. That is, “the official must both [have been] aware of facts from which the

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inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exist[ed], and he must

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also [have] draw[n] the inference.” Id.

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Plaintiff alleges that the kitchen supervisor is supposed to check the beans for

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pebbles before cooking, but “with deliberate indifference caused a serious medical

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injury” to Plaintiff’s mouth. However, Plaintiff has not alleged facts to support that the

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supervisor or anyone else was aware of the presence of pebbles in Plaintiff’s food or that

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such presence rose to the level of an excessive risk to inmate safety, such as, for example,

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alleging the frequency of inmates being injured from pebbles in the food. Plaintiff also

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has not alleged facts to support that any Defendant knew or should have known that the

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presence of pebbles in the food posed an excessive risk to inmate safety. For these

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reasons, Plaintiff fails to state a constitutional claim for threat to safety, and Count Two

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will be dismissed.

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that he has “lots of pain and suffering.” It appears that Plaintiff may be attempting to

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allege that he has been denied constitutionally adequate medical care. To the extent he is,

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Plaintiff should be aware that not every claim by a prisoner relating to inadequate medical

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treatment states a violation of the Eighth or Fourteenth Amendment. To state a § 1983

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medical claim, a plaintiff must show that the defendants acted with “deliberate

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indifference to serious medical needs.” Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 1091, 1096 (9th Cir.

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2006) (quoting Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976)). A plaintiff must show (1) a

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“serious medical need” by demonstrating that failure to treat the condition could result in

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further significant injury or the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain and (2) the

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defendant’s response was deliberately indifferent. Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096 (quotations

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Plaintiff also alleges that he has been waiting for three weeks to see a dentist, and

omitted).

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

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1051, 1060 (9th Cir. 2004). To act with deliberate indifference, a prison official must

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

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aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious

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harm exists, and he must also draw the inference.” Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837. Deliberate

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indifference in the medical context may be shown by a purposeful act or failure to

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respond to a prisoner’s pain or possible medical need and harm caused by the

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indifference. Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096. Deliberate indifference may also be shown when a

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prison official intentionally denies, delays, or interferes with medical treatment or by the

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way prison doctors respond to the prisoner’s medical needs. Estelle, 429 U.S. at 104-05;

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Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096.

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

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gross negligence will constitute deliberate indifference.” Clement v. California Dep’t of

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Corr., 220 F. Supp. 2d 1098, 1105 (N.D. Cal. 2002); see also Broughton v. Cutter Labs.,

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622 F.2d 458, 460 (9th Cir. 1980) (mere claims of “indifference,” “negligence,” or

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“medical malpractice” do not support a claim under § 1983). “A difference of opinion

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does not amount to deliberate indifference to [a plaintiff’s] serious medical needs.”

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Sanchez v. Vild, 891 F.2d 240, 242 (9th Cir. 1989). A mere delay in medical care,

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without more, is insufficient to state a claim against prison officials for deliberate

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indifference. See Shapley v. Nevada Bd. of State Prison Comm’rs, 766 F.2d 404, 407

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(9th Cir. 1985). The indifference must be substantial. The action must rise to a level of

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“unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain.” Estelle, 429 U.S. at 105. To state a claim

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of deliberate indifference, plaintiffs must meet a two-part test.

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constitutional deprivation must be, objectively, sufficiently serious”; and the “official’s

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

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necessities.” Id. at 834 (internal quotations omitted). Second, the prison official must

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

have a “sufficiently culpable state of mind,” i.e., he must act with “deliberate indifference

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“First, the alleged

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to inmate health or safety.” Id. (internal quotations omitted). In defining “deliberate

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indifference” in this context, the Supreme Court has imposed a subjective test: “the

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official must both be aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a

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substantial risk of serious harm exists, and he must also draw the inference.” Id. at 837

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(emphasis added).

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In this case, Plaintiff has failed to allege sufficient facts to support that any named

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Defendant was deliberately indifferent to a serious medical need.

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V.

Leave to Amend

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

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

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first amended complaint to cure the deficiencies outlined above. The Clerk of Court will

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mail Plaintiff a court-approved form to use for filing a first amended complaint. If

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

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complaint and dismiss this action without further notice to Plaintiff.

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If Plaintiff files an amended complaint, Plaintiff must write short, plain statements

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telling the Court: (1) the constitutional right Plaintiff believes was violated; (2) the name

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of the Defendant who violated the right; (3) exactly what that Defendant did or failed to

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

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

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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 affirmatively link the conduct of each named Defendant with the specific

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

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failure to state a claim.

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Defendants has violated a constitutional right are not acceptable and will be

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dismissed. Plaintiff must also follow all instructions for filing an amended complaint,

Conclusory allegations that a Defendant or group of

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including the instruction that the complaint must be “neatly handwritten.”1

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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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VI.

Warnings

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A.

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

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

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

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comply may result in dismissal of this action.

Release

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B.

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

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

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

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dismissal of this action.

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Address Changes

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The handwriting on Plaintiff’s Complaint is nearly illegible. Failure to follow all
instructions, including the instruction to write neatly, may result in an amended complaint
being stricken or dismissed.
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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:

Possible Dismissal

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(1)

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 18th day of September, 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

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