Dickerson v. Miller County, Arkansas et al

Filing 22

ORDER that 8 Answer to Complaint Referred (42:1983) filed by Dolly Simmons and Linda Rambo also constitutes an answer on behalf of Miller County. The clerk is directed to note on the docket sheet that the answer filed on behalf of Sheriff Rambo al so constitutes an answer on behalf of Miller County. Further, the clerk should note on the docket sheet that Miller County is represented by the same counsel as Sheriff Rambo. Attorney C. Burt Newell and Ralph C. Ohm added for Miller County, Arkansas. Signed by Honorable Barry A. Bryant on September 2, 2009. (cap)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS TEX A RKAN A DIVISION

H EA TH DICKERSON v. Civil No. 4:09-cv-04011

PLAINTIFF

MILLER COUNTY, ARKANSAS; SH ERIFF LINDA RAMBO; JA N ICE NICHOLSON, Warden, Miller County Correctional Center; SG T. DOLLY SIMMONS, Miller County Correctional Center; NURSE TRINA OWENS, Miller County Correctional Center; and NURSE MELODY NELLIE THOMAS, Miller County Correctional Center

D E FE N D A N T S

O R D ER
O n May 12, 2009, an answer (Doc. 8) was filed on behalf of Sheriff Rambo and Dolly Simmons. The answ er does not indicate it was filed on behalf of Miller County. However, under Arkansas law the Sheriff is charge d with the care and custody of County prisoners. See Ark. Code Ann. § 12-41-502 (1987). When the Sheriff is delegated authority, his policies represent County policy and can give rise to governmental liability. See e.g., Pem b a u r v. City of Cincinnati, 475 U.S. 469, 483 n. 12, 106 S. Ct. 1292, 89 L. Ed. 2d 452 (1986). Moreover, a claim against the Sheriff in his official capacity is the equivalent of a claim against Miller County. See e.g., Liebe v. Norton, 157 F.3d 574, 578 (8th Cir. 1998). Thus, the answer filed on behalf of Sheriff Rambo also constitutes an answer on behalf of Miller County. The clerk is directed to note on the docket sheet that the answer filed on behalf of Sheriff Rambo also constitutes an answer on behalf of Miller County. Further, the clerk should note on the docket sheet that M iller County is represented by the same counsel as Sheriff Rambo. If counsel is not going to represent

Miller County, he should so notify the court within ten days by filing a motion to withdraw. IT IS SO ORDERED this 2nd day of September 2009.

/s/ Barry A. Bryant HON. BARRY A. BRYANT UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE