Benton v. Sherlock
Filing
5
MEMORANDUM OPINION by Senior Judge John G. Heyburn II. Upon intital review, the action will be dismissed by separate Order. cc:Plaintiff, pro se; Defendant (ERH)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
AT LOUISVILLE
DAVID LEWIS BENTON, SR.
PLAINTIFF
v.
CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:14CV-468-H
PAULA SHERLOCK
DEFENDANT
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff David Lewis Benton, Sr., filed the instant pro se action proceeding in forma
pauperis. This matter is now before the Court on initial review of the complaint pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 1915(e) and McGore v. Wrigglesworth, 114 F.3d 601 (6th Cir. 1997), overruled on
other grounds by Jones v. Bock, 549 U.S. 199 (2007). For the reasons that follow, the instant
action will be dismissed.
I. SUMMARY OF CLAIMS
Plaintiff filed his complaint on a court-approved form. He sues Paula Sherlock,
identifying her address as “FM Div # 10 – 700 W. Jefferson St.” in Louisville, Kentucky. The
Court will take judicial notice that Paula Sherlock is a Family Court Judge in Jefferson County’s
Tenth Division. As the grounds for filing this case in federal court, Plaintiff states, “Disreguard
to Civil Laws & Discrimination & words Pro Se Litigate[;] 42 USC 1985 & 42 USC 1986[.]”
As his statement of the claim, Plaintiff states as follows:
Paula Sherlock was presented with a attempt of collection case; via Lou Child
Support which the matter had no merit; in the year of 2007 – No lawful exercise
of dismisal, violations was ever imposed for non producing evidence which was
motioned for by the Plaintiff – Subpoenas for bodies which were never present –
Requests for trial & video conferances with the said violated for remedy – Non
action of returning the Plaintiffs Operators License (suspended by Child Supports
Representive. Penny Houchens fees waived – The case was finally dismissed. in
2014.
As relief, Plaintiff seeks an apology and monetary relief.
II. ANALYSIS
Because Plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis, this Court must review the instant
action. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e); McGore, 114 F.3d at 608-09. Upon review, this Court must
dismiss a case at any time if it determines that an action is frivolous or malicious, fails to state a
claim upon which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is
immune from such relief. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).
The Court recognizes that pro se pleadings are to be held to a less stringent standard than
formal pleadings drafted by lawyers. Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519 (1972). The duty to be
less stringent with pro se complaints, however, “does not require [the Court] to conjure up
unpled allegations,” McDonald v. Hall, 610 F.2d 16, 19 (1st Cir. 1979) (citation omitted), and
the Court is not required to create a claim for a pro se plaintiff. Clark v. Nat’l Travelers Life Ins.
Co., 518 F.2d 1167, 1169 (6th Cir. 1975). To command otherwise would require the “courts to
explore exhaustively all potential claims of a pro se plaintiff, [and] would also transform the
district court from its legitimate advisory role to the improper role of an advocate seeking out the
strongest arguments and most successful strategies for a party.” Beaudett v. City of Hampton,
775 F.2d 1274, 1278 (4th Cir. 1985).
Judges are entitled to absolute immunity for actions arising out of all acts performed in
the exercise of their judicial functions. Mitchell v. Forsyth, 472 U.S. 511, 526 (1985). Immunity
extends to complaints arising out of judicial conduct in criminal as well as civil suits. Pierson v.
Ray, 386 U.S. 547, 553-54 (1967). Moreover, the common law immunity of judges applies to
suits alleging deprivations of constitutional rights. Id. A plaintiff may recover damages against
a judge only when the judge has acted in “clear absence of all jurisdiction.” Stump v. Sparkman,
435 U.S. 349, 356-57 (1978) (quoting Bradley v. Fisher, 80 U.S. 335 (1871)). Furthermore,
2
“[a]bsolute immunity is not available if the alleged wrongful conduct was committed pursuant to
a non-judicial act, i.e., one not taken in the judge’s judicial capacity, such as terminating an
employee.” Cameron v. Seitz, 38 F.3d 264, 272 (6th Cir. 1994) (citing Forrester v. White, 484
U.S. 219, 229-30 (1988)).
In the instant case, Plaintiff’s allegations against Defendant Sherlock clearly arise from
her role as the judge in his case before her. Plaintiff does not allege that Defendant Sherlock
acted in the absence of jurisdiction or that his claims arise out of any non-judicial act. Therefore,
Defendant Sherlock’s conduct is protected by judicial immunity, and Plaintiff’s claim against her
will be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.
A separate Order of dismissal will be entered consistent with this Memorandum Opinion.
Date:
November 19, 2014
cc:
Plaintiff, pro se
Defendant
4412.010
3
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?