O'Briant v. Cox et al

Filing 3

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Ellen L. Hollander on 7/31/2018. (kw2s, Deputy Clerk)(c/m 8.1.18)

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FILED "".jl15TRICT INTHE UNITED STATES DISTRICT c;. FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAI ~ '~tT D COU~T Of iii<i1YLANO 1\1 zOla JUL 31 PH 4: 22 PHILLIP O'BRIANT, * Plaintiff * v * SYLVESTER B. COX, Judge, A. BROCKINGTON, Court Clerk, PRO SE ATTORNEY CLINIC ATTORNEYS, * CLER:~'S OFFICE AT BALTI~lORE By DEPUTy Civil Action No. ELH-18-2099 * * *** Defendants MEMORANDUM On July 10, 2018, the self-represented U.S.c. 9 plaintiff, Phillip O'Briant, filed suit under 42 1983 against Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Sylvester B. Cox; A. Brockington, a Clerk of that court; and unknown "Pro Se Clinic Attorneys" who assist self-represented litigants for that court. In his Complaint (ECF 1), supported by exhibits, plaintiff seeks $1.2 million in damages based on alleged violations of his rights under the Due Process Clause of the 5th Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Id. at 5. O'Briant complains that Brockington encouraged him to seek advice from the Pro Se Attorney Clinic before filing a complaint against the Baltimore City Office of Child Support, which had "falsely accused him of not making his court ordered payments." Id. at 6. As a result of that accusation, plaintiff claims his Maryland driver's license was wrongly suspended as of December 2014. Id. The complaint against the Office of Child Support, filed by plaintiff on July 10, 2017, sought money damages for tortious injury due to the improper suspension of driving privileges, based on an allegedly false claim that O'Briant had failed to pay child support. That case was dismissed, without prejudice, by Judge Cox on January 12, 2018, due in part to defects in obtaining service of process on the defendant agency. See 0 'Briant v. Baltimore City Office of Child Support, Case No, 24-C-1700-3632 (Balto. City Cir. Ct.), docket entry 10; ECF I at 8. O'Briant's motion to alter or amend that judgment was denied by Judge Cox on April 18, 2018. Id" docket entry 11/3. Thereafter, on April 30, 2018, O'Briant filed suit against Judge Cox. dismissed on May 17, 2018. See 0 'Briant v. Cox, Case No. 24-C-1800-2698 That case was (Balto. City Cir. Ct.). Discussion O'Briant includes with his Complaint a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. ECF 2. The motion shall be granted. However, the Complaint shall be dismissed. The court is mindful that the pleadings of self-represented construction. litigants are accorded liberal See Gordon v. Leeke, 574 F.2d 1147, 1151 (4th Cir.1978). Therefore, a court is charged with liberally construing a complaint filed by a pro se litigant, in order to allow for the development of a potentially meritorious case. See Hughes v. Rowe, 449 U.S. 5, 9 (1980). But, liberal construction, does not mean a court can ignore a clear failure to allege facts that set forth a cognizable claim. See Weller v. Department of Social Services, 901 F.2d 387 (4th Cir. 1990). Because O'Briant is proceeding in forma pauperis, the Court must screen his complaint. See 28 U.S.C. S 19l5(e)(2) (2012). District courts "shall dismiss" a complaint filed by a self- represented plaintiff if the action "is frivolous or malicious," "fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted," or "seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relie!'." Id" S 1915(e)(2)(B). Any claim against Judge Cox for decisions made in his capacity as a judge is barred by the doctrine of judicial immunity. As the Supreme Court said in Forrester v. White, 484 U.S. 2 219, 226B 27 (1988), Alf judges were personally liable for erroneous decisions, the resulting avalanche of suits, most of them frivolous but vexatious, would provide powerful incentives for judges to avoid rendering decisions likely to provoke such suits. O'Briant disapproves of Judge Cox's dismissal of his state court actions, but provides no factual assertions indicating that the claim would not bc barred by judicial immunity. directly implicates Judge Cox's role as a judge. through ordinary mechanisms His claim Such a claim is one that is "open to correction of review, which are largely free of the harmful side-effects inevitably associated with exposing judges to personal liability." Id. An ordinary mechanism of review was available to plaintilT under Maryland law. O'Briant could have sought review by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. See Md. Code (2013 Repl. Vol.), S 12-301 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article. As to Brockington and the attorney who reviewed plaintiffs that they did not indicate there were problems with his paperwork. pleadings, O'Briant asserts ECF I at 8. He claims they "were aware" that he would not be able to effectuate proper service on the State, and "acted with malicious intent to deprive [him] of his right to due process of law under the 5th Amendment." Id. This contention is not borne out by the docket, which reveals that the case was dismissed wi/hoUl prejudice due to improper service. The docket also reveals other defects in the complaint, as set forth in Judge Cox's denial of reconsideration, including O'Briant's failure to give timely notice to the State Treasurer of his tort claim against the agency, and the State's determination that it would not waive immunity in the matter. Neither Brockington nor a clinic attorney entered an appearance on O'Briant's behalf, and any free advice or review of his pleadings at most constitutes a State negligence claim. Under the "well-pleaded complaint" rule, the facts showing the existence of subject matter 3 jurisdiction "must be affirmatively alleged in the complaint." Pinkley, Inc. v. City of Frederick, 191 F.3d 394, 399 (4th Cir. 1999) (citing McNult v. Gen'l Molors Acceplance Corp., 298 U.S. 178 (1936». In other words, the complaint must contain allegations establishing jurisdiction. Miller v. Brown, 462 F.3d 312, 316 (4th Cir. 2006). "A court is to presume, therefore, that a case lies outside its limited jurisdiction unless and until jurisdiction has been shown to be proper." Uniled Siaies v. Poole, 531 F.3d 263, 274 (4th Cir. 2008) (citing Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins. Co., 511 U.S. 375, 377 (1994)). Moreover, the "burden of establishing jurisdiction is on ... the party asserting jurisdiction." subject matter Robb Evans & Assocs., LLC v. Holibaugh, 609 F.3d 359, 362 (4th Cir. 2010); accord Herlz v. Friends, 599 U.S. 77, 95 (2010); McBurney v. Cuccinelli, 616 F.3d 393,408 (4th Cir. 2010). The State law claim asserted against Brockington and the unnamed clinic attorney does not state a federal claim. But, such a claim may be brought in this court if the requirements for diversity jurisdiction are satisfied. Diversity jurisdiction applies "where the matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and is between ... citizens of different States." 28 U.S.c. S I 332(a)(1). O'Briant, a citizen of Maryland, does not indicate there exists diversity of citizenship with regard to Brockington and the unnamed attorney, both of whom reside in Maryland. Thus, the Complaint fails to establish a basis for invoking this Court's diversity jurisdiction. The Complaint shall be dismissed, without prejudice. An Order follows. Date: 11-?i! J Y .J£IJRA\ Y2. ~ Ellen L. Hollander United States District Judge 4

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