Solomon v. Dawson

Filing 5

MEMORANDUM. Signed by Judge Paul W. Grimm on 7/18/2013. (c/m 7/18/13 rs) (rss, Deputy Clerk)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND * CARGYLE BROWN SOLOMON, Plaintiff * v. CIVIL ACTION NO. PWG-13-1953 * * HERMAN C. DAWSON, Defendant ****** MEMORANDUM Plaintiff brings this self-represented action against Circuit Court for Prince George's County Judge Herman C. Dawson pursuant to 42 U.S.C. S for Leave to Proceed in Forma Pauperis (ECF No.2) shall be granted. 1983. ECF NO.1. Plaintiff's Motion Upon review of the complaint, the Court concludes that it shall be dismissed under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. S 1915(e). See Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319 (1989); see also Denton v. Hernandez, 504 U.S. 25 (1992); Cochran v. Morris, 73 F.3d 1310 (4th Cir. 1996); Nasim v. Warden, 64 F.3d 951 (4th Cir. 1995). The defense of absolute immunity extends to "officials whose special functions or constitutional status requires complete protection from suit." Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 807 (1982). Judges, whether presiding at the state or federal level, are clearly among those officials who are entitled to such immunity. See Stump v. Sparkman, 435 U.S. 349 (1978). Because it is a benefit to the public at large, "whose interest it is that the judges should be at liberty to exercise their functions with independence and without fear of consequences," Pierson v. Ray, 386 U.S. 547, 554 (1967), absolute immunity is necessary so that judges can perform their functions without harassment or intimidation. 1 "Although unfairness and injustice to a litigant may result on occasion, 'it is a general principle of the highest importance to the proper administration of justice that a judicial officer, in exercising the authority vested in him, shall be free to act upon his own convictions, himself.'" without apprehension of personal consequences to Mireles v. Waco, 502 U.S. 9, 10 (1991), quoting Bradley v. Fisher, 13 Wall. 335,20 L. Ed. 646 (1872). Moreover, the law is well-settled that the doctrine of judicial immunity is applicable to actions filed under 42 U.S.C. S 1983. Stump, 435 U.S. at 356. In determining whether a particular judge is immune, inquiry must be made into whether the challenged action was "judicial" and whether at the time the challenged action was taken the judge had subject matter jurisdiction. Stump, 435 U.S. at 356. Unless it can be shown that a judge acted in the "clear absence of all jurisdiction," absolute immunity exists even when the alleged conduct is erroneous, malicious, or in excess of judicial authority. Id. at 356-57. A review of Plaintiffs allegations against the Honorable Herman C. Dawson does not compel the conclusion that the judge acted in clear absence of jurisdiction. Plaintiffs lawsuit is exactly the type of action that the Pierson Court recognized as necessitating the doctrine of judicial immunity. In apparent disagreement with the decisions reached at the state court level, this self-represented litigant has turned to this forum to assert allegations of unconstitutional acts against a state court judge. Because immunity precludes plaintiffs recovery, sua sponte dismissal of Plaintiffs claim is appropriate. A separate Order shall be entered reflecting the ll1812-91) Date Paul W. Grimm United States District Judge 2

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