Battey v. State of Nevada

Filing 4

ORDER Granting 3 Second Application for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis. The Clerk of the Court shall file the Complaint. The Complaint is Dismissed without prejudice. Amended Complaint due within 30 days. Signed by Magistrate Judge Carl W. Hoffman on 4/17/2013. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF; CC: FINANCE; CCDC Accounting - SLR)

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1 2 3 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 5 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 WESLEY S. BATTEY, JR., ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) vs. ) ) STATE OF NEVADA, ) ) ) Defendant. ) __________________________________________) Case No. 2:13-cv-00537-MMD-CWH ORDER 13 This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff’s Second Motion/Application to Proceed In Forma 14 Pauperis (#3), filed on April 5, 2013. The Court previously denied without prejudice Plaintiff’s First 15 Motion/Application for failure to file a completed application with information about his expenses. He 16 was given thirty (30) days to file a new application. The Court will now screen his Second 17 Motion/Application. 18 I. 19 In Forma Pauperis Application Plaintiff has submitted the affidavit required by § 1915(a) showing an inability to prepay fees 20 and costs or give security for them. Plaintiff is currently incarcerated and the Financial Certificate 21 submitted along with his Application indicates that his inmate account has a current monthly balance of 22 $0.22, an average monthly balance of $0.22, and an average monthly deposit of $100. See Application 23 #3, 4. Based on the financial information provided, the Court finds that Plaintiff is unable to pay an 24 initial partial filing fee. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s request to proceed in forma pauperis is granted 25 pursuant to § 1915(a). However, even if this action is dismissed, the full filing fee of $350.00 must still 26 be paid pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2), as amended by the Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 27 Plaintiff shall be required to make payments of 20% of the preceding month’s deposits to the prisoner’s 28 account, in months that the account exceeds $10.00, until the full filing fee has been paid for this action. The Court will now review Plaintiff’s Complaint. 1 2 II. Screening the Complaint Upon granting a request to proceed in forma pauperis, a court must additionally screen a 3 complaint pursuant to § 1915(e). Federal courts are given the authority dismiss a case if the action is 4 legally “frivolous or malicious,” fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seeks 5 monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). “To 6 survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state 7 a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009) (internal 8 quotations and citation omitted). When a court dismisses a complaint under § 1915(e), the plaintiff 9 should be given leave to amend the complaint with directions as to curing its deficiencies, unless it is 10 clear from the face of the complaint that the deficiencies could not be cured by amendment. See Cato v. 11 United States, 70 F.3d 1103, 1106 (9th Cir.1995). 12 Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides for dismissal of a complaint for 13 failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Review under Rule 12(b)(6) is essentially a 14 ruling on a question of law. North Star Intern. v. Arizona Corp. Comm'n, 720 F.2d 578, 580 (9th Cir. 15 1983). In considering whether the plaintiff has stated a claim upon which relief can be granted, all 16 material allegations in the complaint are accepted as true and are to be construed in the light most 17 favorable to the plaintiff. Russell v. Landrieu, 621 F.2d 1037, 1039 (9th Cir. 1980). Allegations of a 18 pro se complaint are held to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers. Haines 19 v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972) (per curiam). 20 A. 21 Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332, federal district courts have original jurisdiction over civil actions 22 in diversity cases “where the matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000” and where the 23 matter is between “citizens of different states.” Plaintiff asserts damages of $7,000,000.00 in his 24 complaint. However, the diversity jurisdiction statute requires that to bring a diversity case in federal 25 court against multiple defendants, each plaintiff must be diverse from each defendant. Wisconsin Dep't 26 of Corrections v. Schacht, 524 U.S. 381, 388 (1998). Plaintiff and the Defendants appear to be Nevada 27 citizens so there is no diversity jurisdiction in this case. 28 B. Diversity Jurisdiction Federal Question Jurisdiction 2 1 As a general matter, federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction and possess only that power 2 authorized by the Constitution and statute. See Rasul v. Bush, 542 U.S. 466, 489 (2004). Pursuant to 28 3 U.S.C. § 1331, federal district courts have original jurisdiction over “all civil actions arising under the 4 Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States.” “A case ‘arises under’ federal law either where 5 federal law creates the cause of action or ‘where the vindication of a right under state law necessarily 6 turn[s] on some construction of federal law.’” Republican Party of Guam v. Gutierrez, 277 F.3d 1086, 7 1088-89 (9th Cir. 2002) (quoting Franchise Tax Bd. v. Construction Laborers Vacation Trust, 463 U.S. 8 1, 8-9 (1983)). The presence or absence of federal-question jurisdiction is governed by the “well- 9 pleaded complaint rule.” Caterpillar, Inc. v. Williams, 482 U.S. 386, 392 (1987). Under the well- 10 pleaded complaint rule, “federal jurisdiction exists only when a federal question is presented on the face 11 of the plaintiff’s properly pleaded complaint.” Id. Here, Plaintiff alleges civil rights violations under 12 42 U.S.C. § 1983 based on false arrest and imprisonment in violation of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth 13 Amendments to the United States Constitution. However, because the Court finds that Plaintiff failed 14 to properly bring a claim under Section 1983 (see discussion below), federal question jurisdiction does 15 not exist at this time. 16 C. 17 Upon review of the Complaint, it appears as though Plaintiff is alleging false arrest and false 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Claim 18 imprisonment against the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (“LVMPD”) and malicious 19 prosecution by the District Attorney for the State of Nevada in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983. To state a 20 claim under Section 1983, a plaintiff must allege that a right secured by the Constitution has been 21 violated, and the deprivation was committed by a person acting under color of state law. See, e.g., 22 Gibson v. U.S., 781 F.2d 1334, 1338 (9th Cir.1986); West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988); Long v. 23 County of Los Angeles, 442 F.3d 1178, 1185 (9th Cir.2006). States and state officers sued in their 24 official capacity are not “persons” for the purposes of a section 1983 action, and generally, they may not 25 be sued under the statute. Will v. Mich. Dept. of State Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71 (1989). Section 1983 26 does allow suits against state officers in their individual capacities. Hafer v. Melo, 502 U.S. 21, 26 27 (1991). 28 First, Plaintiff alleges that he was falsely arrested by the LVMPD for a home invasion charge on 3 1 May 15, 2012. “A claim for unlawful arrest is cognizable under § 1983 as a violation of the Fourth 2 Amendment, provided the arrest was without probable cause or other justification.” Dubner v. City & 3 Cnty. of S.F., 266 F.3d 959, 964 (9th Cir. 2001). “Probable cause exists when there is a fair probability 4 or substantial chance of criminal activity.” United States v. Patayan Soriano, 361 F.3d 494, 505 (9th 5 Cir. 2004) (quoting United States v. Bishop, 264 F.3d 919, 924 (9th Cir. 2001)) (internal quotation 6 marks omitted). “It is well-settled that ‘the determination of probable cause is based upon the totality of 7 the circumstances known to the officers at the time of the search.’” Id. (quoting Bishop, 264 F.3d at 8 924). Plaintiff alleges that he was falsely arrested because he was found not guilty after trial. The 9 Court finds that Plaintiff has not provided sufficient facts to determine that the officers lacked probable 10 cause for the arrest. 11 Second, Plaintiff alleges that he was racially profiled by the LVMPD, which would be a 12 violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. In a Section 1983 action related to racial profiling, the Ninth 13 Circuit has held that in examining “whether an officer is entitled to qualified immunity, we must 14 determine whether “[t]aken in the light most favorable to the party asserting the injury, do the facts 15 alleged show the officer's conduct violated a constitutional right?” Anderson v. Bott, 127 F. App'x 266, 16 267 (9th Cir. 2005) (citing Brosseau v. Haugen, 543 U.S. 194 (2004) (quoting Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 17 194, 201, 121 S.Ct. 2151, 150 L.Ed.2d 272 (2001)). Here, Plaintiff does not specify the names of the 18 police officers who performed the arrest nor include facts specific enough to determine how the 19 LVMPD or any of its officers committed racial profiling. Additionally, a governmental agency and 20 state officials when sued in their official capacity for damages are not persons for purposes of Section 21 1983. See Hafer v. Melo, 502 U.S. 21 (1991). Therefore, Plaintiff has not alleged sufficient facts to 22 support a false arrest claim under Section 1983 nor determine that the immunity defense would not 23 apply. 24 Third, it appears as though Plaintiff is alleging a malicious prosecution claim against the Nevada 25 District Attorney. Generally, a malicious prosecution claim is not cognizable under Section 1983 if 26 process is available in the state judicial system to provide a remedy. Usher v. City of Los Angeles, 828 27 F.2d 556, 561 (9th Cir.1987). “[A]n exception exists . . . when a malicious prosecution is conducted 28 with the intent to deprive a person of equal protection of the laws or is otherwise intended to subject a 4 1 person to a denial of constitutional rights.” Bretz v. Kelman, 773 F.2d 1026, 1031 (9th Cir. 1985) (en 2 banc). To proceed on a malicious prosecution claim under section 1983, then, a plaintiff must show he 3 was prosecuted “with malice and without probable cause,” and “for the purpose of denying [him] equal 4 protection or another specific constitutional right.” Freeman v. City of Santa Ana, 68 F.3d 1180, 1189 5 (9th Cir. 1995). Here, Plaintiff failed to provide specific facts to demonstrate that his constitutional 6 rights were violated. Furthermore, had Plaintiff made such a showing, he failed to demonstrate the 7 damage that resulted. A malicious prosecution claim under section 1983 is based on state law elements. 8 Usher, 828 F.2d at 562. Under Nevada law, the elements of a malicious prosecution claim are: “(1) 9 want of probable cause to initiate the prior criminal proceeding; (2) malice; (3) termination of the prior 10 criminal proceedings; and (4) damage.” LaMantia v. Redisi, 38 P.3d 877, 879 (Nev.2002). In 11 conclusion, absent sufficient factual allegations to correct the above-noted subject-matter jurisdiction 12 deficiencies, Plaintiff’s claims cannot survive. As Plaintiff is proceeding pro se, the Court will provide 13 Plaintiff with thirty days to amend the complaint. 14 If Plaintiff elects to proceed in this action by filing an amended complaint, he is informed that 15 the Court cannot refer to a prior pleading in order to make his amended complaint complete. Local 16 Rule 15–1 requires that an amended complaint be complete in itself without reference to any prior 17 pleading. This is because, as a general rule, an amended complaint supersedes the original complaint. 18 See Loux v. Rhay, 375 F.2d 55, 57 (9th Cir. 1967). Once a plaintiff files an amended complaint, the 19 original pleading no longer serves any function in the case. Therefore, in an amended complaint, as in 20 an original complaint, each claim and the involvement of each defendant must be sufficiently alleged. 21 In fact, Plaintiff is reminded that he should specifically identify each defendant to the best of his ability, 22 clarify what constitutional right he believes each defendant has violated, and support each claim with 23 factual allegations about each defendant's actions or failure to act. There can be no liability under 24 Section 1983 unless there is some affirmative link or connection between a defendant’s actions or 25 inaction and the claimed deprivation. See, e.g., Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362 (1976); May v. Enomoto, 26 633 F.2d 164, 167 (9th Cir.1980); Johnson v. Duffy, 588 F.2d 740, 743 (9th Cir.1978). A plaintiff's 27 claims must be set forth in short and plain terms, simply, concisely and directly. See Swierkeiewicz v. 28 Sorema N.A., 534 U.S. 506, 514 (2002); see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 8. 5 1 Based on the foregoing and good cause appearing therefore, 2 IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Second Motion/Application to Proceed In Forma 3 Pauperis (#3) is granted. Plaintiff shall not be required to pre-pay the full filing fee of three hundred 4 fifty dollars ($350.00). However, even if this action is dismissed, the full filing fee of $350.00 must 5 still be paid pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2). 6 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff is permitted to maintain this action to its 7 conclusion without the necessity of prepaying any additional fees or costs or giving security therefor. 8 This Order granting leave to proceed in forma pauperis shall not extend to the issuance of subpoenas at 9 government expense. 10 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2), the Clark County 11 Detention Center shall pay to the Clerk of the United States District Court, District of Nevada, twenty 12 percent of the preceding month’s deposits to Plaintiff’s account (inmate #24292), in the months that the 13 account exceeds $10.00, until the full $350 filing fee has been paid for this action. The Clerk of the 14 Court shall send a copy of this Order to the Finance Division of the Clerk’s Office. If Plaintiff should 15 be transferred and come under the care of the Nevada Department of Prisons, the CCDC Accounting 16 Supervisor is directed to send a copy of this order to the attention of the Chief of Inmate Services for 17 the Nevada Department of Prisons, P.O. Box 7011, Carson City, NV 89702, indicating the amount that 18 Plaintiff has paid toward his filing fee, so that funds may continue to be deducted from Plaintiff's 19 account. The Clerk shall send a copy of this order to the CCDC Accounting Supervisor, 330 S. Casino 20 Center Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89101. 21 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court shall file the Complaint (#1-1). 22 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Complaint is dismissed without prejudice for failure 23 to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, with leave to amend. Plaintiff will have thirty (30) 24 days from the date that this Order is entered to file an Amended Complaint, if he believes he can 25 correct the noted deficiencies. Failure to comply with this Order may result in the Court recommending 26 that this action be dismissed. 27 28 6 1 Dated this 17th day of April, 2013. 2 3 4 5 ___________________________________ C.W. HOFFMAN, JR. UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 7

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