SMITH v. RENDELL et al

Filing 5

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION that Complaint filed by JEFFERY QUINDERZ SMITH 3 be dismissed in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii). Objections to R&R due by 1/13/2010. Signed by Judge Gary L. Lancaster on 12/30/09. (mlw)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA JEFFREY Q. SMITH, Plaintiff, v. EDWARD G. RENDELL, and THOMAS CORBETT, JR., Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Civil Action No. 09-1579 Chief Judge Lancaster Magistrate Judge Bissoon

MAGISTRATE JUDGE'S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION I. RECOMMENDATION For the reasons that follow, it is respectfully recommended that this civil action be dismissed in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii). II. REPORT Plaintiff, Jeffrey Q. Smith, is a state prisoner who alleges that his constitutional rights were violated when he was convicted and sentenced for a crime in Pennsylvania when, in his view, Pennsylvania "has no crimes code, or penal provision for facilities" (Doc. 3, p. 2). Smith seeks as relief $130 million, a permanent injunction, immunity, trial by jury and immediate release from custody (Doc. 3, p. 3). Smith brings this suit pursuant to the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and he has been granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis. A. Applicable Law.

Congress has mandated that courts review complaints filed by persons who are proceeding in forma pauperis and to dismiss, at any time, any action that 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 relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).

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In determining whether Plaintiff has stated a claim upon which relief can be granted, the standard of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) is applicable, i.e., dismissal is appropriate under if, reading the complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, and accepting all factual allegations as true, no relief could be granted under any "reasonable reading of the complaint." Phillips v. County of Allegheny, 515 F.3d 224, 233 (3d Cir. 2008). A complaint must be dismissed even if the claim to relief is "conceivable," because a plaintiff must allege "enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face." Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007). A complaint possesses "facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged." Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 1949 (2009). B. Analysis Plaintiff is barred from litigating a claim that his criminal conviction is invalid. A prisoner may not bring a civil rights suit if its success would render invalid a criminal conviction that has not been "reversed on direct appeal, expunged by executive order, declared invalid by a state tribunal ... or called into question by a federal court's issuance of a writ of habeas corpus." Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 487 (1994). Where a Section 1983 claim, "if successful, would have the hypothetical effect of rendering [a] criminal conviction or sentence invalid," then the claim is barred until the conviction is overturned. Gibson v. Superint. of N.J. Dep't of Law & Pub. Safety, 411 F.3d 427, 451-52 (3d Cir. 2005) (cites and quotes omitted). Here, resolution of Smith's claim in his favor would necessarily require a finding that his conviction was invalid, and such a claim is barred by Heck. U.S. , 129 S.Ct. 1937,

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III

CONCLUSION

For the reasons set out in this Report and Recommendation, it is respectfully recommended that this civil action be dismissed in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii). In accordance with the Magistrate's Act, 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(B) and (C), and Rule 72.D.2 of the Local Rules for Magistrates, objections to this Report and Recommendation are due by January 13, 2010. December 30, 2009 s/Cathy Bissoon Cathy Bissoon United States Magistrate Judge

cc: JEFFERY QUINDERZ SMITH FW-0175 SCI Pittsburgh Post Office Box 99901 Pittsburgh, PA 15233

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