Williams v. Weber County et al
Filing
36
MEMORANDUM DECISION granting 21 Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Judge Clark Waddoups on 6/17/13. (jmr)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF UTAH
NORTHERN DIVISION
FRANK DONALD WILLIAMS,
MEMORANDUM DECISION
AND ORDER
Plaintiff,
Lead Case No.: 1:11-CV-21 CW
Member Cases: 1:11-CV-30
1:11-CV-33
1:11-CV-34
1:11-CV-37
v.
WEBER COUNTY et al.,
Defendants.
District Judge Clark Waddoups
INTRODUCTION
Plaintiffs in these consolidated cases are individuals who have each been charged with one
or more crimes, qualified as indigent, requested appointment of indigent defense counsel, pled
guilty, and were convicted in Weber County. Plaintiffs sued Weber County and each of the
county commissioners in their official capacities under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, claiming violation of
their Sixth Amendment right to counsel. Plaintiffs’ claims are based on allegations of
inadequate funding for indigent defense in Weber County and failure to train, supervise, and
monitor the criminal defense attorneys who were appointed in their cases. However, Plaintiffs
have not attempted to invalidate their convictions in any prior proceeding, nor have they filed
malpractice suits against the attorneys who allegedly provided them constitutionally deficient
legal representation. Because Plaintiffs are all represented by the same counsel and their
complaints are nearly identical, the cases were consolidated in the interest of judicial economy.
For simplicity, the Court will refer to the Complaint of the lead Plaintiff, Frank Donald Williams
(Docket No. 3), while noting any relevant differences between the member cases as necessary.
Before the Court is Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 21) on all
claims. Defendants assert that the claims of ineffective assistance of counsel in Count I of the
Complaint are barred under Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 114 S. Ct. 2364, 129 L. Ed.2d 383
(1994). Regarding Count II, Defendants argue that Plaintiffs’ claims under the Utah
Constitution are not cognizable because they are identical to those in Count I and Plaintiffs have
adequate alternative remedies at law.
ANALYSIS
I. Summary Judgement Standard
Summary judgment is appropriate “if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as
to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P.
56(a). “One of the principal purposes of the summary judgment rule is to isolate and dispose of
factually unsupported claims or defenses.” Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 324 (1986).
The party moving for summary judgment bears the initial burden of showing “that there is an
absence of evidence to support the non-moving party’s case.” Celotex, 477 U.S. at 325. This
burden may be met merely by identifying portions of the record which show an absence of
evidence to support an essential element of the opposing party’s case. Johnson v. City of
Bountiful, 996 F. Supp 1100, 1102 (D. Utah 1998). Once the moving party satisfies its initial
burden, “the burden then shifts to the nonmoving party to make a showing sufficient to establish
that there is a genuine issue of material fact regarding the existence of [the disputed] element.”
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Id. A fact in dispute is “material” only if it might affect the outcome of the suit under governing
law. Allen v. Muskogee, 119 F.3d 837, 839 (10th Cir. 1997). The dispute is “genuine” if the
evidence is such that it might lead a reasonable jury to return a verdict for the non-moving party.
Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986).
A non-movant who “would bear the burden of persuasion at trial” must “go beyond the
pleadings and ‘set forth specific facts’ that would be admissible in evidence in the event of a trial
from which a rational trier of fact could find for the nonmovant.” Adler v. Wal-Mart Stores, 144
F.3d 664, 671 (10th Cir. 1998). Mere allegations and references to the pleadings will not suffice,
instead, the specific facts put forth by the non-movant “must be identified by reference to an
affidavit, a deposition transcript or a specific exhibit incorporated therein.” Thomas v. Wichita
Coca-Cola Bottling, 968 F.2d 1022, 1024 (10th Cir. 1992). Moreover, “the nonmovant’s
affidavits must be based upon personal knowledge and set forth facts that would be admissible in
evidence; conclusory and self-serving affidavits are not sufficient.” Hall v. Bellmon, 935 F.2d
1106, 1111 (10th Cir. 1991). The court must “examine the factual record and reasonable
inferences therefrom in the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion.” Lopez v.
LeMaster, 172 F.3d 756, 759 (10th Cir. 1999).
II. Material Facts
1. Utah law provides that “each county, city, and town shall provide for the legal defense
of an indigent in criminal cases in the courts and various administrative bodies of the state in
accordance with legal defense standards . . . .” Utah Code Ann. § 77-32-301. (Comp. ¶ 3.)
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2. In 2010, Weber County changed its Public Defender Program from contracting with a
private non-profit corporation to entering into individual contracts with qualified defense
attorneys. Weber County also employs one attorney to coordinate the work and ensure quality
work product among the various attorneys. Work loads are monitored by the Coordinator and he
is responsible to notify Weber County if workloads require additional attorneys. Weber County
further relies upon the professionalism and legal ethics standards of the Utah State Bar and
Weber County to regulate the performance of indigent defense counsel. (Affidavit of Chief
Deputy Attorney David C. Wilson (“Wilson Aff.”) ¶ 3.)
3. Plaintiffs allege that the new system and procedures for funding indigent defense
impedes the provision of adequate legal representation. (Comp. ¶¶ 30-31, 34.)
4. Plaintiffs allege that Weber County and its commissioners provide inadequate funding
for indigent defense services, as partly demonstrated by comparing the budget for indigent
defense with the entire budget of the Weber County Attorney’s Office. (Comp. ¶¶ 7-15.)
5.
Plaintiffs allege that the county commissioner Defendants exercise no supervision,
and have not established or enforced any of the practice standards advanced by various national
organizations, many of which have been adopted by state and local entities across the country.
(Comp. ¶¶ 35-40.)
6. Plaintiffs allege that the county commissioners have not enforced national standards of
professional responsibility with regard to indigent defense counsel conduct. (Comp. ¶¶ 41-45.)
7. Plaintiffs allege that the county commissioners have not trained indigent defense
counsel. (Comp. ¶¶ 46-51.)
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8. Plaintiffs allege that the county commissioners have failed to monitor the workloads of
the indigent defense counsel. (Comp. ¶¶ 52 - 59.)
9. Plaintiffs allege that underfunding has resulted in a failure to adequately compensate
indigent defense counsel. (Comp. ¶¶ 60-64.)
10. Plaintiffs allege that underfunding has resulted in a failure to provide support
services. (Comp. ¶¶ 65-68.)
11. Plaintiffs allege that their attorneys failed to provide competent representation by not
performing the duties commonly expected of indigent defense counsel, however, none of the
Plaintiffs have sued their attorneys for malpractice. Plaintiffs blame the county commissioners
for this alleged failure, asserting that underfunding and lack of supervision, training and
monitoring caused these deficiencies and contributed to their convictions. (Comp. ¶¶ 35-74.)
12. Plaintiffs do not allege that their convictions were reversed, expunged, declared
invalid, or called into question by issuance of a writ of habeas corpus. (Comp. ¶¶ 1-78.)
13. Plaintiff’s have not identified any instance where a Weber County contract attorney
was found to have provided constitutionally deficient legal assistance in representing an indigent
defendant. (Comp. ¶¶ 1-78.)
III. Count I: Section 1983 Claim
Plaintiffs allege in Count I of their Complaints that Defendants failed to provide them
adequate legal representation in violation of their rights under the Sixth and Fourteenth
Amendments. Plaintiffs seek damages for this alleged constitutional violation under 42 U.S.C. §
1983. Defendants’ summary judgment motion asserts that Plaintiff’s § 1983 claims are not
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cognizable because success on those claims would necessarily undermine the validity of
Plaintiffs’ criminal convictions and sentences as prohibited under Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S.
477, 114 S. Ct. 2364, 129 L. Ed.2d 383 (1994).
In Heck, the Supreme Court held that a § 1983 claim is not cognizable if it would render
invalid a plaintiff’s conviction or sentence. Heck, 512 U.S. at 486-87. This rule is known as the
“Heck bar.” See Wallace v. Kato, 549 U.S. 384, 127 S. Ct. 1091, 1098 (2007). The Heck bar
requires a district court to determine–as a jurisdictional matter–whether a plaintiff’s § 1983
claim, if successful, would necessarily imply the invalidity of the plaintiff’s conviction or
sentence. Heck, 512 U.S. at 487. If so, before proceeding under § 1983 the plaintiff must first
overcome the Heck bar by showing that the conviction or sentence has been “reversed on direct
appeal, expunged by executive order, declared invalid by a state tribunal authorized to make
such determination, or called into question by a federal court’s issuance of a writ of habeas
corpus, 28 U.S.C. § 2254.” Id.
The Tenth Circuit has held that in cases subject to the Heck bar, failure to plead the
essential element of a favorable result in the criminal case, either by appeal or in a habeas corpus
proceeding, amounts to failure to state a claim under § 1983. See Davis v. Kan. Dep't of Corr.,
507 F.3d 1246, 1248, 1249 (10th Cir. 2007). The Tenth Circuit has also held that the Heck bar
precludes claims involving pending charges when a judgment in favor of the plaintiff would
necessarily imply the invalidity of any conviction or sentence that might result from the ongoing
prosecution. Beck v. City of Muskogee Police Dep't, 195 F.3d 553, 557 (10th Cir. 1999).
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Plaintiffs’ ineffective assistance of counsel claim necessarily implies the invalidity of their
convictions and sentences. To establish ineffective assistance of counsel a petitioner must prove
in a habeas corpus proceeding that their counsel’s performance fell below a reasonable standard,
and that the petitioner’s rights were actually prejudiced by the substandard performance. See
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 n. 6. (1984). In Strickland, the Supreme Court held
that in order to show prejudice a “[criminal] defendant must show that there is a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have
been different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in
the outcome.” Id. at 694. Because the threshold requirement for showing ineffective assistance
of counsel–sufficient probability of unprofessional conduct to undermine confidence in the
outcome of the criminal proceeding–is inextricably intertwined with the validity of the criminal
conviction and sentence, Plaintiffs cannot possibly prevail on their present claim without directly
undermining the validity of their convictions.
Plaintiffs have not offered any persuasive support for their contention that Heck does not
bar their present claims. Plaintiffs’ bald assertion that their claims are not barred simply because
they are “constitutional claims” does not pass muster. Although Plaintiffs cite cases where Heck
was found not to bar certain constitutional claims, such as claims of excessive police force,
unconstitutional prison conditions, or denial of due process in prison disciplinary proceedings,
those types of claims do not directly implicate the validity of an underlying criminal conviction
as a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel does. Importantly, Plaintiffs have not cited a
single case where a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, or a remotely similar claim, was
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found to be exempt from the Heck bar. Nor have Plaintiffs offered any reasonable theory to
support such a reading of Heck. Plaintiffs’ attempt to recast their claim as merely a “challenge to
procedures” in unpersuasive. (Doc. No. 29 at 21.) Although Plaintiffs contend that they “are not
attacking their convictions,” they admit to “attacking the deficient indigent defense program in
Weber County.” (Id. at 22.) The adequacy of Weber County’s indigent defense program,
however, is directly tied to the validity of Plaintiffs’ convictions. Thus, Plaintiffs cannot show
that they were denied constitutionally sufficient legal representation by Defendants without
directly undermining their convictions or sentences.
Because Plaintiffs’ ineffective assistance of counsel claims are subject to the Heck bar, in
order to state a claim under § 1983 Plaintiffs must plead facts showing that their convictions
have previously been invalidated on direct appeal, expunged, or called into question by issuance
of a writ of habeas corpus. Plaintiff’s have not made such a showing. Thus, the Court concludes
that Count I of Plaintiffs’ Complaint fails to state a claim on which relief can be granted.1
IV. Count II: Utah Constitutional Claims
Count II of Plaintiffs’ Complaint asserts claims of ineffective assistance of counsel under
Article I, Sections 7 and 12 of the Utah Constitution based on the same facts as Count I. Article
I, Section 7 provides, “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due
process of law.” Utah Const. art. I, § 7. Article I, Section 12, states in relevant part, “[I]n
criminal prosecutions the accused shall have the right to appear and defend in person and by
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Because the court does not have jurisdiction under Heck, the Court will not address
Defendants’ alternative argument that it also presents a non-justiciable political question.
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counsel . . . . In no instance shall any accused person, before final judgment, be compelled to
advance money or fees to ensure the rights herein guaranteed.”
Utah Const. art. I, § 12. Thus,
although premised on state law, Count II of the Complaint is essentially identical to Plaintiffs’ §
1983 claim.
In Spackman v. Bd. of Ed. of Box Elder County, 2000 UT 87, 16 P.3d 533 (Utah 2000), the
Utah Supreme Court held that “aside from the Takings Clause, there is no textual constitutional
right to damages for one who suffers a constitutional tort.” Id. ¶ 20, 16 P.3d at 537. The court
further “disavow[ed] any statements in Bott v. Deland, 922 P.2d 732 (Utah 1996), that might
suggest otherwise.” Id. at n. 5, 16 P.3d at 538. Thus, to avoid easily creating judicial remedies
for constitutional violations, Spackman held “that a plaintiff must establish the following three
elements before he or she may proceed with a private suit for damages.” Id. ¶ 22, 16 P.3d at 538.
“First, a plaintiff must establish that he or she suffered a ‘flagrant’ violation of his or her
constitutional rights.” Id. ¶ 23, 16 P.3d at 538. “Second, a plaintiff must establish that existing
remedies do not redress his or her injuries.” Id. ¶ 24, 16 P.3d at 538. “Third, a plaintiff must
establish that equitable relief, such as an injunction, was and is wholly inadequate to protect the
plaintiff's rights or redress his or her injuries.” Id. ¶ 25, 16 P.3d at 539.
Plaintiffs cannot satisfy each of these elements. First, although Plaintiffs assert that
Defendants flagrantly violated Plaintiffs’ rights “by being more concerned about money than a
constitutionally appropriate indigent defense program” (Doc. No. 29 at 23), they do not offer any
admissible evidence to support this assertion. Regarding the second element, Plaintiffs merely
state that “there is no remedy [because] the Defendants still continue to have a deficient
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program.” (Doc. No. 29 at 23.) This assertion, however, overlooks the fact that damages are
available under § 1983 for violations of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel, subject to the
jurisdictional requirements of Heck. The fact that Plaintiffs must first overcome the Heck bar
before filing a § 1983 suit does not mean that no remedy exists to redress Plaintiffs’ injuries.
Moreover, Plaintiffs also have an adequate remedy at law through a state malpractice claim
against their allegedly ineffective counsel. Finally, even assuming that Plaintiffs could satisfy
the first two requirements, the third Spackman element requires Plaintiffs to show that equitable
relief, such as an injunction, was and is wholly inadequate to protect their rights or redress their
injuries. However, Plaintiffs have not shown that they lack equitable remedies such as direct
appeal of their convictions or pursuit of habeas corpus relief.
Because Plaintiffs cannot satisfy each of the Spackman requirements, the Court follows
the lead of other jurisdictions that have refused to create a damages remedy where Congress has
already provided an adequate alternative remedy. Id. ¶ 24, 16 P.3d at 538 (citing United States
Supreme Court cases and cases from other jurisdictions to show that merely suffering a
constitutional violation is not enough to create a damages remedy when a remedy exists under
another area of law). Accordingly, Plaintiffs’ state constitutional claims in Count II of the
Complaint are dismissed.
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ORDER
Based on the foregoing analysis, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
(1) Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 21) is GRANTED; and,
(2) this case is CLOSED.
DATED this 17th day of June, 2013.
BY THE COURT:
____________________________________
CLARK WADDOUPS
United States District Judge
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