The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
JADEN MONCHE, ) CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:22-CV-1516
Plaintiff )
)
v. )
) (ARBUCKLE, M.J.)
JERRY GRILL et al., )
Defendants )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
I. INTRODUCTION
On September 29, 2022, Jaden Monche (“Plaintiff”) initiated this pro se civil
rights case. (Doc. 1). In his Complaint, Plaintiff names a host of Defendants involved
in his pending criminal proceeding in Pennsylvania state court. Id. Plaintiff attempts
to bring numerous constitutional claims, claims under the Pennsylvania Code, and
claims under the United States code, apparently against all Defendants. Plaintiff is
currently incarcerated at Lackawanna County Prison while he awaits trial.
Plaintiff has been granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Because he is
proceeding in forma pauperis, Plaintiff is subject to the screening provisions in 28
U.S.C. § 1915(e). The screening procedures set forth in the statute apply to in forma
pauperis complaints filed by prisoners and non-prisoners alike.1 Under this statute,
the Court is required to dismiss any action that is frivolous or malicious, fails to state
a claim upon which relief can be granted, or seeks monetary relief against a
1 See Atamian v. Burns, 236 F. App’x 753, 755 (3d Cir. 2007).
defendant who is immune from such relief.2 There is no constitutional right to the
expenditure of public funds and the valuable time of federal courts to prosecute an
action which is totally without merit.3
After reviewing Plaintiff’s Complaint, I conclude that it fails to state a claim
upon which relief may be granted. Although Plaintiff’s Complaint, as written, would
typically be subject to dismissal, I will grant Plaintiff one opportunity to cure the
deficiencies noted herein before making a recommendation to the District Court.4
II. LEGAL STANDARD FOR SCREENING COMPLAINTS FILED IN
FORMA PAUPERIS
This Court has a statutory obligation to conduct a preliminary review of pro
se complaints brought by litigants given leave to proceed in forma pauperis.
Specifically, the Court is obliged to review the complaint in accordance with 28
U.S.C. ' 1915(e)(2), which provides, in pertinent part:
(2) Notwithstanding any filing fee, or any portion thereof, that may
have been paid, the court shall dismiss the case at any time if the court
determines that –
(A) the allegation of poverty is untrue; or
(B) the action or appeal--
(i) is frivolous or malicious;
(ii) fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted; or
2 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).
3 See Collins v. Cundy, 603 F.2d 825, 828 (10th Cir. 1979).
4 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii)
(iii) seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is
immune from such relief.
In performing this mandatory screening function, the Court applies the same
standard that is used to evaluate motions to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which provides that a complaint should be
dismissed for “failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.” Fed. R.
Civ. P. 12(b)(6).
A complaint filed by a pro se litigant is to be liberally construed and
‘“however inartfully pleaded, must be held to less stringent standards than formal
pleadings drafted by lawyers.’”5 Nevertheless, “pro se litigants still must allege
sufficient facts in their complaints to support a claim.”6 Thus, a well-pleaded
complaint must contain more than mere legal labels and conclusions. Even a pro se
complaint must recite factual allegations that are enough to raise the Plaintiff’s
claimed right to relief beyond the level of mere speculation. It must set forth in a
“short and plain” statement of a cause of action.
5 Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007) (quoting Estelle v. Gamble, 429
U.S. 97, 106 (1976)).
6 Mala v. Crown Bay Marina, Inc., 704 F.3d 239, 245 (3d Cir. 2013).
III. BACKGROUND & PROCEDURAL HISTORY
This pro se, in form pauperis action began on September 29, 2022, when
Plaintiff lodged this Complaint. (Doc. 1). Plaintiff lists seven Defendants in this
action:
1. Assistant District Attorney of Lackawanna County Jerry Grill (“Defendant
Grill”);
2. Officer James A. Giehl (“Defendant Giehl”);
3. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (“the Commonwealth”);
4. Lackawanna County Courthouse (“Defendant Courthouse”);
5. Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County (“Defendant Court of
Common Pleas”);
6. Moosic Police Department (“Defendant Police Department”); and
7. Judge Michael J. Barrasse (“Judge Barrasse”).
Plaintiff’s Complaint begins with a page he labels “Introduction” and marks
as “Exhibit 0.” (Doc. 1, p. 6). This “Introduction” alleges that on November 19,
2020, Plaintiff’s mother called an ambulance to her house for Plaintiff, due to
injuries from a car accident he had been in a few days earlier. Id. Both EMS and
Hanover police officers arrived. Id. Plaintiff was asked for identification and gave it
which the officers then used to run “an NCIC” which informed them Plaintiff “was
wanted out of the Borough of Moosic.” Id. Plaintiff “had no idea why I could
possible [sic] be wanted and wanted to straighten this mess up.” Id. Instead of being
taken to the Moosic Police Department, Plaintiff was “transferred on the street to the
custody of 2 Moosic officers” one of whom is Defendant Giehl. Id. Plaintiff was
never handcuffed or read his Miranda rights, nor did he “sign” them. Id. Instead,
Plaintiff was “thrown right into Lackawanna County Jail” and did not know the
charges against him until his arraignment the next day. Id. At his arraignment
Plaintiff learned he was being charged with: “Felony 1 Aggravated Assault – attempt
to cause SBI or extreme indifference, Felony 2 Aggravated Assault – attempt to
cause SBI with a deadly weapon, Felony 3 possession of a firearm by a prohibited
person, Misdemeanor 2 Reckless Endangerment of another person, and
Misdemeanor 2 Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 3 Disorderly Conduct.” Id. Plaintiff
states that he “was never officially arrested or read my Miranda rights just thrown
into Lackawanna County Prison without handcuffs or told why till [sic] the
following morning.” Id.
Plaintiff’s statement of facts begins by describing when, where and on what
dates the events giving rise to his claims occurred. Id. at p. 7. He begins his factual
allegations by saying that his “liberty is being taken from me, my due process rights
are not being properly granted and are being violated all NAMED DEFENDANTS
has [sic] and still are violating multiple of my right(s) and Amendment(s).” Id.
(emphasis in original). Plaintiff complains that he is being falsely imprisoned and
held against his will, that his freedom is being taken “by corrupt government
officials” and that he has been in Lackawanna County Prison for two years. Id.
Plaintiff states he is an innocent Hispanic male who is being taken away from his
family and that he is not getting equal protection of his “Constitutional rights or US
law.” Id. Plaintiff feels he is guilty until proven innocent and reports that he has
written multiple letters to some of the named Defendants “to have my due process
rights properly granted to me.” Id.
Plaintiff then attaches five additional pages titled “Statement of Facts” and
labels this “Exhibit 1.”7 (Doc. 1, p. 8-12). Plaintiff states that he has requested his
“speedy trial (Rule: 600) rights” numerous times but “they still have not.” Id. at p.
8. Plaintiff believes that nothing is being done despite “all the Evidence [sic] I as
well as the Common Wealth [sic], Jerry Grill, Michael Barrasse, and my lawyer
Jillian Kochis have and provided to prove me innocent of all alleged charges and
false accusators [sic] . . . .” Id. Plaintiff complains he is not getting the “equal or
proper protection of law” and that the Commonwealth, Defendants Grill and
Barrasse have failed to use due diligence and bring Plaintiff to trial in a timely
manner in accordance with his right to a speedy trial and have failed to provide
discovery promptly which has resulted in delays. Id. at p. 8-9. Plaintiff alleges none
7 Plaintiff calls the pages “attached” and labels them as “Exhibit 1,” however
these pages appear within Plaintiff’s Complaint. (Doc. 1).
of the Defendants are “handling this matter in Good Faith and clean hands.” Id. at p.
9. Plaintiff states he, his mother, and his Public Defender Jillian Kochis have all the
legal documents pertaining to this matter. Id.
On December 23, 2020, Plaintiff had a preliminary hearing over video. Id.
Plaintiff alleges that at this hearing the Commonwealth and Defendant Grill did not
establish a prima facie case, establish the crime was committed, or provide probable
cause that the crime was committed. Id. The Commonwealth and Defendant Grill
also allegedly allowed the victim to commit perjury and “be lead on while in the
holding cell he was in till [sic] the Judge (Paul Ware) brought it till [sic] attention,”
and did not allow Plaintiff to confront his accuser. Id. Plaintiff states that at this
preliminary hearing the alleged victim said multiple times that he did not know
Plaintiff or what happened and “kept saying over and over “[h]e does not know who
this guy is at all” and stated only reason he showed the cops a picture of my facebook
was because a 3rd [sic] party” who was not present at the scene of the crime sent the
alleged victim a photo of Plaintiff’s facebook. Id. at p. 9-10. Plaintiff alleges that to
this day the victim continues to state that he does not know Plaintiff, that Plaintiff
does not know him and that Plaintiff did not do this. Id. at p. 10.
Plaintiff recaps, saying he is being “randomly picked out” by a third party who
he does not know and was not allowed to confront. Id. Plaintiff believes he should
be allowed to confront this third party since they are his real accuser. Plaintiff
believes he is “falsely imprisoned by the Government” because of “biased wild false
accusations” and that nothing is being done. Id.
On February 5, 2021, Plaintiff had a pre-trial conference via video and “ the
Commonwealth, Jerry Grill and Michael Barrasse failed to go by the pre-trial
conference proceeding rule 421 (Look at Attached page Legal claims) [sic].” Id.
Defendant Grill allegedly informed Plaintiff that he could not provide discovery
because there was no evidence. Id. At this pre-trial conference Defendant Grill did
not provide evidence showing a crime occurred or that the alleged offenses were
committed. Id. Plaintiff alleges that at this conference Judge Barrasse did not note
objections or agreements on the record. Id. at p. 11. Plaintiff states in a separate
bullet point “failed to provide me a discovery or any discovery information” but it
is not clear who Plaintiff is saying failed to provide this information. Id.
Trial was scheduled for April 19, 2021, as no guilty plea was entered, nor,
Plaintiff states, will he ever enter one. Id. Trial did not take place on April 19, 2021,
and the Commonwealth, Defendant Grill and Judge Barrasse did not explain why
trial did not begin as scheduled. Id.
On August 23, 2021, Plaintiff’s Public Defender Jillian Kochis filed an
Omnibus Pre-trial Motion. Id. Plaintiff alleges this motion shows the “facts and
illegal things that is being done to me and to prove me and show me innocent.” Id.
Plaintiff also states the Motion explains how his due process rights were violated by
the Moosic Police Department and how his Sixth Amendment right of confrontation
was violated on December 23, 2020. Id.
Around June 16, 2022, Plaintiff received “a discovery” from his lawyer that
came from the Commonwealth and Defendant Grill, which Plaintiff alleges provides
no evidence that he committed a crime and only contains information about “other
people and there [sic] own different case(s). Nothing dealing with this matter.” Id.
at p. 11-12.
Plaintiff states that on June 27 his second and final pre-trial conference was
scheduled but that he was never called to court.8 Id. at p. 12. Trial was scheduled to
begin on July 11, 2022 but did not. Id.
Plaintiff states that it is now September of 2022 and he does not know what is
going on with his case, he is “left in the dark” while his rights continue to be violated.
Id. Plaintiff alleges that “none of my motions, court date(s) or pretrial and trial dates
are being made public as its suppose [sic] to.” Id. Plaintiff’s family cannot find
anything about his criminal case and when Plaintiff asked the correctional officers
to look in their computer to “see what alleged charges it says” the officers told him
“it doesn’t say anything about this matter at all.” Id. Plaintiff states that “not only
are my right(s) being violated its [sic] being done in the dark so no one will know .
8 Above June 27 Plaintiff writes “(2020),” however the Court believes
Plaintiff meant 2022 as this would be in keeping with the timeline of the case.
. . .” Id. Plaintiff alleges that all seven of the named Defendants “know and have
some type of dealing in this illegal matter that is being done to me.” Id.
Plaintiff attaches several documents to his Complaint. These include
his Omnibus Pre-trial Motion, (Doc. 1-1, p. 1-9), his Brief in Support of his Omnibus
Pre-trial Motion, (Doc. 1-1, p. 10-26), a copy of the transcript of his preliminary
hearing, (Doc. 1-1, p. 27-69), a copy of the photo lineup used to identify him, (Doc.
1-1, p. 70-73), an email between Defendant Grill and Plaintiff’s public defender
Jillian Kochis forwarding an email exchange between Defendant Grill and
Defendant Giehl, (Doc. 1-1, p. 74), a copy of what appears to be a Pre-trial
Scheduling Order, (Doc. 1-1, p. 75), and an Order indicating the final Pre-trial and
trial commencement dates, (Doc. 1-1, p. 76). In particular, Plaintiff directs the
Court’s attention to the Omnibus Pre-trial Motion and Brief in Support and the
transcript of his preliminary hearing multiple times throughout his Complaint.
To the extent that Plaintiff wanted to incorporate any facts or claims in those
documents into this Complaint, he would have needed to write them in his
Complaint. This is so because Plaintiff’s Complaint must comply with Federal Rule
of Civil Procedure 8, the general idea of which is “to “give the defendant fair notice
of what the . . . claim is and the grounds upon which it rests.””9 A complaint must
9 Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 545 (2007) (quoting Conley
v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 47 (1957)).
contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing the pleader is entitled to
relief.”10 The complaint should allow a defendant to “meaningfully answer or plead
to it . . . .”11
Plaintiff’s Omnibus Pre-trial Motion and Brief in Support are criminal court
documents seeking different relief than Plaintiff is requesting here in his civil
action.12 Moreover, Plaintiff does not cite to specific sections in either document,
leaving it up to the Court to go search for his claims. The Court should not have to
do this as they should be stated clearly in his Complaint.13 Additionally, aside from
the reference to the United States Sixth Amendment right to confrontation, (Doc. 1-
1, p.5), it is unclear whether Plaintiff is seeking relief in his Omnibus Pre-trial
Motion under the Pennsylvania Constitution or the United States Constitution, or
both.
Plaintiff brings numerous 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims under the federal
Constitution, as well as claims under the Pennsylvania Code, and the United States
Code. Id. at p. 13-15. These include claims under the Fifth/Fourteenth, Sixth, Eighth,
Ninth, Tenth, and Fourth Amendment. Id. Plaintiff does not state which of his claims
10 Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2).
11Binsack v. Lackawanna Cty. Prison, 438 F. App’x 158, 160 (3d Cir. 2011).
12 Plaintiff’s Omnibus Pre-trial Motion seeks a writ of habeas corpus,
suppression of evidence and the appointment of an investigator. (Doc. 1-1 p. 1-26).
As will be discussed below, Plaintiff cannot seek injunctive relief in a federal court
at this time.
13 Fed. R. Civ. P. 8.
he is bringing against which Defendants. Plaintiff states that all the Defendants know
and have participated in what is happening to him. For the purposes of this screening
order the Court will construe Plaintiff’s Complaint as attempting to bring each of his
claims against each Defendant. Id. at p. 7, 12. Should Plaintiff choose to amend his
Complaint he should clearly state which claim(s) he is bringing against which
Defendant(s).
Plaintiff states multiple injuries. Plaintiff alleges he has mental health
struggles and illnesses such that he had to be put on medication. Id. at p. 16. Plaintiff
states this experience is traumatizing and that he believes “all law enforcement and
government official(s) are out to get me and harm me.” Id. Plaintiff fears for his life
and has PTSD that started after he was in a car accident two weeks before he was
arrested. Id. Plaintiff states during his first week in Lackawanna County Prison he
had to be taken to a hospital to be “re stitched [sic] up.” Id. Plaintiff was “mentally
messed up” and his PTSD was made worse by being incarcerated “right after” the
car accident for something he “did not do or have knowledge about . . . .” Id. Plaintiff
has “a really bad sleeping disorder do [sic] to this whole ordeal.” Id.
Plaintiff seeks several kinds of relief. Plaintiff wants “the Court to order all
Defendant(s) to from here on out handle all matters in good faith and clean hands.”
Id. at p. 17. Plaintiff also requests a restraining order against all named Defendants.
Id. Plaintiff wants his immediate release from Lackawanna County Prison and to
have all charges against him dropped. Id. Plaintiff seeks monetary damages for the
time he has spent in prison, for the violations of his rights, for “stress, depression,
paranoia, PTSD, and pain,” and for being robbed of two years of his life. Id.
IV. ANALYSIS
We begin by outlining Plaintiff’s claims and deficiencies.
a. This Court cannot grant Plaintiff the injunctive relief he is requesting.
b. Staying Plaintiff’s claim for monetary damages in not appropriate.
c. Plaintiff is unable to state a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim against Defendant
Courthouse.
d. Plaintiff is unable to state a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim against Defendant
Court of Common Pleas.
e. Plaintiff is unable to state a claim against the Commonwealth.
f. Plaintiff is unable to state a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim against Judge Barrasse
in his official capacity.
g. Plaintiff cannot state a Sixth Amendment 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Confrontation
Clause claim.
h. Plaintiff cannot state a Sixth Amendment 42 U.S.C. § 1983 speedy trial
claim for monetary damages.
i. Plaintiff cannot state an Eighth Amendment 42 U.S.C. §1983 cruel and
unusual punishment claim.
j. Plaintiff cannot state a Ninth Amendment 42 U.S.C. §1983 claim.
k. Plaintiff cannot state a Tenth Amendment 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim.
l. Plaintiff’s remaining claims are not plead in accordance with Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure 8 or 10.
m. Plaintiff fails to state any 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim against Defendant Police
Department.
n. Plaintiff fails to state any 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim against Defendant Giehl
in his official capacity.
o. Plaintiff fails to state any 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim against Defendant Grill
in his official capacity.
p. Plaintiff fails to state a Fourth Amendment 42 U.S.C. § 1983 false arrest
claim.
q. Plaintiff fails to state a Fourth Amendment 42 U.S.C. § 1983 false
imprisonment claim.
r. Plaintiff fails to state a Sixth Amendment 42 U.S.C. §1983 public trial
claim.
s. Plaintiff fails to state a Fifth or Fourteenth Amendment 42 U.S.C. § 1983
claim.
t. Plaintiff should consider the potential immunity of the remaining
Defendants if he chooses to amend his complaint.
u. Plaintiff fails to state a claim under the Pennsylvania Code.
v. Plaintiff fails to state a claim under the United States Code.
The Court will explain each of these conclusions in turn.
A. THIS COURT CANNOT GRANT PLAINTIFF THE INJUNCTIVE RELIEF HE
REQUESTS
As relief Plaintiff requests this Court “have all charges against [sic] me
dropped and have me immediately released from Lackawanna County Prison.” (Doc.
1, p. 17). To the extent Plaintiff is asking this Court to intervene in his state criminal
case the Court cannot do so and must abstain from interfering with state criminal
proceedings under the Younger doctrine.14 “Abstention under Younger is
appropriate only if (1) there are ongoing state proceedings that are judicial in nature;
(2) the state proceedings implicate important state interests; and (3) the state
proceedings afford an adequate opportunity to raise federal claims.”15
Here there is no question that there are ongoing judicial state proceedings.
Plaintiff is awaiting trial for state criminal charges as he states in his Complaint.
(Doc. 1). State criminal proceedings implicate the important state interest in
enforcing their laws.16 Plaintiff is able to raise federal claims in his state criminal
14 Duran v. Weeks, 399 F. App’x 756, 758 (3d Cir. 2010). See Younger v.
Harris, 401 U.S. 37 (1971).
15 Schall v. Joyce, 885 F.2d 101, 106 (3d. Cir. 1989).
16 Duran, 399 F. App’x at 758.
proceeding.17 Indeed, it appears Plaintiff believes he has raised federal claims during
his state criminal proceeding.18 Thus, Younger applies and this Court must abstain
from interfering with the state criminal proceedings against Plaintiff.19
Plaintiff explicitly seeks his immediate release from Lackawanna County
Prison and to have all charges against him dropped. (Doc. 1, p. 17). This Court
cannot grant him this relief as “to the extent that [Plaintiff] is seeking dismissal of
the charges against him as a result of constitutional violations, he is essentially
asking for relief only available through habeas corpus.”20
17 “Plaintiff has not asserted that he is unable to present his federal claims in
his related state court proceedings. Thus, this Court may assume that the state
procedures will afford an adequate remedy.” Cade v. Newman, 422 F. Supp. 2d 463,
466 n.2 (D.N.J. 2006) (citing Kelm v. Hyatt, 44 F.3d 415, 420 (6th Cir.1995)).
18 Plaintiff attaches to his Complaint a copy of an Omnibus Pre-trial Motion
and his Brief in Support of that Motion that were filed on his behalf (Doc 1-1).
Plaintiff refers the Court to those documents multiple times throughout his
Complaint, saying they show how he is being falsely imprisoned and accused, (Doc.
1, p. 10), show how his speedy trial rights were violated, show how Defendant Police
Department violated his due process rights and show how his Sixth Amendment
right to confrontation was violated (Doc. 1, p. 11). This indicates Plaintiff believes
he was able to raise federal claims during his criminal proceeding through this
Motion.
19 There are exceptions to Younger. As relevant to a state criminal case, “only
in cases of proven harassment or prosecutions undertaken by state officials in bad
faith without hope of obtaining a valid conviction and perhaps in other extraordinary
circumstances where irreparable injury can be shown is federal injunctive relief
against pending state prosecutions appropriate.” Perez v. Ledesma, 401 U.S. 82, 85
(1971). Plaintiff has not “prove[d] harassment” or that his prosecution has been
“undertaken . . . in bad faith.” Id.
20 Duran, 399 F. App’x at 758.
Plaintiff also seeks a restraining order against all the Defendants and an order
of this Court requiring all Defendants to “from here on out handle all matters in good
faith and clean hands.” (Doc. 1, p. 17). The Court cannot grant Plaintiff this relief.
B. THIS COURT MUST DETERMINE WHETHER STAYING PLAINTIFF’S
CLAIMS FOR MONETARY DAMAGES IS APPROPRIATE
In addition to injunctive relief, Plaintiff also seeks monetary damages from all
Defendants. (Doc. 1, p. 17). Where a court “abstain[s] from adjudicating a claim for
injunctive relief, [the court] should stay and not dismiss accompanying claims for
damages . . . when such relief is not available from the ongoing state proceedings.”21
However, a court is not required to stay proceedings where a plaintiff’s claims are
meritless.22 Thus, this Court must analyze Plaintiff’s claims to determine whether
they are with merit, and if they are, this Court must stay these proceedings. For the
reasons explained below, the Court finds Plaintiff’s claims to be meritless and
therefore subject to dismissal.
C. PLAINTIFF CANNOT STATE ANY 42 U.S.C. § 1983 CLAIM AGAINST
DEFENDANT COURTHOUSE
One requirement of any § 1983 claim is that Plaintiff must allege facts that
show the deprivation of his federally protected right was committed by a person
21 Monaghan v. Deakins, 798 F.2d 632, 635 (3d Cir. 1986), aff’d in part,
vacated in part, 484 U.S. 1983, 108 S. Ct. 523, 98 L. Ed. 2d 529 (1988) (citing Crane
v. Fauver, 762 F.2d 325, 328-29 (3d Cir. 1985).
22 Miles v. Zech, 788 Fed. App’x 164, 167 (3d Cir. 2019).
action under color of state law.23 A courthouse, “as a state entity, is not a “person”
under § 1983, and therefore may not be sued thereunder.”24 “Federal civil rights
Claims against a courthouse are not cognizable under § 1983.”25 Thus Plaintiff
cannot state any § 1983 claim against Defendant Courthouse.
D. PLAINTIFF CANNOT STATE ANY 42 U.S.C. § 1983 CLAIM AGAINST
DEFENDANT COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
The Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County is a part of the unified
judicial system of Pennsylvania.26 “All courts in the unified judicial system are a
part of the Commonwealth and are entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity.”27
Therefore Plaintiff cannot state any § 1983 claims against Defendant Court of
Common Pleas.
E. PLAINTIFF’S CLAIMS AGAINST THE COMMONWEALTH ARE BARRED BY
THE 11TH AMENDMENT
Plaintiff attempts to bring numerous claims against the Commonwealth,
however they are barred by the immunity conferred by the Eleventh Amendment.
23 Woloszyn v. Cty. of Lawrence, 396 F.3d 314, 319 (3d Cir. 2005).
24 Devenshire v. Kwidis, Civ. A. No. 15-1026, 2016 WL 4032881, at *3 (W.D.
Pa. June 28, 2016), report and recommendation adopted 2:15cv1026, 2016 WL
4010977 (W.D. Pa. July 27, 2016). See also Elansari v. United States, Civ. No. 3:15-
CV-1461, 2016 WL 4415012, at *5 n.9 (M.D. Pa. July 11, 2016).
25 William-Whitfield v. Commonwealth Leigh Cty. Prison, Civ. A. No. 21-
4544, 2022 WL 657072, at *8 (E.D. Pa. March 4, 2022).
26 42 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 301 (West, 2005).
27 Green v. Domestic Relations Section Ct. Com. Pl. Compliance Unit
Montgomery Cty., 649 F. App’x 178, 181 (3d Cir. 2016).
The Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that
“[t]he Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit
in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the . . . States . . . .”28 By
its terms, the Eleventh Amendment strictly limits the power of federal courts to
entertain cases brought by citizens against the state.
Eleventh Amendment protection, however, is not absolute. A state or state
agency’s sovereign immunity under the Eleventh Amendment may be relinquished
through (1) waiver by a state’s consent to suit against it in federal court and (2) the
abrogation of such immunity by an act of Congress.29 However, neither of these
exceptions are applicable.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has not waived its Eleventh Amendment
immunity by consenting to suit in federal court.30
Plaintiff attempts to bring claims in federal court against the Commonwealth.
Congress has not abrogated States’ immunity under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the
28 U.S. Const. amend. XI.
29 Pennhurst State Sch. & Hosp. v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89, 99 (1984).
30 42 Pa. C.S. § 8521(b) (“Nothing contained in this subchapter shall be
construed to waive the immunity of the Commonwealth from suit in Federal courts
guaranteed by the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution of the United States); 1
Pa. C.S. § 2310 (“the Commonwealth . . . shall continue to enjoy sovereign immunity
and remain immune from suit. . . .”); see also Slavish v. City of Wilkes-Barre, No.
3:17-CV-1468, 2018 WL 5289500 at *9-10 (M.D. Pa. June 14, 2018) (“Although
the Commonwealth has expressly waived its sovereign immunity from suit in state
court in nine specific areas, it has not waived its immunity from being sued in federal
court for any reason.”).
Commonwealth has not otherwise waived its immunity.31 Plaintiff does not suggest
that the Commonwealth’s immunity from suit in federal court as to his attempted
Pennsylvania Code and United States Code claims has been waived or abrogated by
Congress. Therefore, Plaintiff’s claims against the Commonwealth are barred by the
Eleventh Amendment.
F. PLAINTIFF CANNOT STATE ANY 42 U.S.C. § 1983 CLAIM AGAINST JUDGE
BARRASSE IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY
Plaintiff attempts to bring his claims against Judge Barrasse is his official
capacity. “Pursuant to Pennsylvania law, Pennsylvania state courts and their judges
are part of the Commonwealth government.”32 This means that Judge Barrasse is a
state official, and a lawsuit “against state officials in their official capacity [] should
be treated as suits against the State.”33 As discussed above in Section IV(E), the
Eleventh Amendment confers immunity from suit in federal court on the
Commonwealth which has not been abrogated or waived making the
Commonwealth immune from suit. Thus, Plaintiff cannot bring a § 1983 claim
against Judge Barrasse in his official capacity.
31 Phillips v. James, No. 13-1196, 2014 WL 1652914, at *8 (W.D. Pa. Apr.
23, 2014) (“Congress has not expressly abrogated Pennsylvania’s Eleventh
Amendment immunity from civil rights suits for damages . . . .”).
32 Devenshire, 2016 WL 4032881, at *2 (citing 42 PA. CONS. STAT. 102
(2013)).
33 Hafer v. Melo, 502 U.S. 21, 25 (1991).
G. PLAINTIFF CANNOT STATE A SIXTH AMENDMENT 42 U.S.C. § 1983
CONFRONTATION CLAUSE CLAIM AGAINST ANY DEFENDANT
Plaintiff attempts to bring a Sixth Amendment § 1983 Confrontation Clause
claim alleging that he was unable to confront the individual who was actually his
alleged accuser. (Doc. 1, p. 9-10). There is no “federal constitutional right to
confront witnesses at a preliminary hearing.”34 Therefore Plaintiff cannot state a
Sixth Amendment §1983 Confrontation Clause claim against any Defendant.
H. PLAINTIFF CANNOT STATE A SIXTH AMENDMENT 42 U.S.C. § 1983
SPEEDY TRIAL CLAIM FOR MONETARY DAMAGES AGAINST ANY
DEFENDANT
Plaintiff seeks monetary damages against Defendants for the violation of his
Sixth Amendment speedy trial right. However, monetary damages are not an
available remedy for such a claim “as the only remedy for such a violation is
dismissal of any criminal charges.”35 Thus, Plaintiff cannot bring a Sixth
34 Kitcherman v. Lamas, Civ. A. No. 13-6625, 2015 WL 3814539, at *5 (E.D.
Pa. June 18, 2015). See McCray v. State of Ill., 386 U.S. 300, 313-14 (1967)
(concluding Petitioner’s allegation “the State violated the Sixth Amendment by not
producing the informer to testify against the petitioner” was “absolutely devoid of
merit.”).
35 Batch v. Lauricia, No. 2:19-CV-01046-CRE, 2021 WL 4086130, at *8
(W.D. Pa. Aug. 16, 2021), report and recommendation adopted, No. 2:19-CV-
01046-CCW, 2021 WL 4078655 (W.D. Pa. Sept. 8, 2021), aff'd, No. 2:19-CV-
01046-CCW, 2021 WL 4236741 (W.D. Pa. Sept. 17, 2021) (citing United States v.
MacDonald, 435 U.S. 850, 861(1978).
Amendment § 1983 speedy trial claim for monetary damages against any
Defendant.36
I. PLAINTIFF CANNOT STATE AN EIGHTH AMENDMENT 42 U.S.C. § 1983
CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT CLAIM AGAINST ANY DEFENDANT
Plaintiff attempts to bring an Eighth Amendment § 1983 cruel and unusual
punishment claim against Defendants. The Court is unable to determine what it is
exactly that Plaintiff is claiming is cruel and unusual punishment. Regardless of what
Plaintiff may be trying to claim is cruel and unusual punishment, the Eighth
Amendment does not apply until there is a “formal adjudication of guilt . . . .”37
Before such an adjudication “pre-trial detainees . . . are protected by the Due Process
Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.”38 Plaintiff has made it clear that he has not
been brought to trial, nor has there been a guilty plea. (Doc. 1, p. 11-12). Therefore,
he has no Eighth Amendment § 1983 cruel and unusual punishment claim against
any Defendant. Plaintiff does attempt to bring a due process claim which is analyzed
below in Section IV(S).
36 As stated in Section IV(A), this Court cannot order the dismissal of
Plaintiff’s state court criminal charges.
37 Ingraham v. Wright, 430 U.S. 651, 671 n.40 (1977); See Tri Thanh Nguyen
v. Franklin Cty. Sheriffs Dep’t., 512 F. App’x 188, 190 (3d Cir. 2013).
38 Tri Thanh Nguyen, 512 F. App’x at 190.
J. PLAINTIFF CANNOT STATE A NINTH AMENDMENT 42 U.S.C. § 1983
CLAIM AGAINST ANY DEFENDANT
Plaintiff seeks to bring a Ninth Amendment § 1983 claim against Defendants,
however he cannot do so. The Ninth Amendment “by itself does not confer
substantive rights for purposes of §1983.”39 That Amendment does not “secure[]”
any constitutional rights.40 Therefore Plaintiff cannot state a Ninth Amendment
§1983 claim against any Defendant.41
K. PLAINTIFF CANNOT STATE A TENTH AMENDMENT 42 U.S.C. § 1983
CLAIM AGAINST ANY DEFENDANT
Plaintiff attempts to bring a Tenth Amendment § 1983 claim against
Defendants, however he is unable to do so. Like the Ninth Amendment, the Tenth
Amendment “has never been recognized as independently securing any substantive
constitutional rights cognizable in a § 1983 cause of action.”42 Thus, Plaintiff cannot
state a Tenth Amendment § 1983 claim against any Defendant.
39 Soder v. Chenot, Civ. No. 4:CV-06-1522, 2007 WL 4556670, at *4 (M.D.
Pa. Dec. 20, 2007). See also Bervinchak v. E. Hempfield Twp., No. 5:20-cv-05421,
2021 WL 2525561, at *3 (E.D. Pa. June 21, 2021).
40 Charles v. Brown, 495 F. Supp. 862, 864 (N.D. Ala. 1980). See also Soder,
2007 WL 4556670, at *4.
41 Id.
42 Soder, 2007 WL 4556670, at *4 (citing Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791
F.2d 744, 748-49 (9th Cir. 1986)). See also Bervinchak, 2021 WL 2525561, at *3.
L. PLAINTIFF’S REMAINING CLAIMS ARE NOT PLEAD IN ACCORDANCE
WITH FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 8 AND 10
Plaintiff’s remaining claims do not meet the pleading requirements of Federal
Rule of Civil Procedure 8 or the form of pleading requirements of Federal Rule of
Civil Procedure 10.43 The remaining claims include: Fourth Amendment false arrest
and false imprisonment claims, a Fifth/Fourteenth Amendment due process claim
and a Sixth Amendment public trial claim. (Doc. 1).
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(a)(2) states “a pleading that states a claim
for relief must contain: . . . a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the
pleader is entitled to relief.” Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(d)(1) further requires
“each allegation must be simple, concise, and direct.”
As explained, the idea is that Rule 8 requires a complaint “to “give the
defendant fair notice of what the . . . claim is and the grounds upon which it rests.””44
The complaint should allow a defendant to “meaningfully answer or plead to it . . .
.”45 To state a claim, a Plaintiff must plead ““enough facts to raise a reasonable
expectation that discovery will reveal evidence of” the necessary element[s]” and
43 While a pro se plaintiff is entitled to a liberal construction of their pleading,
they are not “excused from complying with the rules of procedural and substantive
law.” Hayden v. Allegheny Health Network, No. 2:21-cv-525, 2022 WL 783430, at
*5 (W.D. Pa. Mar. 15, 2022); see McNeil v. U.S., 508 U.S. 106, 113 (1980).
44 Twombly, 550 U.S. at 545 (quoting Conley 355 U.S. at 47).
45 Binsack, 438 F. App’x at 160.
Plaintiff’s Complaint does not do so.46 The Court will examine these deficiencies in
greater detail in the following sections. If Plaintiff chooses to amend his Complaint,
he must comply with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 10(b) requires a pleading to list “claims or
defenses in numbered paragraphs, each limited as far as practicable to a single set of
circumstances.” The Rule continues, “if doing so would promote clarity, each claim
founded on a separate transaction or occurrence… must be stated in a separate
count….”47 Following Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 10(b)’s mandate of using
“separate counts becomes increasingly important” where, as here, "a plaintiff files
suit against multiple defendants and alleges various claims against each.”48 Should
Plaintiff choose to amend his Complaint, his required compliance with Rule 10(b),
stating each claim in “numbered paragraphs” and limiting each “to a single set of
circumstances,” will make Plaintiff’s Complaint easier to understand and help him
come into compliance with Rule 8.
In bringing his claim into compliance with these Rules, the Court notes for
Plaintiff that generally, there are two fundamental requirements for every § 1983
claim. “Section 1983 imposes civil liability upon any person who, acting under the
46 Phillips, 515 F.3d at 234 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556).
47 Fed. R. Civ. P. 10(b).
48 Carter v. Kane, No. CV 16-7 Erie, 2018 WL 774468, at *2 (W.D. Pa. Feb.
8, 2018) (citing Walker v. Wentz, Civ. Action No. 1:06-CV-2411, 2008 WL 450438,
at *1-7 (M.D. Pa. Feb. 15, 2008)).
color of state law, deprives another individual of any rights, privileges, or
immunities secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States.”49 “It is well
settled that § 1983 does not confer any substantive rights, but merely provides a
method for vindicating federal rights elsewhere conferred.”50 To bring a claim under
§ 1983, a plaintiff must allege facts that show: 1) a deprivation of a federally
protected right, and 2) that this deprivation was committed by a person acting under
color of state law.51
Additionally, a plaintiff must plead personal involvement of each individual
defendant as “individual liability can be imposed only if the state actor played an
“affirmative part” in the alleged misconduct, either through personal direction of or
actual knowledge and acquiescence in the deprivation.”52 It is not enough to state “a
mere hypothesis that an individual defendant had personal knowledge of or
involvement in depriving the plaintiff of his rights,” as that “is insufficient to
establish personal involvement.”53 Many § 1983 claims, for example a Fourth
Amendment false arrest claim, have their own unique elements that must be
49 Shuman v. Penn Manor Sch. Dist., 422 F.3d 141, 146 (3d Cir. 2005).
50 Williams v. Pa. Human Relations Comm’n, 870 F.3d 294, 297 (3d Cir. 2017)
(quoting Hildebrand v. Allegheny Cty., 757 F.3d 99, 104 (3d Cir. 2014) (internal
citations omitted)).
51 Woloszyn, 396 F.3d at 319.
52 Gannaway v. PrimeCare Med., Inc., 150 F. Supp. 3d 511, 527 (E.D. Pa.
2015), aff'd sub nom, Gannaway v. PrimeCare Med., Inc, 652 F. App'x 91 (3d Cir.
2016) (citing Chinchello v. Fenton, 805 F.2d 126, 133 (3d Cir.1986)).
53 Id.
sufficiently plead. The Court will discuss these elements as relevant in the sections
below.
M. PLAINTIFF FAILS TO STATE ANY 42 U.S.C. § 1983 CLAIMS AGAINST
DEFENDANT POLICE DEPARTMENT
It appears that Plaintiff attempts to bring all his remaining § 1983 claims
against Defendant Police Department. (Doc. 1). This Court construes these claims
as municipal liability claims under Monell. If a plaintiff wishes to recover under §
1983 from a municipality they must:
(1) identify a policy or custom that deprived [them] of a federally
protected right,
(2) demonstrate that the municipality, by its deliberate conduct, acted
as the “moving force” behind the alleged deprivation; and
(3) establish a direct causal link between the policy or custom and the
plaintiff's injury.54
A policy “is a statement, ordinance, regulation, or decision officially adopted
and promulgated by a government body's officers.”55 A custom need not be formally
adopted by the municipality but may impose liability where “the relevant practice is
54 Blasi v. Borough of Pen Argyl, Civ. A. No. 14-1354, 2015 WL 4486717, at
*5 (E.D. Pa. July 23, 2015) (citing Bd. Of the Cty. Comm’rs v. Brown, 520 U.S. 397,
404 (1997)).
55 Id. (citing Monell v. Dep’t of Soc. Servs. Of City of New York, 436 U.S. 658,
690 (1978).
so widespread as to have the force of law.”56 A plaintiff is also able to bring a
municipal liability Monell claim “under certain circumstances” where
“constitutional violations result[] from [a municipality’s] failure to train municipal
employees.”57
In this case Plaintiff has plead none of these required elements of a Monell
claim. Plaintiff makes no reference to a policy or custom that works to deprive him
of any of his constitutional rights, nor does Plaintiff allege any failure to train by
Defendant Police Department.58 Therefore Plaintiff fails to state any § 1983 claims
against Defendant Police Department.
N. PLAINTIFF FAILS TO STATE ANY 42 U.S.C. § 1983 CLAIMS AGAINST
DEFENDANT GIEHL IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY
Plaintiff attempts to bring § 1983 claims against Defendant Giehl in his
official capacity. “Official-capacity suits generally represent only another way of
pleading an action against an entity of which an officer is an agent.”59 Defendant
56 Bd. Of Cty. Comm’rs of Bryan Cty., Okla, 520 U.S. at 404 (citing Monell,
436 U.S. at 690-91).
57 City of Canton, Ohio v. Harris, 489 U.S. 378, 380 (1989).
58 In his Complaint, Plaintiff directs the Courts attention to the Omnibus Pre-
trial Motion that was filed on his behalf, stating the Motion and Brief in Support
“shows and tells how Moosic Police Department violated my Due Process Rights.”
(Doc. 1, p. 11). Again, this Court (and Defendants) should not have to search through
Plaintiff’s Omnibus Pre-trial Motion and Brief in Support to find Plaintiff’s claim
and/or facts. They should be clearly stated in his Complaint.
59 Hafer, 502 U.S. at 25 (1991) (quoting Kentucky v. Graham, 473 U.S. 159,
165 (1985), Monell, 436 U.S. at 690 n. 55 (internal quotation marks omitted).
Giehl is a Moosic Police Officer, meaning he is an agent of the Moosic Police
Department. (Doc. 1, p. 6). Suing Defendant Giehl in his official capacity is thus
treated as a suit against the Moosic Police Department. Plaintiff names Moosic
Police Department as a Defendant, and as explained above in Section IV(M),
Plaintiff does not state any § 1983 municipal liability claims against Defendant
Police Department. Therefore Plaintiff fails to state any § 1983 claims against
Defendant Giehl in his official capacity.
O. PLAINTIFF FAILS TO STATE ANY 42 U.S.C. § 1983 CLAIMS AGAINST
DEFENDANT GRILL IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY
Plaintiff attempts to bring § 1983 claims against Defendant Grill in his official
capacity. Again, “official-capacity suits generally represent only another way of
pleading an action against an entity of which an officer is an agent.”60 Defendant
Grill is an Assistant District Attorney for Lackawanna County. In Pennsylvania,
“county prosecutors can have a “dual or hybrid status,””61 and “county . . . law
enforcement officials may be State officials when they prosecute crimes or otherwise
carry out policies established by the State but serve as local policy makers when they
manage or administer their own offices.”62
60 Hafer, 502 U.S. at 25 (quoting Graham, 473 U.S. at 165, Monell, 436 U.S.
at 690 n.55) (internal quotation marks omitted).
61 Carter v. City of Phila., 181 F.3d 339, 353 (3d Cir. 1999) (quoting Coleman
v. Kaye, 87 F.3d 1491, 1499 (3d Cir.1996)).
62 Carter v. City of Phila., 181 F.3d at 352.
If Plaintiff is attempting to sue Defendant Grill for the actions he has taken in
prosecuting Plaintiff, as it appears he does,63 then Defendant Grill would be
considered a state official. Again, a lawsuit “against state officials in their official
capacity [] should be treated as [a] suit[] against the State.”64 As discussed above in
Section IV(E), the Eleventh Amendment confers immunity from suit in federal court
on the Commonwealth. Thus, Plaintiff cannot bring a § 1983 claim against
Defendant Grill in his official capacity for his actions in prosecuting Plaintiff.
If Plaintiff is attempting to sue Defendant Grill for the actions he has taken in
managing or administering his office, Defendant Grill would be a county official.
As explained above, official capacity suits are really brought against the “entity of
which an officer is an agent,”65 which would make Plaintiff’s official capacity suit
against Defendant Grill in his managerial or administrative role, if he has such a role,
a suit against Lackawanna County. As a local government, a county’s municipal
liability for § 1983 purposes is evaluated under Monell.66 The elements of a Monell
claim are described above in Section IV(M). Plaintiff does not plead any facts that
suggest he is suing Defendant Grill for actions taken in any managerial or
63 Plaintiff’s Complaint only discusses actions Defendant Grill has taken in
prosecuting Plaintiff’s state criminal case. (Doc. 1, p. 7-12).
64 Hafer, 502 U.S. at 25.
65 Hafer, 502 U.S. at 25 (1991) (quoting Graham, 473 U.S. at 165;
Monell, 436 U.S. at 690 n. 55 (internal quotation marks omitted).
66 See Parker v. Butler Cty., Pennsylvania, 832 F. App'x 777 (3d Cir. 2020).
administrative role Defendant Grill may have, nor does Plaintiff plead any facts
suggesting Lackawanna County has a policy or custom that caused him
constitutional injury. Therefore Plaintiff fails to state a § 1983 official capacity claim
against Defendant Grill in any managerial or administrative role he may have.
P. PLAINTIFF FAILS TO STATE A FOURTH AMENDMENT 42 U.S.C. § 1983
FALSE ARREST CLAIM
Plaintiff attempts to bring a Fourth Amendment § 1983 false arrest claim. In
addition to pleading deprivation of a federally protected right by a state official
acting under the color of law67 and each Defendant’s personal involvement in that
deprivation,68 “[t]o state a claim for false arrest under the Fourth Amendment, a
plaintiff must establish: (1) that there was an arrest; and (2) that the arrest was made
without probable cause.”69 Plaintiff does not allege sufficient facts against the
remaining Defendants (Defendants Grill, Giehl, and Barrasse in their individual
capacities) to plead a Fourth Amendment § 1983 false arrest claim.
Plaintiff alleges that on November 19, 2020, he was “transferred on the street
to the custody of 2 Moosic officers one would be Officer James Giehl.” (Doc. 1, p.
6). Plaintiff alleges he was never handcuffed or Mirandized but was taken and
“thrown right into Lackawanna County Jail.” Id. Plaintiff explicitly states, “I was
67 Woloszyn, 396 F.3d at 319.
68 Gannaway, 150 F. Supp. 3d at 527 (citing Chinchello, 805 F.2d at 133).
69 James v. City of Wilkes-Barre, 700 F.3d 675, 680 (3d Cir. 2012).
never officially arrested.” Id. A necessary element of a Fourth Amendment § 1983
false arrest claim is that there was an arrest.70 Plaintiff alleges there was never an
arrest.
Even ignoring Plaintiff’s claim that there was no arrest and proceeding as if
there was in fact an arrest, Plaintiff still fails to state this claim. Plaintiff never alleges
that Defendant Giehl did not have probable cause to arrest him. Plaintiff states that
after Hanover police officers ran “an NCIC” on him he was told he “was wanted out
of the Borough of Moosic,” which seems to at least suggest there was a warrant out
for his arrest that came up when his name was run. (Doc. 1, p. 6). If true, this would
indicate a judicial officer found there was probable cause for his arrest Id. Therefore
Plaintiff fails to state a Fourth Amendment § 1983 false arrest claim against
Defendant Giehl in his individual capacity.
As to Defendants Grill and Barrasse in their individual capacities, again
Plaintiff claims he was never arrested. (Doc. 1, p. 6). Proceeding as if there were an
arrest, Plaintiff still alleges no facts suggesting how Defendants Grill and Barrasse
were personally involved in his arrest. They are never mentioned in relation to the
November 19, 2020, events that lead to Plaintiff’s incarceration. Plaintiff thus fails
to state a Fourth Amendment § 1983 claim against Defendants Grill and Barrasse in
their individual capacities.
70 James, 700 F.3d at 680.
Q. PLAINTIFF FAILS TO STATE A FOURTH AMENDMENT 42 U.S.C. § 1983
FALSE IMPRISONMENT CLAIM
Plaintiff attempts to bring a Fourth Amendment § 1983 false imprisonment
claim. “[W]here the police lack probable cause to make an arrest, the arrestee has a
claim under § 1983 for false imprisonment based on a detention pursuant to that
arrest.”71 To make out a claim for false imprisonment, Plaintiff must plead the §
1983 basics: deprivation of a federally protected right by a state official acting under
the color of law72 and each Defendant’s personal involvement in that deprivation.73
Plaintiff also “must establish (1) that [he] was detained; and (2) that the detention
was unlawful.”74
Plaintiff does not allege the §1983 basic requirement of Defendant’s personal
involvement. Plaintiff alleges that he is being “Falsely Imprisoned by The
Government [sic].” (Doc. 1, p. 10). Presumably “The Government” refers to the
government prosecuting him, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a named
Defendant to this suit. Id. However, as discussed above in Section IV(E), the
Commonwealth is immune and Plaintiff cannot bring a claim against the
Commonwealth. Plaintiff states generally that all the named Defendants “has and
71 Groman v. Township of Manalapan, 47 F.3d 628, 636 (3d Cir. 1995). See
Harvard v. Cesnalis, 973 F.3d 190, 202 (3d Cir. 2020).
72 Woloszyn, 396 F.3d at 319.
73 Gannaway, 150 F. Supp. 3d at 527 (citing Chinchello, 805 F.2d at 133).
74 James, 700 F.3d at 682-83. See Cesnalis, 973 F.3d at 202.
are still violating multiple of my right(s) and amendment(s),” Id. at p. 7, and “know
and have some type of dealing in this illegal matter thats [sic] being done to me,” Id.
at p. 12. These are conclusory statements and do not state how each of the remaining
Defendants is personally involved in his alleged false imprisonment. Thus Plaintiff
does not state a Fourth Amendment § 1983 false imprisonment claim.
R. PLAINTIFF FAILS TO STATE A SIXTH AMENDMENT 42 U.S.C. § 1983
PUBLIC TRIAL CLAIM
Plaintiff appears to attempt to bring a Sixth Amendment § 1983 public trial
claim. Again, Plaintiff must plead the deprivation of a federally protected right by a
state official acting under the color of law75 and each Defendant’s personal
involvement in that deprivation.76 To begin with, it is unclear whether Plaintiff is
able to bring a § 1983 public trial claim for monetary damages. If Plaintiff’s Sixth
Amendment public trial right was in fact violated, he “would be entitled to a new
trial.”77 Plaintiff does not point to, nor can the Court find, support for the awarding
of monetary damages for this kind of structural error.
Plaintiff alleges his “motions, court date(s), or pretrial and trial dates,” are not
being made public but does not explain how this is a violation of his right to a public
trial. (Doc. 1, p. 12). The Supreme Court has instructed that “[t]he requirement of a
75 Woloszyn, 396 F.3d at 319.
76 Gannaway, 150 F. Supp. 3d at 527 (citing Chinchello, 805 F.2d at 133).
77 United States v. Lnu, 575 F.3d 298, 305 (3d Cir. 2009) (citing Neder v.
United States, 527 U.S. 1, 8 (1999)).
public trial is satisfied by the opportunity of members of the public and press to
attend the trial and to report what they have observed.”78 Plaintiff has not had a trial
yet. Even assuming the right to a public trial applied to a preliminary hearing,
Plaintiff has not alleged any facts suggesting his preliminary hearing was closed.
Plaintiff additionally does not plead the personal involvement required for §
1983 claims. Plaintiff does not allege any facts showing that the remaining
Defendants are personally involved with the denial of his public trial rights. He
merely alleges that “none of my motions, court date(s), or pretrial and trial dates are
being made public as its [sic] suppose [sic] to.” (Doc. 1, p. 12). Thus, Plaintiff does
not state a Sixth Amendment § 1983 public trial claim against Defendants.
S. PLAINTIFF FAILS TO STATE A FIFTH OR FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT 42
U.S.C. § 1983 DUE PROCESS CLAIM
Plaintiff attempts to state a Fifth Amendment § 1983 due process claim. The
Fifth Amendment “only applies to federal officials.”79 Plaintiff does not bring suit
against any federal officials making the Fifth Amendment inapplicable to his case.
However, given this Court’s duty to liberally construe Plaintiff’s Complaint, I will
construe his claim as being brought under the Fourteenth Amendment, which applies
to state action.80
78 Nixon v. Warner Commc’ns, Inc., 435 U.S. 589, 611 (1978). See Lnu, 575
F.3d at 306.
79 Bergdoll v. City of York, 515 F. App'x 165, 170 (3d Cir. 2013).
80 The standards to evaluate the two claims are essentially the same.
Even doing so, the Court cannot find any allegations that support a Fourteenth
Amendment Due Process claim. In the legal claims section of his Complaint Plaintiff
writes “5th Amendment – due process of law.” (Doc. 1, p. 13). It is unclear how and
when Plaintiff believes he was denied either procedural or substantive due process
outside of the more specific Amendment claims he brings (e.g., Fourth Amendment
false arrest, etc.). “The Supreme Court has held that when government behavior is
governed by a specific constitutional amendment, due process analysis is
inappropriate. . . .”81 Plaintiff’s attempted Eighth Amendment §1983 cruel and
unusual punishment claim would be properly asserted as a due process claim,
however the Court cannot figure out what exactly Plaintiff is complaining of in this
regard, other than the fact that he is currently in prison.82 As the Court cannot identify
what Fourteenth Amendment due process violations Plaintiff is complaining about,
he fails to state a Fourteenth Amendment § 1983 due process claim.
T. DEFENDANTS GRILL, GIEHL, AND BARRASSE MAY BE ENTITLED TO
IMMUNITY FROM SUIT
In deciding whether or how to amend his Complaint, Plaintiff may want to
consider whether the remaining Defendants – Defendants Grill, Giehl, and Barrasse
in their individual capacities – may be entitled to immunity.
81 Berg v. Cty. of Allegheny, 219 F.3d 261, 268-69 (3d Cir. 2000) (citing Cty.
of Sacramento, et al. v. Lewis, 523 U.S. 833, 842-43 (1998)). See also Betts v. New
Castle Youth Dev. Ctr., 621 F.3d 249, 261 (3d Cir. 2010).
82 Tri Thanh Nguyen, 512 F. App’x at 190.
Judge Barrasse would likely qualify for absolute immunity as “[j]udges are
absolutely immune from liability in civil actions, including section 1983 actions, for
their judicial acts.”83 This immunity does not apply to “nonjudicial actions” or
“actions, though judicial in nature, taken in the complete absence of all
jurisdiction.”84
Defendant Grill would likewise almost certainly qualify for absolute
immunity. Prosecutors are entitled to absolute immunity for actions “intimately
associated with the judicial phase of the criminal process,” such as “initiating a
prosecution and [] presenting the State’s case . . . .”85 They are also “entitled to
absolute immunity from claims based on their role in pursuing a prosecution on
behalf of the Commonwealth.”86
Defendant Giehl maybe entitled to qualified immunity. “Qualified immunity
shields federal and state officials from money damages unless a plaintiff pleads facts
showing (1) that the official violated a statutory or constitutional right, and (2) that
the right was “clearly established” at the time of the challenged conduct.”87 As
written, Plaintiff only speaks of Defendant Giehl in the context of his November 19,
83 William-Whitfield, 2022 WL 657072, at *5 (citing Dennis v. Sparks, 449
U.S. 24, 27 (1980).
84 Mireles v. Waco, 502 U.S. 9, 11-12 (1991).
85 Imbler v. Pachtman, 424 U.S. 409, 430-31 (1976).
86 William-Whitfield, 2022 WL 657072, at *7.
87 Ashcroft v. al-Kidd, 563 U.S. 731, 735 (2011) (citing Harlow v.
Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818 (1982).
2020 arrest in his Complaint. Plaintiff does not allege there was no probable cause
for Defendant Giehl to make that arrest and even suggests that there may have been
a warrant out for his arrest. (Doc. 1, p. 6). “[A] a police officer is entitled to qualified
immunity unless it would have been clear to a reasonable officer there was no
probable cause to arrest.”88
U. PLAINTIFF DOES NOT STATE A CLAIM UNDER THE PENNSYLVANIA CODE
Plaintiff attempts to bring claims under four sections of the Pennsylvania
Code: 52 Pa. Code §5.331, 234 Pa. Code § 543, 207 Pa. Code § 421, and 234 Pa.
Code § 570. It is not clear what claims Plaintiff is in fact trying to bring. To the
extent Plaintiff attempts to bring a § 1983 claim under these sections he cannot do
so as § 1983 requires Plaintiff to show the deprivation of a federally protected
right.89 Any rights these sections give Plaintiff would be state rights, not federal
rights.
If Plaintiff is attempting to bring state law claims under these sections, he fails
to point to any cause of action that would afford him damages or any other type of
relief. Two of the sections Plaintiff cites to appear to be irrelevant to his case. 52 Pa.
Code § 5.331 regards Public Utilities and proceedings involving the Public Utility
Commission. 207 Pa. Code § 421 regards proceedings under the Court of Judicial
88 Gilles v. Davis, 427 F.3d 197, 205 (3d Cir. 2005).
89 Woloszyn, 396 F.3d at 319.
Discipline. 234 Pa. Code § 543 and 234 Pa. Code § 570 are Pennsylvania Rules of
Criminal Procedure that are presumably applicable to Plaintiff’s state criminal case.
However, Plaintiff does not identify a cause of action that would make these sections
of the Pennsylvania Code the appropriate vehicle to bring his claims for monetary
damages under. Plaintiff thus fails to state a claim under the Pennsylvania Code.
V. PLAINTIFF DOES NOT STATE A CLAIM UNDER THE UNITED STATES
CODE
Plaintiff appears to attempt to bring claims against all Defendants under seven
sections of the United States Code. However, it is not clear what exactly Plaintiff’s
claims are, in violation of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8. After citing to these
sections in his Complaint he states that the Defendants “are in violation” of the
United States Code. (Doc. 1, p. 15).
As to 18 U.S.C. §§ 3161-3174, Plaintiff fails to identify how these sections
apply to his state criminal case or where they provide a private right of action. These
sections instruct on speedy trials in federal court.90 Plaintiff is being prosecuted in
state court.
90 The sections Plaintiff attempts to bring his claims under fall under Part II –
Criminal Procedure of Title 18. Chapter 201, §3001, General Provisions instructs to
see Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure Rule 1 for the scope. Federal Rule of
Criminal Procedure 1(a)(1) states “these rules govern the procedure in all criminal
proceedings in the United States district courts, the United States court of appeals,
and the Supreme Court of the United States.”
Plaintiff cites to multiple sections of Title 18 of The United States Code, Part
I, the federal criminal code. 18 U.S.C. §§ 1201-1204 detail the crime of Kidnapping.
18 U.S.C. § 241 details the crime of Conspiracy against rights. 18 U.S.C. § 242
details the crime of Deprivation of rights under color of law. Plaintiff attempts to
bring a claim under “18 U.S.C. . . . sec 1501-1521.” (Doc. 1, p. 14). However,
Plaintiff appears to quote language from 18 U.S.C. § 1510 which details the crime
of Obstruction of criminal investigations, with Plaintiff citing § 1510(b)(1) relating
to officers of financial institutions. 18 U.S.C. § 1521 details the crime of Retaliating
against a Federal judge or Federal law enforcement officer by false claim or slander
of title. 18 U.S.C. § 1621 details the crime of Perjury generally. Plaintiff cannot bring
federal criminal charges.91 The non-prosecution of individuals who could potentially
be prosecuted for federal crimes (even crimes committed against Plaintiff) does not
violate Plaintiff’s rights. Plaintiff does not identify a private right of action conferred
by these sections. Therefore, Plaintiff does not state a claim under these sections of
the United States Code.
Plaintiff brings claims under “28 U.S.C. § 1495 – 2513.” (Doc. 1, p. 14). 28
U.S.C. § 1495 provides that “the United States Court of Federal Claims shall have
jurisdiction to render judgment upon any claim for damages by any person unjustly
91 Mikhail v. Kahn, 991 F. Supp. 2d 596, 636-39 (E.D. Pa. 2014), aff'd, 572 F.
App'x 68 (3d Cir. 2014).
convicted of an offense against the United States and imprisoned.” 28 U.S.C. § 2513
lays out the elements and other details for a person suing under 28 U.S.C. § 1495.
To begin with, this Court is not the United States Court of Federal Claims. Moreover,
28 U.S.C. § 1495 requires a conviction of an offense against the United States.
Plaintiff has not been convicted, much less convicted of an offense against the
United States, he is facing state criminal charges. Therefore, Plaintiff may not bring
a claim under 28 U.S.C. § 1495 and § 2513.
To the extent Plaintiff is trying to bring § 1983 claims under any of these
sections of the United States Code, he fails to identify what federally protected rights
these sections of the United State Code give him and how they have been deprived.
Showing the deprivation of a federally protected right is an essential element of a §
1983 claim and Plaintiff does not do so. Thus Plaintiff does not state any claims
under the United States Code.92
Again, the Court notes for Plaintiff that 18 U.S.C. §§ 3161-3174 applies to
federal criminal cases, that he is unable to press federal criminal charges and is
unable to bring a claim under 28 U.S.C. § 1495 and § 2513.
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92 Woloszyn, 396 F.3d at 319.
V. CONCLUSION
As written, Plaintiff’s Complaint fails to state a claim on which relief could
be granted rendering his claims meritless and subject to dismissal. Should Plaintiff
choose to amend his Complaint he must comply with Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure 8 and 10 and plead sufficient facts to give the Court “a reasonable
expectation that discovery will reveal evidence” of all the elements of each claim
against each Defendant he seeks to bring those claims against.93
An appropriate Order will follow.
Date: October 27, 2022 BY THE COURT
s/William I. Arbuckle
William I. Arbuckle
U.S. Magistrate Judge
93 Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556; Phillips, 515 F.3d at 234.