Redick III v. County of Tuolumne

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7 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

8 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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10 STANLEY E. REDICK, III, Case No. 1:25-cv-00453-KES-EPG

11 Plaintiff, ORDER DIRECTING CLERK OF COURT TO

ADD “DEFENSE COUNSEL” AS

12 v. DEFENDANT ON THE DOCKET

13 COUNTY OF TUOLUMNE, et al., SCREENING ORDER FOR PLAINTIFF TO:

14 Defendants. (1) FILE A FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT;

OR

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(2) NOTIFY THE COURT THAT HE WANTS

16 TO STAND ON HIS COMPLAINT

17 (ECF No. 1)

18 THIRTY (30) DAY DEADLINE

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Plaintiff Stanley E. Redick, III proceeds pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil action

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filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (ECF Nos. 1, 14). Plaintiff’s complaint, filed on March 21, 2025,

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generally challenges Defendants’ alleged misconduct regarding his past and ongoing state court

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proceedings. (ECF No. 1).

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Upon review of the complaint, the Court concludes that Plaintiff fails to state any

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cognizable claims. Plaintiff now has two options on how to proceed: (1) Plaintiff may file an

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amended complaint, if he believes that additional facts would state cognizable claims, which

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amended complaint the Court will screen in due course; or (2) he may file a notice stating that he

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1 wants to stand on this complaint and have it reviewed by a district judge, in which case the Court

2 will issue findings and recommendations to a district judge consistent with this order.

3 I. SCREENING REQUIREMENT

4 As Plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis, the Court screens the complaint under 28

5 U.S.C. § 1915. (ECF No. 14). This statute requires dismissal of frivolous claims, those that fail to

6 state a cognizable claim, and those seeking monetary relief from immune defendants. 28 U.S.C.

7 § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i)-(iii).

8 A complaint is required to contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that

9 the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Detailed factual allegations are not

10 required, but “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere

11 conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citing Bell

12 Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). A plaintiff must set forth “sufficient

13 factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Id.

14 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570). The mere possibility of misconduct falls short of meeting

15 this plausibility standard. Id. at 679. While a plaintiff’s allegations are taken as true, courts “are

16 not required to indulge unwarranted inferences.” Doe I v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 572 F.3d 677,

17 681 (9th Cir. 2009) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Additionally, a plaintiff’s

18 legal conclusions are not accepted as true. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678.

19 Pleadings of pro se plaintiffs “must be held to less stringent standards than formal

20 pleadings drafted by lawyers.” Hebbe v. Pliler, 627 F.3d 338, 342 (9th Cir. 2010) (holding that

21 pro se complaints should continue to be liberally construed after Iqbal).

22 II. SUMMARY OF PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT

23 Plaintiff lists the following Defendants and allegations against them: (1) County of

24 Tuolumne, which is “[r]esponsible for judicial and prosecutorial oversight, perpetuating

25 unconstitutional practices”; (2) Judge Kevin M. Seibert, a Tuolumne Superior Court judge, who is

26 “actively involved in rulings despite being a named defendant, demonstrating bias and engaging

27 in misconduct”; (3) Laura Craig, who is “[c]urrently a judge, formerly involved as a prosecutor in

28 the malicious prosecution of Plaintiff”; and (4) unnamed “Defense Counsel,”1 who is “willfully

1 The Court will direct the Clerk of Court to add “Defense Counsel” as a defendant on the docket.

1 and knowingly aiding and abiding criminal activity to include gross misconduct violations in the

2 litigation process.” (ECF No. 1, p. 2).2 Plaintiff states that, during discovery, he will identify other

3 “unknown Defendants” that perpetuated misconduct and procedural violations. Thus, the Court

4 understands Plaintiff to also be suing an unidentified number of Doe Defendants.

5 As for supporting facts, Plaintiff states as follows:

6 Judge Kevin M. Seibert has persistently maintained judicial control over Plaintiff’s

case despite being a named defendant, creating an insurmountable conflict of

7 interest and denying Plaintiff’s right to an impartial adjudicator.

8 Despite being disqualified, Judge Seibert continued to issue rulings, including

judgments and orders, ignoring established disqualification procedures and

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violating fundamental due process rights.

10 Plaintiff has faced systemic bias and misconduct since the initiation of his case,

including: Refusal to address motions to compel, effectively stalling due process.

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Defense counsel’s habitual non-appearance without consequence. Judicial

12 reluctance to enforce procedural safeguards, reflecting entrenched misconduct.

13 In 2018, Plaintiff was wrongfully accused of theft, resulting in an unlawful arrest

and a three-day detention despite presenting exculpatory evidence. The arrest and

14 prosecution were driven by Laura Craig, acting without proper investigation or

evidence.

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The County of Tuolumne has continuously obstructed Plaintiff's efforts to seek

16 redress through: Refusal to entertain valid motions, including those to compel and

dismiss. Deliberate delay tactics to exhaust Plaintiff’s resources and stamina.

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Failure to enforce accountability against those engaging in procedural misconduct.

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The systemic corruption and abuse of power within the County are so pervasive

19 that Plaintiff has been systematically deprived of a fair and impartial forum.

(ECF No. 1, pp. 3-4).

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Plaintiff lists three causes of action: (1) violation of his due process rights because,

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“Defendants, acting under color of state law, systematically deprived Plaintiff of his

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constitutional right to due process by ignoring motions, failing to enforce judicial recusal,

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and disregarding exculpatory evidence”; (2) “judicial misconduct and abuse of discretion,”

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because “Judge Seibert’s continued involvement as a defendant and decision-maker directly

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contravenes fundamental judicial ethics and due process requirements” and (3) malicious

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prosecution because “Defendants, including Laura Craig, pursued charges against Plaintiff with

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malice, despite clear and convincing evidence demonstrating Plaintiff’s innocence.” (Id. at 4).

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2 For readability, minor alterations, like correcting misspellings, altering formatting, and changing

capitalization, have been made to some of Plaintiff’s quotations without indicating each change.

1 Plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages, “[a] declaration that the actions of the

2 Defendants violated Plaintiff’s constitutional rights, and an injunction “requiring structural reform

3 to ensure impartial judicial proceedings within Tuolumne County” and “preventing County of

4 Tuolumne from further prosecutorial or judicial misconduct and obstruction of justice.” (Id.).

5 Additionally, Plaintiff has filed a purported declaration in support of his requests for

6 relief. (ECF No. 2).3 Plaintiff provides the following background in his filing:

7 On December 13, 2018, I was wrongfully arrested for the alleged theft at Lowe’s.

This arrest was made based on erroneous identification and without consideration

8 of exculpatory evidence that would have proven my innocence.

9 The charges were ultimately dismissed on November 2, 2020, after a protracted

legal battle, including my filing of a writ of mandate to ensure that the proceedings

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were properly handled.

11 (ECF No. 2, p. 2).

12 III. ANALYSIS OF PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT

13 A. Rule 8(a)

14 As an initial matter, Plaintiff’s complaint fails to comply with Rule 8(a), which requires a

15 complaint to contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled

16 to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Although a complaint is not required to include detailed factual

17 allegations, it must set forth “sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief

18 that is plausible on its face.’” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570). It must

19 also contain “sufficient allegations of underlying facts to give fair notice and to enable the

20 opposing party to defend itself effectively.” Starr v. Baca, 652 F.3d 1202, 1216 (9th Cir. 2011).

21 Moreover, Plaintiff must demonstrate that each named defendant personally participated in the

22 deprivation of his rights. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 676-77.

23 Plaintiff’s complaint is not a short and plain statement of his claims. While the Court

24 understands that Plaintiff disagrees with the handling of his state court litigation, he provides little

25 other information. Instead of asserting facts, Plaintiff’s complaint includes conclusory statements,

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3 The Court notes that the declaration does not comply with 28 U.S.C. § 1746, which provides that a

28 declaration executed within the United States must contain a statement in substantially the following form:

“I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of

America that the foregoing is true and correct.” Here, Plaintiff’s filing does not contain a statement made

under penalty of perjury or attesting to the truth of the contents.

1 such as “defense counsel willfully and knowingly aid[ed] and abid[ed] criminal activity to include

2 gross misconduct violations in the litigation process,” Defendant Craig “pursued charges against

3 [him] with malice,” and “[t]he systemic corruption and abuse of power within the County are so

4 pervasive that Plaintiff has been systematically deprived of a fair and impartial forum.” (ECF No.

5 1, pp. 2, 3-4). Further, as to the Doe Defendants, Plaintiff provides no allegations at all.

6 Accordingly, the Court concludes that Plaintiff’s complaint is subject to dismissal because

7 it fails to provide a short and plain statement of the claim in violation of Federal Rule of Civil

8 Procedure 8.

9 B. Younger Abstention Doctrine

10 Plaintiff’s complaint is also subject to dismissal because it seeks to have this Court

11 intervene in his state court cases, in violation of the Younger abstention doctrine.

12 The Younger abstention doctrine is rooted in the “desire to permit state courts to try state

13 cases free from interference by federal courts.” Younger v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37, 43 (1971). Thus,

14 “[a]bsent extraordinary circumstances, interests of comity and federalism instruct federal courts

15 to abstain from exercising our jurisdiction in certain circumstances when asked to enjoin ongoing

16 state enforcement proceedings.” Page v. King, 932 F.3d 898, 901 (9th Cir. 2019) (alterations,

17 citation, and internal quotation marks omitted).

18 Younger abstention is appropriate when: (1) there is an ongoing state judicial

proceeding; (2) the proceeding implicates important state interests; (3) there is an

19 adequate opportunity in the state proceedings to raise constitutional challenges;

20 and (4) the requested relief seeks to enjoin or has the practical effect of enjoining

the ongoing state judicial proceeding.

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Arevalo v. Hennessy, 882 F.3d 763, 765 (9th Cir. 2018) (alterations, citation, and internal

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quotation marks omitted).

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Typically, dismissal is required for Younger abstention. Aiona v. Judiciary of State of

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Hawaii, 17 F.3d 1244, 1248 (9th Cir. 1994) (holding that, when abstaining under Younger, “a

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district court must dismiss the federal action . . . [and] there is no discretion to grant injunctive

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relief”) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted); see also Gilbertson v. Albright, 381 F.3d

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965, 975 (9th Cir. 2004) (noting in Younger abstention context that “federal courts should also

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refrain from exercising jurisdiction in actions for declaratory relief because declaratory relief has

the same practical impact as injunctive relief on a pending state proceeding as a result of the

1 preclusive effect of the federal court judgment”). But “federal courts should not dismiss actions

2 where damages are at issue; rather, damages actions should be stayed until the state proceedings

3 are completed.” Gilbertson, 381 F.3d at 968. Lastly, “Federal courts will not abstain

4 under Younger in extraordinary circumstances where irreparable injury can be shown.” Page, 932

5 F.3d at 902 (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). “[B]ad faith and harassment” are “the

6 usual prerequisites” to show “the necessary irreparable injury.” Younger, 401 U.S. at 53.

7 Plaintiff’s complaint is subject to dismissal under these legal standards. Although

8 Plaintiff’s complaint provides very little information about the underlying state cases, it is clear

9 that there are ongoing state court civil proceedings being conducted in state court by Judge

10 Seibert. For example, Plaintiff’s complaint states that there is “ongoing misconduct and judicial

11 bias,” with Judge Seibert “persistently maintain[ing] judicial control over Plaintiff’s case despite

12 being a named defendant.” (ECF No. 1, p. 3). The complaint also states that “Judge Seibert’s

13 continued involvement as a defendant and decision-maker directly contravenes fundamental

14 judicial ethics and due process requirements.” (Id. at 4). And in his purported declaration,

15 Plaintiff asks that Judge Seibert be disqualified “from further adjudicating this case.” (ECF No. 2,

16 p. 2). Thus, Plaintiff’s complaint concerns an ongoing state judicial proceeding.

17 Plaintiff’s complaint also implicates important state interests. While Plaintiff provides few

18 details about the nature of the civil proceedings, he repeatedly states that California

19 “disqualification procedures” are at issue. (See, e.g., ECF No. 1, p. 3). Such allegations implicate

20 the state court’s ability to perform its judicial functions, which involve important state interests.

21 See Aaron v. O’Connor, 914 F.3d 1010, 1017 (6th Cir. 2019) (“We conclude that the ability of

22 the courts of the State of Ohio to determine when recusal of a judge or justice is appropriate and

23 to administer the recusal decision process in accordance with state law operates uniquely in

24 furtherance of the state courts’ ability to perform their judicial functions.”) (internal quotation

25 marks and citation omitted); Hart v. Falls, No. CV 22-7282-CJC(E), 2023 WL 12007128, at *4

26 (C.D. Cal. Jan. 18, 2023) (“Plaintiff’s ongoing state court proceeding implicates important state

27 interests, including certain orders ... uniquely in furtherance of the state courts’ ability to perform

28 their judicial functions.”) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).

1 Plaintiff’s state court proceedings also provide an adequate opportunity to raise

2 constitutional challenges. Plaintiff can raise these issues in the state court proceedings, and in any

3 appeal over those proceedings. See Peterson v. Contra Costa Cnty. Superior Ct., No. C03-5534

4 MMC (PR), 2004 WL 443457, at *1 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 2, 2004) (“Plaintiff will be afforded an

5 adequate opportunity to raise his constitutional claims in his criminal trial and on appeal in the

6 California courts.”). Notably, Plaintiff indicates that he filed at least one appeal, although the

7 outcome is unknown, as he complains that Judge Seibert failed “to halt proceedings while an

8 appellate review was pending.” (ECF No. 2, p. 2).

9 Finally, Plaintiff’s complaint seeks to enjoin or has the practical effect of enjoining the

10 ongoing state judicial proceeding. Plaintiff’s complaint specifically requests “[a]n injunction

11 preventing . . . further . . . judicial misconduct and obstruction of justice.” (ECF No. 1, p. 4). And

12 his purported declaration requests a “stay of all proceedings before the trial court, including any

13 further hearings, motions, or rulings, pending resolution of the writ of mandate and other

14 appellate reviews.” (ECF No. 2, p. 3). Thus, Plaintiff’s requested relief would have the practical

15 effect of enjoining the state proceedings. See Jennings v. Leach, No. EDCV 21-00209 JVS

16 (PVC), 2021 WL 12140262, at *2 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 9, 2021) (“Furthermore, a finding in favor of

17 Plaintiff on his claims, including, but not limited to, his false arrest claim, would have the

18 practical effect of enjoining the ongoing state judicial proceeding.) (internal quotation marks

19 omitted).

20 Lastly, there are no extraordinary circumstances indicating that Plaintiff will face

21 irreparable injury unless this Court intervenes. While Plaintiff asserts a variety of misconduct in

22 his state court litigation, including Judge Seibert allegedly being biased against him, he provides

23 no developed allegations to support such claims.

24 Plaintiff’s complaint is thus subject to dismissal under the Younger abstention doctrine.

25 C. Improper Defendants

26 Plaintiff’s complaint is also subject to dismissal to the extent it seeks to sue persons under

27 the Civil Rights Act who are either not acting under color of state law or are subject to immunity.

28 The Civil Rights Act under which this action was filed provides as follows:

Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or

usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to

1 be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the

jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities

2 secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an

action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress . . . .

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42 U.S.C. § 1983. “[Section] 1983 ‘is not itself a source of substantive rights,’ but merely

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provides ‘a method for vindicating federal rights elsewhere conferred.’” Graham v. Connor, 490

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U.S. 386, 393-94 (1989) (quoting Baker v. McCollan, 443 U.S. 137, 144 n.3 (1979)); see also

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Chapman v. Houston Welfare Rights Org., 441 U.S. 600, 618 (1979); Hall v. City of Los Angeles,

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697 F.3d 1059, 1068 (9th Cir. 2012); Crowley v. Nevada, 678 F.3d 730, 734 (9th Cir.

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2012); Anderson v. Warner, 451 F.3d 1063, 1067 (9th Cir. 2006). To state a claim under § 1983,

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a plaintiff must allege that (1) the defendant acted under color of state law, and (2) the defendant

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deprived him of rights secured by the Constitution or federal law. Long v. County of Los Angeles,

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442 F.3d 1178, 1185 (9th Cir. 2006); see also Marsh v. County of San Diego, 680 F.3d 1148,

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1158 (9th Cir. 2012) (discussing “under color of state law”).

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Based on these legal standards, it appears that Plaintiff’s claims against his defense

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counsel are subject to dismissal. As a general matter, neither a public defender nor a private

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attorney act under color of law when performing legal services. Polk Cnty. v. Dodson, 454 U.S.

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312, 325 (1981) (“[A] public defender does not act under color of state law when performing a

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lawyer’s traditional functions as counsel to a defendant in a criminal proceeding.”); Campbell v.

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Geragos, No. 1:10-CV-02231-LJO-GBC (PC), 2010 WL 5244677, at *1 (E.D. Cal. Dec. 9,

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2010), report and recommendation adopted, 2011 WL 300159 (E.D. Cal. Jan. 27, 2011)

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(concluding that allegations against private attorneys did not implicate color-of-law requirement).

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Thus, Plaintiff cannot sue his defense counsel under the Civil Rights Act.

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However, there is a limited exception: “an otherwise private person acts under color of

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state law when engaged in a conspiracy with state officials to deprive another of federal rights.”

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Tower v. Glover, 467 U.S. 914, 920 (1984) (internal citation and quotation marks omitted). To

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state a conspiracy claim, a plaintiff must allege “(1) the existence of an express or implied

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agreement among the defendant . . . to deprive him of his constitutional rights, and (2) an actual

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deprivation of those rights resulting from that agreement.” Ting v. United States, 927 F.2d 1504,

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1512 (9th Cir. 1991); United Steelworkers of Am. v. Phelps Dodge Corp., 865 F.2d 1539, 1540–

41 (9th Cir. 1989) (“To prove a conspiracy between the state and private parties under section

1 1983, [a plaintiff] must show an agreement or meeting of the minds’ to violate constitutional

2 rights”; further, “each participant in the conspiracy need not know the exact details of the plan,

3 but each participant must at least share the common objective of the conspiracy.”) (internal

4 citation and quotation marks omitted). “[C]onclusory allegations” are insufficient to support a

5 conspiracy claim; rather, “[t]o state a claim for a conspiracy to violate one’s constitutional rights

6 under section 1983, the plaintiff must state specific facts to support the existence of the claimed

7 conspiracy.” Burns v. Cnty. of King, 883 F.2d 819, 821 (9th Cir. 1989).

8 Plaintiff offers no specific facts here to show a conspiracy between “Defense Counsel”

9 and any other Defendant in his state court litigation. See Lacey, 693 F.3d at 937 (“The conclusory

10 conspiracy allegations in the original complaint do not define the scope of any conspiracy

11 involving Thomas, what role he had, or when or how the conspiracy operated.”). Accordingly, his

12 allegations are insufficient to state any conspiracy claim, which likewise means that there is no

13 basis to conclude that “Defense Counsel” is a state actor. Brown v. Duran, No. CIV S-11-0930

14 WBS, 2011 WL 4088697, at *2 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 13, 2011) (“Plaintiff’s vague allegation that a

15 state court judge he names ‘either conspired with my public defender or conspired to cover up his

16 actions....’ (SAC, p. 6), however, simply does not make a colorable showing of the requisite

17 conspiracy that would serve to transmute the defendants into state actors who may be sued under

18 § 1983.”). Thus, Plaintiff’s claims against his defense are subject to dismissal.

19 Additionally, Plaintiff’s claims against Judge Seibert and Prosecutor Craig are barred by

20 judicial and prosecutorial immunity.

21 “It has long been established that judges are absolutely immune from liability for acts

22 done by them in the exercise of their judicial functions.” Miller v. Davis, 521 F.3d 1142, 1145

23 (9th Cir. 2008) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). With exceptions noted below,

24 judicial immunity applies in this § 1983 action regardless of whether monetary damages,

25 declaratory relief, or injunctive relief is sought. See Mireles v. Waco, 502 U.S. 9, 9 (1991) (“A

26 long line of this Court’s precedents acknowledges that, generally, a judge is immune from a suit

27 for money damages.”); Boutros v. Tan, No. 2:13-CV-1306-MCE-CMK, 2013 WL 12073446, at

28 *4 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 6, 2013), report and recommendation adopted, No. 2:13-CV-1306-MCE-

CMK, 2013 WL 12073223 (E.D. Cal. Oct. 9, 2013) (“This judicial immunity has been extended

1 beyond liability for damages, to include injunctive relief and declaratory relief arising from their

2 judicial acts performed in their judicial capacity.”); 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (noting that “in any action

3 brought against a judicial officer for an act or omission taken in such officer’s judicial capacity,

4 injunctive relief shall not be granted unless a declaratory decree was violated or declaratory relief

5 was unavailable”).

6 Judicial immunity is overcome in only two circumstances:

7 First, a judge is not immune from liability for nonjudicial actions, i.e., actions not

taken in the judge’s judicial capacity. Forrester v. White, 484 U.S., at 227–229,

8 108 S.Ct., at 544–545; Stump v. Sparkman, 435 U.S., at 360, 98 S.Ct., at 1106.

9 Second, a judge is not immune for actions, though judicial in nature, taken in the

complete absence of all jurisdiction. Id., at 356–357, 98 S.Ct., at 1104–1105;

10 Bradley v. Fisher, 13 Wall., at 351.

11 Mireles v. Waco, 502 U.S. 9, 11-12 (1991

12 Moreover, “[p]rosecutorial immunity has developed along much the same lines as judicial

13 immunity. Immunity extends to protect a prosecutor who acts within his or her authority and in a

14 quasi-judicial capacity.” Ashelman v. Pope, 793 F.2d 1072, 1076 (9th Cir. 1986). And “[w]here a

15 prosecutor acts as an advocate in initiating a prosecution and in presenting the state’s case,

16 absolute immunity applies.” Id. (internal citations and quotation marks omitted).

17 Plaintiff’s claims against Judge Seibert are thus subject to immunity. Plaintiff alleges that

18 Judge Seibert has violated Plaintiff’s civil rights by “acting as a Defendant ruling on his own

19 case, to include violating procedural and Federal Laws against the Plaintiff egregiously outside

20 the scope of his Judicial Immunity.” (ECF No. 1, p. 3). In his purported declaration, Plaintiff also

21 complains about Judge Seibert not halting proceedings while Plaintiff filed an appeal, stating that

22 “the trial court [was] divested of jurisdiction over the case until the appellate court renders a

23 ruling.” (ECF No. 2, p. 2). However, “absolute judicial immunity protects judges’ decisions to

24 appoint or disqualify judges in particular cases.” Hart, 2023 WL 12007128, at *3; Shutt v.

25 McVittie, 225 F.3d 663, 2000 WL 735166 (9th Cir. 2000) (noting that, even if allegations of

26 judicial bias and misconduct were true, they would “not deprive a judge of absolute immunity”).

27 Further, to the extent that Plaintiff seeks injunctive relief against Judge Seibert, § 1983

28 permits injunctive relief against judicial officers only if “a declaratory decree was violated or

declaratory relief was unavailable.” Plaintiff does not allege that a declaratory decree was

1 violated, and there is no indication that “declaratory relief”—which in this context means the

2 ability to appeal—was or is unavailable. Weldon v. Kapetan, No. 1:17-CV-01536-LJO-SKO,

3 2018 WL 2127060, at *4 (E.D. Cal. May 9, 2018) (“Because declaratory relief (i.e., the ability to

4 appeal) was available to Plaintiff, injunctive relief under § 1983 against Judge Kapetan for actions

5 taken in his judicial capacity is not available . . . .”).

6 Turning to Prosecutor Craig, Plaintiff states that his “arrest and prosecution were driven

7 by Laura Craig, acting without proper investigation or evidence.” (ECF No. 1, p. 3). Elsewhere,

8 he accuses her of “malicious prosecution.” (Id. at 2). However, even if true, Craig would still be

9 entitled to immunity. See Milstein v. Cooley, 257 F.3d 1004, 1008 (9th Cir. 2001) (noting that

10 prosecutorial “immunity covers the knowing use of false testimony at trial, the suppression of

11 exculpatory evidence, and malicious prosecution”); Ashelman, 793 F.2d at 1078 (“We therefore

12 hold that a conspiracy between judge and prosecutor to predetermine the outcome of a judicial

13 proceeding, while clearly improper, nevertheless does not pierce the immunity extended to judges

14 and prosecutors.”).

15 The Court notes that “[p[rosecutorial immunity generally does not bar claims for

16 declaratory and injunctive relief.” Middleton v. Santa Barbara Police Dep’t, No. CV 15-09818-

17 SVW (AGR), 2016 WL 6902098, at *8 n.10 (C.D. Cal. July 11, 2016), report and

18 recommendation adopted, 2016 WL 6902462 (C.D. Cal. Nov. 22, 2016). However, as Plaintiff

19 acknowledges, his criminal charges were dismissed in 2020. (ECF No. 2, p. 2). “Since [Plaintiff’s

20 criminal proceedings are over, . . . the equitable relief sought is no longer available.” Ashelman,

21 793 F.2d at 1075; see Fenters v. Yosemite Chevron, No. CV-F-05-1630 OWW/DLB, 2006 WL

22 2016536, at *10 (E.D. Cal. July 17, 2006) (dismissing claim for declaratory relief regarding

23 constitutionality of prosecution where “Plaintiff ha[d] not alleged any pending prosecution”);

24 Fitzpatrick v. Gates, No. CV0004191GAFAJWX, 2001 WL 630534, at *5 (C.D. Cal. Apr. 18,

25 2001) (“Where a plaintiff seeks damages or relief for an alleged constitutional injury that has

26 already occurred declaratory relief generally is inappropriate.”).

27 In short, Judge Seibert and Prosecutor Craig are immune from the relief that Plaintiff

28 seeks in this case.

1 IV. CONCLUSION AND ORDER

2 The Court has screened Plaintiff’s complaint and concludes that he fails to state any

3 cognizable claims.

4 Under Rule 15(a)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, “the court should freely give

5 leave [to amend] when justice so requires.” Thus, the Court will provide Plaintiff with thirty days

6 to file an amended complaint curing the deficiencies identified above. Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d

7 1122, 1126-30 (9th Cir. 2000). If Plaintiff chooses to file an amended complaint, the amended

8 complaint must allege violations under the law with the required specificity described above.

9 Plaintiff should note that, although he has been given the opportunity to amend, it is not for the

10 purpose of changing the nature of this suit or adding unrelated claims. George v. Smith, 507 F.3d

11 605, 607 (7th Cir. 2007) (no “buckshot” complaints).

12 Additionally, Plaintiff is advised that an amended complaint supersedes the original

13 complaint, Lacey v. Maricopa County, 693 F.3d. 896, 907 n.1 (9th Cir. 2012) (en banc), and must

14 be complete in itself without reference to the prior or superseded pleading, Local Rule 220.

15 Therefore, in an amended complaint, as in an original complaint, each claim and the involvement

16 of each Defendant must be sufficiently alleged. The amended complaint should be clearly and

17 boldly titled “First Amended Complaint,” refer to the appropriate case number, and be an original

18 signed under penalty of perjury. Additionally, the amended complaint shall not be more than

19 twenty-five pages long including any attached exhibits.

20 Alternatively, Plaintiff may choose to stand on this complaint, in which case the Court

21 will issue findings and recommendations to a district judge consistent with this order.

22 For the above reasons, IT IS ORDERED that:

23 1. The Clerk of Court is directed to add “Defense Counsel” as a defendant on the

24 docket.

25 2. The Clerk of Court is directed to send Plaintiff a § 1983 civil rights complaint

26 form.

27 3. Within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order, Plaintiff shall either:

28 a. File a First Amended Complaint; or

b. File a notice stating that he wants to stand on his complaint.

1 4. Should Plaintiff choose to amend his complaint, Plaintiff shall caption the

2 amended complaint “First Amended Complaint” and refer to the case number

3 1:25-cv-00453-KES-EPG.

4 5. Failure to comply with this order may result in the dismissal of this action.

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6 | I IS SO ORDERED.

7) Dated: _May 6, 2025 □□□ hey

8 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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