“There is no legitimate claim of 14 entitlement to a grievance procedure.”
How later courts described this case
- “There is no legitimate claim of 14 entitlement to a grievance procedure.”
- finding defendants entitled to qualified immunity because “[violations of] state 24 departmental regulations do not establish a federal constitutional violation”
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
1 WO JL
2
3
4
5
6 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
7 FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA
8
9 Brandon Pierre July, Sr., No. CV 21-00282-PHX-JAT (MHB)
10 Plaintiff,
11 v. ORDER
12
Paul Penzone, et al.,
13
14 Defendants.
15
16 On February 12, 2021, Plaintiff Brandon Pierre July, Sr., who is confined in a
17 Maricopa County Jail, filed a pro se civil rights Complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983
18 and an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. In a February 23, 2021 Order, the Court
19 granted the Application to Proceed and dismissed the Complaint because Plaintiff had
20 failed to state a claim. The Court gave Plaintiff 30 days to file an amended complaint that
21 cured the deficiencies identified in the Order.
22 On March 3, 2021, Plaintiff filed his First Amended Complaint. In a March 12,
23 2021 Order, the Court dismissed the First Amended Complaint because Plaintiff had failed
24 to state a claim. The Court gave Plaintiff 30 days to file a second amended complaint that
25 cured the deficiencies identified in the Order.
26 On March 10, 2021, Plaintiff filed a Request for Entry of Default Judgment (Doc.
27 8)1 and on March 25, 2021, he filed a Second Amended Complaint (Doc. 10). The Court
28
1 The Request for Entry of Default Judgment was not docketed until March 12, 2021.
1 will deny the Request, dismiss the Second Amended Complaint, and grant Plaintiff one
2 final opportunity to amend his claims.
3 I. Statutory Screening of Prisoner Complaints
4 The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief
5 against a governmental entity or an officer or an employee of a governmental entity. 28
6 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if a plaintiff
7 has raised claims that are legally frivolous or malicious, that fail to state a claim upon which
8 relief may be granted, or that seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from
9 such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1)–(2).
10 A pleading must contain a “short and plain statement of the claim showing that the
11 pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2) (emphasis added). While Rule 8 does
12 not demand detailed factual allegations, “it demands more than an unadorned, the-
13 defendant-unlawfully-harmed-me accusation.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678
14 (2009). “Threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere
15 conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Id.
16 “[A] complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a
17 claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Id. (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly,
18 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). A claim is plausible “when the plaintiff pleads factual content
19 that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the
20 misconduct alleged.” Id. “Determining whether a complaint states a plausible claim for
21 relief [is] . . . a context-specific task that requires the reviewing court to draw on its judicial
22 experience and common sense.” Id. at 679. Thus, although a plaintiff’s specific factual
23 allegations may be consistent with a constitutional claim, a court must assess whether there
24 are other “more likely explanations” for a defendant’s conduct. Id. at 681.
25 . . . .
26
In the Request, Plaintiff asserts that Defendant was “se[rv]ed” with the Complaint on
February 11, 2021 and failed to respond within the time provided in the Federal Rules of
27
Civil Procedure. Contrary to Plaintiff’s assertion, no Defendant has been served in this
case. Merely filing a civil rights complaint does not amount to service on any Defendant.
28
Rather, the Court must first screen pro se prisoner civil rights complaints to determine
whether any named Defendants should be served.
1 But as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has instructed, courts
2 must “continue to construe pro se filings liberally.” Hebbe v. Pliler, 627 F.3d 338, 342
3 (9th Cir. 2010). A “complaint [filed by a pro se prisoner] ‘must be held to less stringent
4 standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers.’” Id. (quoting Erickson v. Pardus, 551
5 U.S. 89, 94 (2007) (per curiam)).
6 If the Court determines that a pleading could be cured by the allegation of other
7 facts, a pro se litigant is entitled to an opportunity to amend a complaint before dismissal
8 of the action. See Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1127-29 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc).
9 Plaintiff’s Second Amended Complaint will be dismissed for failure to state a claim, but
10 because it may possibly be amended to state a claim, the Court will dismiss it with leave
11 to amend. This will be Plaintiff’s final opportunity to amend his claims.
12 II. Second Amended Complaint
13 In his two-count Second Amended Complaint, Plaintiff sues Maricopa County
14 Sheriff Paul Penzone, Captain Spuron, Sergeant Parker, and Hearing Sergeant Johnson.
15 Plaintiff asserts claims of denial of access to counsel and a threat to his safety. He seeks
16 monetary relief.
17 In Count One, Plaintiff alleges that on January 8, 2021, he submitted a request for a
18 legal call, as Defendant Parker had instructed him to do. Plaintiff’s request for a legal call
19 was not approved. The same day, Plaintiff submitted a grievance directed to Defendant
20 Penzone. Plaintiff contends this “show[]s” that Defendant Penzone “is notified of any and
21 all” grievances submitted by detainees at the 4th Avenue Jail. Plaintiff asserts that
22 Defendant Penzone “cho[]se not to correct the error that occur[r]ed.”
23 Plaintiff alleges that because he was not allowed to make the legal call, he could not
24 inform his legal advisor “of a question he needed answered” before filing a motion in his
25 criminal proceeding, where he is proceeding pro se. Plaintiff asserts the failure to approve
26 the legal call violated his civil rights as well as jail policy. He also contends that Defendant
27 Penzone, as Sheriff, “is informed of all issues involving his jail” but chose not to address
28 and correct “the problem,” as did the other named Defendants. Plaintiff claims a motion
1 in his criminal proceeding that, if granted, could have “ex[]onerated” him,” was denied
2 because he was unable to contact his legal advisor. Plaintiff also alleges that he has been
3 mentally and physically “[a]ffected.”
4 In Count Two, Plaintiff alleges that on February 10, 2021, he was taken to an
5 observation pod and placed in a cell alone. The cell was unsanitary and unsafe, and
6 Plaintiff requested cleaning supplies, but his requests were denied. Plaintiff “requested” a
7 Sergeant and the Captain so that his “issue” could be addressed, but he was “denied that as
8 well.” Plaintiff submitted a grievance directed to Defendant Penzone. Plaintiff asserts that
9 Defendant Penzone is “ke[pt] informed” of all issues in the Jail through grievances and by
10 the Captain. Plaintiff alleges he went through the channels “they” tell detainees they must
11 take if they have been “wronged or have an issue” and completed all the paperwork, but
12 his issues were not resolved. Plaintiff contends that the floor officers—Defendants Parker,
13 Spuron, and Johnson—and Defendant Penzone failed to follow CDC guidelines for
14 maintaining sanitary conditions and safe distancing by housing eight detainees in one cell.
15 Plaintiff asserts detainees were not tested for COVID-19.
16 III. Failure to State a Claim
17 To state a valid claim under § 1983, plaintiffs must allege that they suffered a
18 specific injury as a result of specific conduct of a defendant and show an affirmative link
19 between the injury and the conduct of that defendant. See Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362,
20 371-72, 377 (1976).
21 Although pro se pleadings are liberally construed, Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519,
22 520-21 (1972), conclusory and vague allegations will not support a cause of action. Ivey
23 v. Bd. of Regents, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982). Further, a liberal interpretation of a
24 civil rights complaint may not supply essential elements of the claim that were not initially
25 pled. Id.
26 A. Defendant Penzone
27 There is no respondeat superior liability under § 1983, and therefore, a defendant’s
28 position as the supervisor of persons who allegedly violated Plaintiff’s constitutional rights
1 does not impose liability. Monell v. Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 436 U.S. 658 (1978); Hamilton
2 v. Endell, 981 F.2d 1062, 1067 (9th Cir. 1992); Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 (9th
3 Cir. 1989). “Because vicarious liability is inapplicable to Bivens and § 1983 suits, a
4 plaintiff must plead that each Government-official defendant, through the official’s own
5 individual actions, has violated the Constitution.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 676.
6 Plaintiff has not alleged that Defendant Penzone personally participated in a
7 deprivation of Plaintiff’s constitutional rights, was aware of a deprivation and failed to act,
8 or formed policies that resulted in Plaintiff’s injuries. Although Plaintiff directed his
9 grievance to Defendant Penzone by putting Penzone’s name at the top of the grievance,
10 this alone does not support a conclusion that Penzone was aware of the grievance.
11 Furthermore, even if Defendant Penzone received Plaintiff’s grievance, Penzone’s failure
12 to respond to the grievance, in itself, does not amount to a constitutional violation. See
13 Mann v. Adams, 855 F.2d 639, 640 (9th Cir. 1988) (“There is no legitimate claim of
14 entitlement to a grievance procedure.”).
15 In addition, Plaintiff’s inability to contact his legal advisor on one occasion does not
16 amount to a constitutional violation. To the extent that Plaintiff is attempting to assert a
17 Sixth Amendment claim, a § 1983 claimant alleging a violation of the Sixth Amendment
18 may satisfy the injury requirement by demonstrating that his ability to confer privately with
19 his attorney has been “chilled.” Nordstrom v. Ryan, 762 F.3d 903, 911 (9th Cir. 2014).
20 Plaintiff does not allege that his ability to privately confer with his legal advisor has been
21 “chilled” or that he had no other means of communicating with his legal advisor. Cf. Pino
22 v. Dalsheim, 558 F. Supp. 673, 674-75 (S.D.N.Y. 1983) (although plaintiff and his attorney
23 would have preferred to communicate by telephone, the state “is not obligated to provide
24 the best manner of access,” and, therefore, there was no constitutional violation where
25 inmate was limited to two, eight-minute phone conversations per month but was allowed
26 unlimited mail correspondence with his attorney and unlimited private visits). Thus,
27 Plaintiff has not stated a Sixth Amendment claim in Count One.
28 To the extent that Plaintiff intends to assert an access-to-the-courts claim, he
1 likewise fails to state a claim. The right of meaningful access to the courts prohibits
2 officials from actively interfering with inmates’ attempts to prepare or file legal documents.
3 Lewis v. Casey, 518 U.S. 343, 350 (1996). The right of access to the courts is only a right
4 to bring petitions or complaints to federal court and not a right to discover such claims or
5 even to ligate them effectively once filed with a court. Id. at 354. The right “guarantees
6 no particular methodology but rather the conferral of a capability–the capability of bringing
7 contemplated challenges to sentences or conditions of confinement before the courts.” Id.
8 at 356.
9 As a matter of standing, for an access-to-courts claim, a plaintiff must show that he
10 suffered an “actual injury” with respect to contemplated litigation. Id. at 349. To show
11 actual injury with respect to contemplated litigation, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the
12 defendants’ conduct frustrated or impeded him from bringing to court a nonfrivolous claim
13 that he wished to present. Id. at 352-53. A plaintiff must also describe the non-frivolous,
14 arguable claim in his complaint. Christopher v. Harbury, 536 U.S. 403, 414-15 (2002).
15 Plaintiff’s allegations are too vague and conclusory to support a conclusion that he
16 suffered an actual injury as a result of his inability to make a legal call. Plaintiff alleges
17 that he was unable to file a motion that could have exonerated him, but he does not provide
18 any factual detail regarding the content of the motion or how it could have exonerated him.
19 Thus, Plaintiff fails to state an access-to-the-courts claim in Count One.
20 Finally, to the extent that Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Penzone violated jail
21 policy, Plaintiff fails to state a claim because mere violations of jail policy are not
22 tantamount to a constitutional violation. Cf. Cousins v. Lockyer, 568 F.3d 1063, 1070 (9th
23 Cir. 2009) (finding defendants entitled to qualified immunity because “[violations of] state
24 departmental regulations do not establish a federal constitutional violation”).
25 In sum, Plaintiff has failed to state a claim against Defendant Penzone, and this
26 Defendant will be dismissed.
27 B. Defendants Parker, Spuron, and Johnson
28 Plaintiff has not specifically connected any of the allegations in the Second
1 Amended Complaint to Defendants Parker, Spuron, and Johnson.
2 In Count One, Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Parker instructed him how to request
3 a legal call, but that bare allegation is insufficient to support a conclusion that Defendant
4 Parker’s conduct in any way resulted in any injury to Plaintiff.
5 Plaintiff also alleges that Defendants Parker, Spuron, and Johnson failed to maintain
6 sanitary conditions and placed detainees in overcrowded cells. A pretrial detainee has a
7 right under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to be free from
8 punishment prior to an adjudication of guilt. Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 535 (1979).
9 “Pretrial detainees are entitled to ‘adequate food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, medical care,
10 and personal safety.’” Alvarez-Machain v. United States, 107 F.3d 696, 701 (9th Cir. 1996)
11 (quoting Hoptowit v. Ray, 682 F.2d 1237, 1246 (9th Cir. 1982)). To state a claim of
12 unconstitutional conditions of confinement against an individual defendant, a pretrial
13 detainee must allege facts that show:
14 (i) the defendant made an intentional decision with respect to
the conditions under which the plaintiff was confined;
15
(ii) those conditions put the plaintiff at substantial risk of
16 suffering serious harm; (iii) the defendant did not take
reasonable available measures to abate that risk, even though a
17
reasonable official in the circumstances would have
18 appreciated the high degree of risk involved—making the
consequences of the defendant’s conduct obvious; and (iv) by
19 not taking such measures, the defendant caused the plaintiff’s
20 injuries.
21 Gordon v. County of Orange, 888 F.3d 1118, 1125 (9th Cir. 2018).
22 Whether the conditions and conduct rise to the level of a constitutional violation is
23 an objective assessment that turns on the facts and circumstances of each particular case.
24 Id.; Hearns v. Terhune, 413 F.3d 1036, 1042 (9th Cir. 2005). However, “a de minimis
25 level of imposition” is insufficient. Bell, 441 U.S. at 539 n.21. In addition, the “‘mere lack
26 of due care by a state official’ does not deprive an individual of life, liberty, or property
27 under the Fourteenth Amendment.” Castro v. County of Los Angeles, 833 F.3d 1060, 1071
28 (9th Cir. 2016) (quoting Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327, 330-31 (1986)). Thus, a
1 plaintiff must “prove more than negligence but less than subjective intent—something akin
2 to reckless disregard.” Id.
3 Plaintiff’s vague and conclusory allegation that Defendants Parker, Spuron, and
4 Johnson collectively failed to maintain sanitary conditions and placed detainees in
5 overcrowded cells is insufficient to support a conclusion that any Defendant specifically
6 was aware of and disregarded a substantial risk of serious harm to Plaintiff. Thus, Plaintiff
7 has failed to state a claim against Defendants Parker, Spuron, and Johnson, and these
8 Defendants will be dismissed.
9 IV. Leave to Amend
10 For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s Second Amended Complaint will be dismissed
11 for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Within 30 days, Plaintiff may
12 submit a third amended complaint to cure the deficiencies outlined above. This will be
13 Plaintiff’s final opportunity to amend his claims. The Clerk of Court will mail Plaintiff
14 a court-approved form to use for filing a third amended complaint. If Plaintiff fails to use
15 the court-approved form, the Court may strike the third amended complaint and dismiss
16 this action without further notice to Plaintiff.
17 Plaintiff must clearly designate on the face of the document that it is the “Third
18 Amended Complaint.” The third amended complaint must be retyped or rewritten in its
19 entirety on the court-approved form and may not incorporate any part of any prior
20 Complaint by reference. Plaintiff may include only one claim per count.
21 A third amended complaint supersedes all prior Complaints. Ferdik v. Bonzelet,
22 963 F.2d 1258, 1262 (9th Cir. 1992); Hal Roach Studios v. Richard Feiner & Co., 896 F.2d
23 1542, 1546 (9th Cir. 1990). After amendment, the Court will treat all prior Complaints as
24 nonexistent. Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262. Any cause of action that was raised in any prior
25 Complaint and that was voluntarily dismissed or was dismissed without prejudice is waived
26 if it is not alleged in a third amended complaint. Lacey v. Maricopa County, 693 F.3d 896,
27 928 (9th Cir. 2012) (en banc).
28 . . . .
1 V. Warnings
2 A. Release
3 If Plaintiff is released while this case remains pending, and the filing fee has not
4 been paid in full, Plaintiff must, within 30 days of his release, either (1) notify the Court
5 that he intends to pay the unpaid balance of his filing fee within 120 days of his release or
6 (2) file a non-prisoner application to proceed in forma pauperis. Failure to comply may
7 result in dismissal of this action.
8 B. Address Changes
9 Plaintiff must file and serve a notice of a change of address in accordance with Rule
10 83.3(d) of the Local Rules of Civil Procedure. Plaintiff must not include a motion for other
11 relief with a notice of change of address. Failure to comply may result in dismissal of this
12 action.
13 C. Possible “Strike”
14 Because the Second Amended Complaint has been dismissed for failure to state a
15 claim, if Plaintiff fails to file a third amended complaint correcting the deficiencies
16 identified in this Order, the dismissal may count as a “strike” under the “3-strikes”
17 provision of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Under the 3-strikes provision, a prisoner may not bring
18 a civil action or appeal a civil judgment in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 “if the
19 prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility,
20 brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the
21 grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be
22 granted, unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury.” 28
23 U.S.C. § 1915(g).
24 D. Possible Dismissal
25 If Plaintiff fails to timely comply with every provision of this Order, including these
26 warnings, the Court may dismiss this action without further notice. See Ferdik, 963 F.2d
27 at 1260-61 (a district court may dismiss an action for failure to comply with any order of
28 the Court).
ITIS ORDERED:
2 (1) Plaintiff's Request for Default Judgment (Doc. 8) is denied.
3 (2) Plaintiff’s Second Amended Complaint (Doc. 10) is dismissed for failure to
4| state aclaim. Plaintiff has 30 days from the date this Order is filed to file a third amended
5 | complaint in compliance with this Order. This will be Plaintiffs final opportunity to
6| amend his claims.
7 (3) If Plaintiff fails to file a third amended complaint within 30 days, the Clerk
8 | of Court must, without further notice, enter a judgment of dismissal of this action with
prejudice that states that the dismissal may count as a “strike” under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g)
10 | and deny any pending unrelated motions as moot.
11 (4) The Clerk of Court must mail Plaintiff a court-approved form for filing a
12 | civil rights complaint by a prisoner.
13 Dated this 5th day of April, 2021.
14
15 A 7 5
16
7 _ James A. Teil Org
Senior United States District Judge
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28
INNT
Instructions for a Prisoner Filing a Civil Rights Complaint
in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona
1. Who May Use This Form. The civil rights complaint form is designed to help incarcerated
persons prepare a complaint seeking relief for a violation of their federal civil rights. These
complaints typically concern, but are not limited to, conditions of confinement. This form
should not be used to challenge your conviction or sentence. If you want to challenge a state
conviction or sentence, you should file a petition under 28 U.S.C. ' 2254 for a writ of habeas
corpus by a person in state custody. If you want to challenge a federal conviction or sentence,
you should file a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to vacate sentence in the federal court that entered
the judgment.
2. The Form. Local Rule of Civil Procedure (LRCiv) 3.4 provides that complaints by
incarcerated persons must be filed on the court-approved form. The form must be typed or
neatly handwritten. The form must be completely filled in to the extent applicable. All questions
must be answered clearly and concisely in the appropriate space on the form. If needed, you may
attach additional pages, but no more than fifteen additional pages, of standard letter-sized paper.
You must identify which part of the complaint is being continued and number all pages. If you do
not fill out the form properly, you will be asked to submit additional or corrected information,
which may delay the processing of your action. You do not need to cite law.
3. Your Signature. You must tell the truth and sign the form. If you make a false statement of
a material fact, you may be prosecuted for perjury.
4. The Filing and Administrative Fees. The total fees for this action are $402.00 ($350.00 filing
fee plus $52.00 administrative fee). If you are unable to immediately pay the fees, you may
request leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Please review the “Information for Prisoners Seeking
Leave to Proceed with a (Non-Habeas) Civil Action in Federal Court In Forma Pauperis Pursuant
to 28 U.S.C. ' 1915” for additional instructions.
5. Original and Judge=s Copy. You must send an original plus one copy of your complaint and
of any other documents submitted to the Court. You must send one additional copy to the Court
if you wish to have a file-stamped copy of the document returned to you. All copies must be
identical to the original. Copies may be legibly handwritten. This section does not apply to
inmates housed at an Arizona Department of Corrections facility that participates in
electronic filing.
6. Where to File. You should file your complaint in the division where you were confined
when your rights were allegedly violated. See LRCiv 5.1(a) and 77.1(a). If you were confined
in Maricopa, Pinal, Yuma, La Paz, or Gila County, file in the Phoenix Division. If you were
confined in Apache, Navajo, Coconino, Mohave, or Yavapai County, file in the Prescott Division.
If you were confined in Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Graham, or Greenlee County, file in the Tucson
Division. Mail the original and one copy of the complaint with the $402 filing and
administrative fees or the application to proceed in forma pauperis to:
1
Revised 12/1/20
Phoenix & Prescott Divisions: OR Tucson Division:
U.S. District Court Clerk U.S. District Court Clerk
U.S. Courthouse, Suite 130 U.S. Courthouse, Suite 1500
401 West Washington Street, SPC 10 405 West Congress Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85003-2119 Tucson, Arizona 85701-5010
7. Change of Address. You must immediately notify the Court and the defendants in writing of
any change in your mailing address. Failure to notify the Court of any change in your mailing
address may result in the dismissal of your case.
8. Certificate of Service. You must furnish the defendants with a copy of any document you
submit to the Court (except the initial complaint and application to proceed in forma pauperis).
Each original document (except the initial complaint and application to proceed in forma pauperis)
must include a certificate of service on the last page of the document stating the date a copy of the
document was mailed to the defendants and the address to which it was mailed. See Fed. R. Civ.
P. 5(a), (d). Any document received by the Court that does not include a certificate of service
may be stricken. This section does not apply to inmates housed at an Arizona Department
of Corrections facility that participates in electronic filing.
A certificate of service should be in the following form:
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was mailed
this (month, day, year) to:
Name:
Address:
Attorney for Defendant(s)
(Signature)
9. Amended Complaint. If you need to change any of the information in the initial complaint,
you must file an amended complaint. The amended complaint must be written on the court-
approved civil rights complaint form. You may file one amended complaint without leave
(permission) of Court within 21 days after serving it or within 21 days after any defendant has
filed an answer, whichever is earlier. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a). Thereafter, you must file a
motion for leave to amend and lodge (submit) a proposed amended complaint. LRCiv 15.1. In
addition, an amended complaint may not incorporate by reference any part of your prior complaint.
LRCiv 15.1(a)(2). Any allegations or defendants not included in the amended complaint are
considered dismissed. All amended complaints are subject to screening under the Prison
Litigation Reform Act; screening your amendment will take additional processing time.
10. Exhibits. You should not submit exhibits with the complaint or amended complaint.
Instead, the relevant information should be paraphrased. You should keep the exhibits to use to
support or oppose a motion to dismiss, a motion for summary judgment, or at trial.
11. Letters and Motions. It is generally inappropriate to write a letter to any judge or the staff
of any judge. The only appropriate way to communicate with the Court is by filing a written
pleading or motion.
2
12. Completing the Civil Rights Complaint Form.
HEADING:
1. Your Name. Print your name, prison or inmate number, and institutional mailing
address on the lines provided.
2. Defendants. If there are four or fewer defendants, print the name of each. If you
name more than four defendants, print the name of the first defendant on the first line,
write the words “and others” on the second line, and attach an additional page listing the
names of all of the defendants. Insert the additional page after page 1 and number it “1-
A” at the bottom.
3. Jury Demand. If you want a jury trial, you must write “JURY TRIAL DEMANDED”
in the space below “CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT BY A PRISONER.” Failure to do so
may result in the loss of the right to a jury trial. A jury trial is not available if you are
seeking only injunctive relief.
Part A. JURISDICTION:
1. Nature of Suit. Mark whether you are filing the complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. ' 1983
for state, county, or city defendants; “Bivens v. Six Unknown Federal Narcotics Agents”
for federal defendants; or “other.” If you mark “other,” identify the source of that
authority.
2. Location. Identify the institution and city where the alleged violation of your rights
occurred.
3. Defendants. Print all of the requested information about each of the defendants in the
spaces provided. If you are naming more than four defendants, you must provide the
necessary information about each additional defendant on separate pages labeled “2-A,”
“2-B,” etc., at the bottom. Insert the additional page(s) immediately behind page 2.
Part B. PREVIOUS LAWSUITS:
You must identify any other lawsuit you have filed in either state or federal court while
you were a prisoner. Print all of the requested information about each lawsuit in the spaces
provided. If you have filed more than three lawsuits, you must provide the necessary information
about each additional lawsuit on a separate page. Label the page(s) as “2-A,” “2-B,” etc., at the
bottom of the page and insert the additional page(s) immediately behind page 2.
Part C. CAUSE OF ACTION:
You must identify what rights each defendant violated. The form provides space to allege
three separate counts (one violation per count). If you are alleging more than three counts, you
must provide the necessary information about each additional count on a separate page. Number
the additional pages “5-A,” “5-B,” etc., and insert them immediately behind page 5. Remember
that you are limited to a total of fifteen additional pages.
3
1. Counts. You must identify which civil right was violated. You may allege the
violation of only one civil right per count.
2. Issue Involved. Check the box that most closely identifies the issue involved in your
claim. You may check only one box per count. If you check the box marked “Other,”
you must identify the specific issue involved.
3. Supporting Facts. After you have identified which civil right was violated, you must
state the supporting facts. Be as specific as possible. You must state what each
individual defendant did to violate your rights. If there is more than one defendant, you
must identify which defendant did what act. You also should state the date(s) on which
the act(s) occurred, if possible.
4. Injury. State precisely how you were injured by the alleged violation of your rights.
5. Administrative Remedies. You must exhaust any available administrative remedies
before you file a civil rights complaint. See 42 U.S.C. § 1997e. Consequently, you
should disclose whether you have exhausted the inmate grievance procedures or
administrative appeals for each count in your complaint. If the grievance procedures were
not available for any of your counts, fully explain why on the lines provided.
Part D. REQUEST FOR RELIEF:
Print the relief you are seeking in the space provided.
SIGNATURE:
You must sign your name and print the date you signed the complaint. Failure to sign the
complaint will delay the processing of your action. Unless you are an attorney, you may not bring
an action on behalf of anyone but yourself.
FINAL NOTE
You should follow these instructions carefully. Failure to do so may result in your
complaint being stricken or dismissed. All questions must be answered concisely in the proper
space on the form. If you need more space, you may attach no more than fifteen additional pages.
But the form must be completely filled in to the extent applicable. If you attach additional pages,
be sure to identify which section of the complaint is being continued and number the pages.
4
___________________________________________
Name and Prisoner/Booking Number
___________________________________________
Place of Confinement
___________________________________________
Mailing Address
___________________________________________
City, State, Zip Code
(Failure to notify the Court of your change of address may result in dismissal of this action.)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA
_________________________________________ ,
(Full Name of Plaintiff)
)
Plaintiff,
v. CASE NO. __________________________________
(To be supplied by the Clerk)
(1) _______________________________________ ,
(Full Name of Defendant)
CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT
(2) _______________________________________ , BY A PRISONER
(3) _______________________________________ ,
G Original Complaint
(4) _______________________________________ , G First Amended Complaint
G Second Amended Complaint
Defendant(s).
G Check if there are additional Defendants and attach page 1-A listing them.
A. JURISDICTION
1. This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to:
G 28 U.S.C. § 1343(a); 42 U.S.C. § 1983
G 28 U.S.C. § 1331; Bivens v. Six Unknown Federal Narcotics Agents, 403 U.S. 388 (1971).
G Other: .
2. Institution/city where violation occurred: .
550/555
B. DEFENDANTS
1. Name of first Defendant: . The first Defendant is employed
as: ______________________________________________ at_______________________________________.
(Position and Title) (Institution)
2. Name of second Defendant: . The second Defendant is employed as:
as: ______________________________________________ at_______________________________________.
(Position and Title) (Institution)
3. Name of third Defendant: . The third Defendant is employed
as: ______________________________________________ at_______________________________________.
(Position and Title) (Institution)
4. Name of fourth Defendant: . The fourth Defendant is employed
as: ______________________________________________ at_______________________________________.
(Position and Title) (Institution)
If you name more than four Defendants, answer the questions listed above for each additional Defendant on a separate page.
C. PREVIOUS LAWSUITS
1. Have you filed any other lawsuits while you were a prisoner? G Yes G No
2. If yes, how many lawsuits have you filed? . Describe the previous lawsuits:
a. First prior lawsuit:
1. Parties: v.
2. Court and case number: .
3. Result: (Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?)
.
b. Second prior lawsuit:
1. Parties: v.
2. Court and case number: .
3. Result: (Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?)
.
c. Third prior lawsuit:
1. Parties: v.
2. Court and case number: .
3. Result: (Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?)
.
If you filed more than three lawsuits, answer the questions listed above for each additional lawsuit on a separate page.
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D. CAUSE OF ACTION
COUNT I
1. State the constitutional or other federal civil right that was violated:
.
2. Count I. Identify the issue involved. Check only one. State additional issues in separate counts.
G Basic necessities G Mail G Access to the court G Medical care
G Disciplinary proceedings G Property G Exercise of religion G Retaliation
G Excessive force by an officer G Threat to safety G Other: .
3. Supporting Facts. State as briefly as possible the FACTS supporting Count I. Describe exactly what
each Defendant did or did not do that violated your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without
citing legal authority or arguments.
.
4. Injury. State how you were injured by the actions or inactions of the Defendant(s).
.
5. Administrative Remedies:
a. Are there any administrative remedies (grievance procedures or administrative appeals) available at
your institution? G Yes G No
b. Did you submit a request for administrative relief on Count I? G Yes G No
c. Did you appeal your request for relief on Count I to the highest level? G Yes G No
d. If you did not submit or appeal a request for administrative relief at any level, briefly explain why you
did not.
.
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COUNT II
1. State the constitutional or other federal civil right that was violated:
.
2. Count II. Identify the issue involved. Check only one. State additional issues in separate counts.
G Basic necessities G Mail G Access to the court G Medical care
G Disciplinary proceedings G Property G Exercise of religion G Retaliation
G Excessive force by an officer G Threat to safety G Other: .
3. Supporting Facts. State as briefly as possible the FACTS supporting Count II. Describe exactly what
each Defendant did or did not do that violated your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without
citing legal authority or arguments.
.
4. Injury. State how you were injured by the actions or inactions of the Defendant(s).
.
5. Administrative Remedies.
a. Are there any administrative remedies (grievance procedures or administrative appeals) available at
your institution? G Yes G No
b. Did you submit a request for administrative relief on Count II? G Yes G No
c. Did you appeal your request for relief on Count II to the highest level? G Yes G No
d. If you did not submit or appeal a request for administrative relief at any level, briefly explain why you
did not.
.
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COUNT III
1. State the constitutional or other federal civil right that was violated:
.
2. Count III. Identify the issue involved. Check only one. State additional issues in separate counts.
G Basic necessities G Mail G Access to the court G Medical care
G Disciplinary proceedings G Property G Exercise of religion G Retaliation
G Excessive force by an officer G Threat to safety G Other: .
3. Supporting Facts. State as briefly as possible the FACTS supporting Count III. Describe exactly what
each Defendant did or did not do that violated your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without
citing legal authority or arguments.
.
4. Injury. State how you were injured by the actions or inactions of the Defendant(s).
.
5. Administrative Remedies.
a. Are there any administrative remedies (grievance procedures or administrative appeals) available at
your institution? G Yes G No
b. Did you submit a request for administrative relief on Count III? G Yes G No
c. Did you appeal your request for relief on Count III to the highest level? G Yes G No
d. If you did not submit or appeal a request for administrative relief at any level, briefly explain why you
did not.
.
If you assert more than three Counts, answer the questions listed above for each additional Count on a separate page.
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E. REQUEST FOR RELIEF
State the relief you are seeking:
.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed on
DATE SIGNATURE OF PLAINTIFF
___________________________________________
(Name and title of paralegal, legal assistant, or
other person who helped prepare this complaint)
___________________________________________
(Signature of attorney, if any)
___________________________________________
(Attorney=s address & telephone number)
ADDITIONAL PAGES
All questions must be answered concisely in the proper space on the form. If you need more space, you may
attach no more than fifteen additional pages. But the form must be completely filled in to the extent applicable.
If you attach additional pages, be sure to identify which section of the complaint is being continued and number
all pages.
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