James D. Haburn, Sr., Plaintiff--appellant, v. Joel Brewer, District Attorney; Detective Ragan; Detectiveperkins, Defendants--appellees, 73 F.3d 357 (4th Cir. 1996)

Appellant appeals from the district court's order denying relief on his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (1988) complaint. We have reviewed the record and the district court's opinion accepting the magistrate judge's recommendation and find no reversible error. Accordingly, we affirm substantially on the reasoning of the district court. Haburn v. Brewer, No. CA-93-317-1 (M.D.N.C. July 31, 1995). We agree that, with respect to Appellant's damages claim, the district court properly dismissed that claim. See Heck v. Humphrey, --- U.S. ----, ----, 62 U.S.L.W. 4594, 4597 (U.S. June 24, 1994) (No. 93-6188). Further, although the district court did not address Appellant's request for declaratory and injunctive relief, to the extent that this action is properly construed as a habeas corpus action, Appellant must demonstrate that he has exhausted state court remedies. See Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 489 (1973); Hamlin v. Warren, 664 F.2d 29 (4th Cir. 1981), cert. denied, 455 U.S. 911 (1982). Because Appellant may refile his action if his conviction ever is overturned or called into question by the appropriate court or upon the exhaustion of state remedies, we modify the judgment to be a dismissal without prejudice. See 28 U.S.C. § 2106 (1988). We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED.