Sanders v. Fictgler et al, No. 1:2010cv00627 - Document 18 (E.D. Cal. 2010)

Court Description: FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATIONS Dismissing Action Without Leave to Amend signed by Magistrate Judge Gary S. Austin on 12/12/2010. Referred to Judge Oliver W. Wanger. Objections to F&R due by 1/18/2011. (Bradley, A)

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Sanders v. Fictgler et al Doc. 18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 PHILLIP SANDERS, 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 ) ) ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) ) DA TRACE FICTGLER, DA KAY ) KRATT, DA LET SMITH, DA MARTIN ) JIMMIEZE, COURT PROBATION, ) MARIE TABACCHI, FRESNO COUNTY ) DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE AND ) COUNTY OF FRESNO, ) ) ) Defendants. ) ) 1:10-cv-627 OWW GSA FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS DISMISSING ACTION WITHOUT LEAVE TO AMEND 20 INTRODUCTION 21 Plaintiff, Phillip Sanders (“Plaintiff”), appearing pro se and proceeding in forma pauperis, 22 filed the instant complaint on April 9, 2010. Plaintiff files this civil rights action pursuant to 42 23 U.S.C. §1983 based on violations of the Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the United 24 States Constitution. Plaintiff names Deputy District Attorney Trace Fictgler, Deputy District 25 Attorney Kay Kratt, Deputy District Attorney Let Smith, Deputy District Attorney Martin 26 27 28 1 Dockets.Justia.com 1 Jimmieze,1 Probation Officer, Marie Tabacchi, the Fresno County Probation Department,2 the 2 Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, and the County of Fresno as defendants 3 (“Defendants”). 4 5 DISCUSSION A. Screening Standard 6 Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2), the court must conduct an initial review of the 7 complaint for sufficiency to state a claim. The court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof 8 if the court determines that the action is legally “frivolous or malicious,” fails to state a claim 9 upon which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune 10 from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). If the court determines that the complaint fails to state 11 a claim, leave to amend may be granted to the extent that the deficiencies of the complaint can be 12 cured by amendment. 13 A complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the 14 pleader is entitled to relief . . . .” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Detailed factual allegations are not 15 required, but “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere 16 conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009) (citing 17 Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 1964-65 (2007)). Plaintiff 18 must set forth “sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim that is plausible on its 19 face.’” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S.Ct. at 1949 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555). While factual 20 allegations are accepted as true, legal conclusion are not. Id. 21 A complaint, or portion thereof, should only be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon 22 which relief may be granted if it appears beyond doubt that plaintiff can prove no set of facts in 23 support of the claim or claims that would entitle him to relief. See Hishon v. King & Spalding, 24 467 U.S. 69, 73 (1984), citing Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45-46 (1957); see also Palmer v. 25 26 27 28 1 Although Plaintiff’s complaint names these defendants as District Attorneys, it is presumed that Plaintiff is referring to those persons holding the title of Deputy District Attorney, as Elizabeth Egan is the only official who holds the office of District Attorney in Fresno County. 2 The Court presumes that Ms. Tabacchi is a Probation Officer even though Plaintiff has not explicitly named her as such. 2 1 Roosevelt Lake Log Owners Ass'n, 651 F.2d 1289, 1294 (9th Cir. 1981). In reviewing a 2 complaint under this standard, the Court must accept as true the allegations of the complaint in 3 question, Hospital Bldg. Co. v. Trustees of Rex Hospital, 425 U.S. 738, 740 (1976), construe the 4 pro se pleadings liberally in the light most favorable to the Plaintiff, Resnick v. Hayes, 213 F.3d 5 443, 447 (9th Cir. 2000), and resolve all doubts in the Plaintiff’s favor, Jenkins v. McKeithen, 6 395 U.S. 411, 421 (1969). 7 B. 8 9 Plaintiff’s Allegations Plaintiff’s complaint is rambling and incoherent. Although it is unclear, Plaintiff appears to allege he was unlawfully charged with the same criminal offenses on two different occasions 10 in 2004 in the Fresno County Superior Court. Complaint at pgs. 1-2. As a result of these 11 charges, Plaintiff contends that an excessive bond was imposed and his Eighth and Fourteenth 12 Amendment rights were violated. Id. He also alleges that his criminal case was improperly 13 heard before a commissioner rather than a judge and that his attorney had a conflict of interest 14 during the hearing. Complaint at pgs. 2 and 4. Finally, Plaintiff alleges that the probation office 15 improperly attempted to violate his probation based on new charges. Complaint at pg. 5. 16 Plaintiff brings this action against all defendants in their individual and official capacities. 17 Complaint at pg. 12. 18 As a preliminary matter, many of the documents Plaintiff refers to in his Complaint were 19 not filed with the Court. The Court summarizes the documents Plaintiff has filed in an attempt to 20 understand Plaintiff’s incoherent Complaint. Although Plaintiff asserts that his bond was raised 21 because he was charged with the same criminal charges twice, a review of the documents 22 demonstrates that Plaintiff actually was charged with different offenses resulting in changes in 23 his custody status as well as the required bond amounts. 24 Conviction documents attached to Plaintiff’s Complaint reveal that Plaintiff was 25 convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of California Penal Code § 26 12021 in the Fresno County Superior Court on April 13, 2004 , Case # F02906572-3. 27 Complaint at pg. 16. Plaintiff was sentenced to three years in prison with a one year 28 enhancement pursuant to California Penal Code 667.5(b), for a total sentence of four years. Id. 3 1 His sentence was suspended and he was committed to 300 days in the county jail to be followed 2 by three years of probation. Id. Plaintiff was advised that he would be sent back to prison for the 3 four year term if he violated probation. Complaint at pgs. 16 and 17 at lines 5-14. At the time of 4 his sentencing, Plaintiff was not in custody. Complaint at 16. 5 Shortly thereafter, the Fresno County Probation Office realized that Plaintiff allegedly 6 had other felony charges pending in the Fresno County Superior Court at the time of he was 7 sentenced. Complaint at pg. 23. These felony charges included a violation of California Penal 8 Code § 245, assault with a deadly weapon (Case No. F04902248-4),3 and a violation of 9 California Penal Code § 136.1, intimidation of a witness (Case No. F04902881-2). Id. The 10 alleged assault with a deadly weapon offense occurred on March 25, 2004, and the alleged 11 intimidation of a witness offense occurred on March 27, 2004. Id. 12 On May 18, 2004, the probation office recommended that Plaintiff’s probation be 13 revoked because of these offenses. Id. On May 19, 2004, the Court held a hearing for the 14 violation of probation in the initial felon in possession of a firearm case (Case No. F02906572- 15 3). Complaint at pg. 24. The People requested remand, however, the request was denied. The 16 Court contined the probation violation hearing. Complaint at pgs. 24. 17 On May 19, 2004, Plaintiff was also arraigned for the intimidation of a witness offense 18 (Case no. F04902881-2) and bail was set at $40,000.00. Complaint at pg. 26. On the same date, 19 bond was set in the assault with a deadly weapon (Case No. F04902248-4) at $155,000.00. 20 Complaint at pg. 27. On May 19, 2004, Mary Sanders also signed a promissary note in the 21 amount of $195,000.00, and it appears Plaintiff was released. Complaint at pg. 31. However, on 22 August 3, 2004, Plaintiff was ordered remanded to custody based on the initial violation of 23 probation in the felon in possession of a firearm case (Case No. F02906572-3).4 Complaint at pg. 24 40, 45. 25 26 27 28 3 As a result of this offense, Plaintiff was also charged with California Penal Code 422, PC 12021(a)(1) and PC 245(a)(3). 4 It is unclear from the documentation Plaintiff submitted whether the Court found that Plaintiff had violated his probation. However, because Plaintiff was remanded, it appears that Plaintiff’s probation was revoked. 4 Plaintiff also submitted bond documents indicating that a member of Plaintiff’s family 1 2 posted a $250,000.00 bond for Plaintiff on October 25, 2004, however, the Court was unable to 3 ascertain what offense this relates to as no other documents were attached. Plaintiff alleges all 4 of the charges against him were dropped but no documents were attached to the Complaint in 5 support of this assertion. 6 C. Analysis of Plaintiff’s Claims 7 1. Rule 8(a) 8 A trial court may dismiss a claim sua sponte under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) where the 9 claimant cannot possibly win relief. Omar v.Sea-Land Service, Inc. 813 F.2d 986, 991 (9th Cir. 10 1987); Wong v. Bell, 642 F.2d 359, 361-62 (9th Cir. 1981). A claim is legally frivolous when it 11 lacks an arguable basis either in law or fact. Neitzke v. Wiliams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989); 12 Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1227-28 (9th Cir. 1984). A federal court may dismiss a claim 13 as frivolous where it is based on an indisputably meritless legal theory or where the factual 14 contentions are clearly baseless. Nietzke, 490 U.S. at 327. 15 As Rule 8(a) states, a complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim.” 16 The rule expresses the principle of notice-pleading, whereby the pleader need only give the 17 opposing party fair notice of a claim. Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45-46 (1957). Rule 8(a) 18 does not require an elaborate recitation of every fact a plaintiff may ultimately rely upon at trial, 19 but only a statement sufficient to “give the defendant fair notice of what the plaintiff's claim is and 20 the grounds upon which it rests.” Id. at 47. 21 In this case, Plaintiff has not provided Defendants with a short and plain statement of the 22 claim. Nevertheless, he will not be given leave to amend the Complaint as the case is barred for 23 the reasons set forth below. 24 2. Statute of Limitations and 1983 Claims 25 As a preliminary matter, federal civil rights statutes have no independent limitations 26 period. Johnson v. State of California, 207 F.3d 650, 653 (9th Cir. 2000); Taylor v. Regents of the 27 Univ. of Cal., 993 F.2d 710, 711 (9th Cir. 1993) (California’s statute of limitations for personal 28 injury actions governs claims brought pursuant to §§ 1981, 1983 & 1985); Abreu v. Ramirez, 284 5 1 F.Supp.2d 1250, 1257 (C.D. Cal. 2003). The applicable limitations period is determined by 2 borrowing the forum state’s limitations period for personal injuries. Johnson v. State of 3 California, 207 F.3d at 653; Abreu v. Ramirez, 284 F.Supp.2d at 1257. Section 1983 and related 4 federal civil rights claims “are best characterized as personal injury actions.” Wilson v. Garcia, 5 471 U.S. 261, 280 (1985). 6 Pursuant to Wilson, the Ninth Circuit held that the appropriate statute of limitations for 7 section 1983 and section 1985 claims brought in California is the limitation set forth in California 8 Code of Civil Procedure § 340(3). See Usher v. City of Los Angeles, 828 F.2d 556, 558 (9th 9 Cir.1987) (deciding § 340(3) applies to claims brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983); McDougal 10 v. County of Imperial, 942 F.2d 668, 674 (9th Cir.1991) (deciding that § 340(3) applies to claims 11 brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3)); Taylor v. Regents of Univ. of California, 993 F.2d at 12 711-12 (holding that § 340(3) applies to claims brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1985). 13 On January 1, 2003, section 340(3) was replaced with California Code of Civil Procedure 14 § 335.1, which lengthened the limitations period for personal injury claims to two years. 15 Although state law provides the statute of limitations for claims under sections 1983 and 1985, 16 federal law determines when a civil rights claim accrues. Knox v. Davis, 260 F.3d 1009, 1013 17 (9th Cir. 2001). “Under federal law, ‘a claim accrues when the plaintiff knows or has reason to 18 know of the injury which is the basis of the action.’ ” Id., quoting Two Rivers v. Lewis, 174 F.3d 19 987, 992 (9th Cir.1999). 20 Although the statute of limitations is an affirmative defense that normally may not be 21 raised by the Court sua sponte, it may be grounds for sua sponte dismissal of an in forma pauperis 22 complaint where the defense is complete and obvious from the face of the pleadings or the court’s 23 own records. Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d at 1228-1230 (9th Cir. 1984). In this case, the 24 defense appears complete and obvious from the face of the complaint and the accompanying 25 documents submitted by Plaintiff because all of the violations alleged in the complaint occurred in 26 April 2004. The complaint was not filed until April 2010 which is six years after the violation 27 occurred. Thus, any of the alleged causes of action Plaintiff asserts are well outside the applicable 28 two year statute of limitations period. Stated more plainly, Plaintiff had two years from the date 6 1 of the violation in 2004 to file his complaint. Because Plaintiff alleges that the charges were 2 dismissed against him, it does not appear that any tolling applies because of his incarceration.5 3 This Court acknowledges that pro se plaintiffs proceeding in forma pauperis must be given 4 an opportunity to amend their complaint unless it is “absolutely clear that the deficiencies of the 5 complaint could not be cured by amendment.” Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d at 1228, n. 9. Here, 6 the Court finds it is absolutely clear that amendment will not cure the fatal defect of a time-barred 7 Complaint and will recommend that all of the causes of action against all Defendants be 8 DISMISSED WITHOUT LEAVE TO AMEND. 9 10 3. Prosecutorial Immunity State court judges and prosecutors are immune from liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. See 11 Olsen v. Idaho State Bd. of Medicine, 363 F.3d 916, 922 (9th Cir. 2004) (“Absolute immunity is 12 generally accorded to judges and prosecutors functioning in their official capacities”); Schucker v. 13 Rockwood, 846 F.2d 1202, 1204 (9th Cir. 1988); Ashelman v. Pope, 793 F.2d 1072, 1075 (9th 14 Cir.1986) (holding that judges and prosecutors are immune from liability for damages under § 15 1983); Imbler v. Pachtman, 424 U.S. 409, 418 (1976). Here, Plaintiff is attempting to sue for the 16 actions taken during the course of the prosecutor’s official capacity. Therefore, Deputy District 17 Attorneys Trace Fictgler; Kay Kratt; Let Smith, and Martin Jimmieze are immune from suit and it 18 is recommended that they be DISMISSED WITHOUT LEAVE TO AMEND. 19 4. Eleventh Amendment Immunity 20 Plaintiff has named the Fresno County Probation Department and the Fresno County 21 District Attorney’s Office in the Complaint. “The Eleventh Amendment prohibits federal courts 22 from hearing suits brought against an unconsenting state. Though its language might suggest 23 otherwise, the Eleventh Amendment has long been construed to extend to suits brought against a 24 state by its own citizens, as well as by citizens of other states.” Brooks v. Sulphur Springs Valley 25 Elec. Coop., 951 F.2d 1050, 1053 (9th Cir. 1991), cert. denied, 503 U.S. 938 (1992)(citation 26 27 28 5 The Court notes that Plaintiff has submitted documentation in response to Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss based on the statute of limitation because Plaintiff was incarcerated from February 12, 2009 until December 6, 2009. (Doc. 15). However, Plaintiff’s incarceration in 2009 would not toll the requirement that he file within two years of 2004 because this is beyond the applicable statute of limitations period. 7 1 omitted); see also Seminole Tribe of Fla. v. Florida, 517 U.S. 44, 116 S.Ct. 1114, 1122 (1996); 2 Puerto Rico Aqueduct Sewer Auth. v. Metcalf & Eddy, Inc., 506 U.S. 139, 144 (1993); Austin v. 3 State Indus. Ins. Sys., 939 F.2d 676, 677 (9th Cir. 1991). 4 The Eleventh Amendment bars suits against state agencies as well as those where the state 5 itself is named as a defendant. See, Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority v. Metcalf & Eddy, 6 Inc., 506 U.S. at 144; Natural Resources Defense Council v. California Dept. of Transportation, 7 96 F.3d 420, 421 (9th Cir. 1996); Brooks v. Sulphur Springs Valley Elec. Coop., 951 F.2d at 1053; 8 see also Lucas v. Department of Corrections, 66 F.3d 245, 248 (9th Cir. 1995) (per curiam) (Board 9 of Corrections is agency entitled to immunity); Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 (9th Cir. 1989) 10 11 (Nevada Department of Prisons was a state agency entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity). The Eleventh Amendment’s bar to actions against states and their entities in federal courts 12 provides grounds to dismiss the complaint against the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office 13 and the Fresno County Probation Department. The Complaint alleges no conduct that falls 14 outside the scope of the immunities. Thus, the Court recommends that these defendants be 15 DISMISSED WITHOUT LEAVE TO AMEND. 16 5. 17 A local government unit may not be held liable for the acts of its employees under a The County of Fresno 18 respondeat superior theory. Monell v. Department of Social Services, 436 U.S. at 691; Davis v. 19 Mason County, 927 F.2d 1473, 1480 (9th Cir. 1991), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 899 (1991); 20 Thompson v. City of Los Angeles, 885 F.2d 1439, 1443 (9th Cir. 1989). Because liability of a 21 local governmental unit must rest on its actions, not the actions of its employees, a plaintiff must 22 go beyond the respondeat superior theory and demonstrate the alleged constitutional violation was 23 the product of a policy or custom of the local governmental unit. City of Canton, Ohio v. Harris, 24 489 U.S. 378, 385, 109 S.Ct. 1197 (1989); Pembaur v. City of Cincinnati, 475 U.S. 469, 478-480, 25 106 S.Ct. 1292 (1986). 26 A “rule or regulation promulgated, adopted, or ratified by a local governmental entity’s 27 legislative body unquestionably satisfies Monell’s policy requirements.” Thompson v. City of Los 28 Angeles, 885 F.2d at 1443. Official policy may derive from “a decision properly made by a local 8 1 governmental entity’s authorized decision maker – i.e., an official who possesses final authority to 2 establish [local government] policy with respect to the [challenged] action.” Thompson v. City of 3 Los Angeles, 885 F.2d at 1443, internal quotation marks omitted. “Only if a plaintiff shows that 4 his injury resulted from a ‘permanent and well-settled’ practice may liability attach for injury 5 resulting from a local government custom.” Thompson v. City of Los Angeles, 885 F.2d at 1444. 6 “[O]fficial policy must be the moving force of the constitutional violation in order to establish the 7 liability of a government body under § 1983.” Polk County v. Dodson, 454 U.S. 312, 326 (1981), 8 internal quotation marks omitted; see Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. at 370-377 (general allegation of 9 administrative negligence fails to state a constitutional claim cognizable under § 1983). 10 Here, Plaintiff’s allegations do not relate to a policy or custom adopted by the County of 11 Fresno which resulted in a constitutional violation, but instead relate to the actions of prosecutors 12 and a probation officer during the course of the prosecution of his probation violation. Therefore, 13 it will be recommended that the County of Fresno be DISMISSED WITHOUT LEAVE TO 14 AMEND. 15 6. 16 In Will v. Michigan Department of State Police, 491 U.S. 58, 64-66 (1989), the Supreme Individual v. Official Capacities 17 Court held that states, state agencies, and state officials sued in their official capacities are not 18 persons subject to civil rights suits under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The Supreme Court reasoned that a 19 suit against a state official in his or her official capacity is a suit against the official's office, and as 20 such is no different from a suit against the state itself, which would be barred by the Eleventh 21 Amendment. Id.; see also Romano v. Bible, 169 F.3d 1182, 1185 (9th Cir.1999); Stivers v. Pierce, 22 71 F.3d 732, 749 (9th Cir.1995). In addition, “the Eleventh Amendment bars actions against state 23 officers sued in their official capacities for past alleged misconduct involving a complainant's 24 federally protected rights, where the nature of the relief sought is retroactive, i.e., money 25 damages.” Bair v. Krug, 853 F.2d 672, 675 (9th Cir.1988). 26 To the extent the Plaintiff’s complaint names all of the defendants in their official 27 capacities, it fails to state a cause of action. Accordingly, it is recommended that the complaint be 28 DISMISSED WITHOUT LEAVE TO AMEND against any defendants named in their official 9 1 capacities. 2 RECOMMENDATION 3 Based on all of the above, the Court HEREBY RECOMMENDS that this action be 4 5 DISMISSED WITHOUT LEAVE TO AMEND in its entirety for failure to state a claim. These findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Honorable Oliver W. 6 Wanger pursuant to the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within thirty (30) days after 7 being served with these findings and recommendations, the parties may file written objections 8 with the Court. The document should be captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings 9 and Recommendations." The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the specified 10 time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th 11 Cir. 1991). 12 13 14 IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: 6i0kij December 12, 2010 /s/ Gary S. Austin UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 10

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