Harris v. McDonnell et al, No. 1:2008cv00080 - Document 3 (N.D. Ohio 2008)

Court Description: Memorandum Opinion and Order granting request to proceed in forma pauperis. This action is dismissed under section 1915(e). Further, the court certifies, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), that an appeal from this decision could not be taken in good faith. Signed by Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr on 3/14/2008. (D,M)

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Harris v. McDonnell et al Doc. 3 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO ERNEST C. HARRIS, Plaintiff, v. JUDGE NANCY R. MCDONNELL, et al., Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) CASE NO. 1:08 CV 80 JUDGE SOLOMON OLIVER, JR. MEMORANDUM OF OPINION AND ORDER On January 11, 2008, plaintiff pro se Ernest C. Harris filed this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in forma pauperis action against Judge Nancy R. McDonnell, Kevin M. Cafferney, and Ruth Fischein Cohen. While the complaint is unclear, it would appear plaintiff is challenging the validity of certain March 2006 convictions in the Ohio Court of Common Pleas. denied a speedy trial. In particular, he asserts he was For the reasons stated below, this action is dismissed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e). Although pro se pleadings are liberally construed, Boag v. MacDougall, 454 U.S. 364, 365 (1982) (per curiam); Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972), the district court is required to dismiss an action under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e) if it fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, or if it lacks an arguable Dockets.Justia.com basis in law or fact.1 Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319 (1989); Lawler v. Marshall, 898 F.2d 1196 (6th Cir. 1990); Sistrunk v. City of Strongsville, 99 F.3d 194, 197 (6th Cir. 1996). Principles requiring generous construction of pro se pleadings are not without limits. Beaudett v. City of Hampton, 775 F.2d 1274, 1277 (4th Cir. 1985). A complaint must contain either direct or inferential allegations respecting all the material elements of some viable legal theory to satisfy federal notice pleading requirements. See Schied v. Fanny Farmer Candy Shops, Inc., 859 F.2d 434, 437 (6th Cir. 1988). District courts are not required to conjure up questions never squarely presented to them or to construct full blown Beaudette, 775 F.2d at 1278. claims from sentence fragments. To do so would "require ...[the courts] to explore exhaustively all potential claims of a pro se plaintiff, ... [and] would...transform the district court from its legitimate advisory role to the improper role of an advocate seeking out the strongest arguments and most successful strategies for a party." Id. Even liberally construed, the complaint does not set forth allegations reasonably suggesting plaintiff might have a 1 A claim may be dismissed sua sponte, without prior notice to the plaintiff and without service of process on the defendant, if the court explicitly states that it is invoking section 1915(e) [formerly 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d)] and is dismissing the claim for one of the reasons set forth in the statute. McGore v. Wrigglesworth, 114 F.3d 601, 608-09 (6th Cir. 1997); Spruytte v. Walters, 753 F.2d 498, 500 (6th Cir. 1985), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 1054 (1986); Harris v. Johnson, 784 F.2d 222, 224 (6th Cir. 1986); Brooks v. Seiter, 779 F.2d 1177, 1179 (6th Cir. 1985). 2 valid federal claim. of his conviction To the extent he is challenging the validity and present confinement in an Ohio penal institution, plaintiff's sole federal remedy is habeas corpus. Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475 (1973). Further, absent allegations that criminal proceedings terminated in plaintiff's favor or that a conviction stemming from the asserted violation of his rights was reversed, expunged by executive order, declared invalid by a state tribunal, or called into question by a federal court's issuance of a writ of habeas corpus, he may not recover damages for his claim. Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477 (1994). Accordingly, the request to proceed in forma pauperis is granted and this action is dismissed under section 1915(e). Further, the court certifies, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), that an appeal from this decision could not be taken in good faith. IT IS SO ORDERED. /s/SOLOMON OLIVER, JR. UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 3

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