Fontanes v. Shenandoah Circuit Court, No. 7:2016cv00456 - Document 17 (W.D. Va. 2016)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Norman K. Moon on 10/31/2016. (tvt)
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Fontanes v. Shenandoah Circuit Court Doc. 17 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA ROANOKE DIVISION RONALD FONTANES, Plaintiff, v. SHENANDOAH CIRCUIT COURT, Defendant. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Civil Action No. 7:16cv00456 MEMORANDUM OPINION By: Norman K. Moon United States District Judge Plaintiff Ronald Fontanes, a Virginia inmate proceeding pro se, filed a civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, naming the Shenandoah Circuit Court as the only defendant. To state a cause of action under § 1983, a plaintiff must allege facts indicating that he has been deprived of rights guaranteed by the Constitution or laws of the United States and that this deprivation resulted from conduct committed by a person acting under color of state law. West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42 (1988) (emphasis added). As the Shenandoah Circuit Court is not a “person” subject to suit under § 1983, Fontanes cannot maintain this action against the court. See Pringle v. Dorchester County Circuit Court, No. 2:16-981-PMD-BM, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 62339, at *4, 2016 WL 2754539, at *2 (D.S.C. Apr. 20, 2016) (citing Mumford v. Basinki, 105 F.3d 264, 268 (6th Cir. 1997)). Accordingly, I will dismiss Fontanes’ complaint without prejudice pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(c)(1).1 31st ENTER: This _____ day of October, 2016. 1 I note that Fontanes may refile his claims in a separate civil action, naming a proper defendant and specifically alleging how the named defendant violated his federal rights. Dockets.Justia.com
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