Case ID: f-appx_244/html/0414-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Eugene H. HEWLETT, Appellant v. Lynne ABRAHAM; 1st Judicial District; Evan Silverman, Office of District Attorney of Philadelphia, PA; Michael J. Kelly, Office of Public Defender; Policeman Louis Policeman, Badge Numb # 2360; Policeman Leonard Zito, Badge Numb 4898; Policeman John Doe, Badge UNK of The Philadelphia Police Dept.; Office of Philadelphia District Attorney; The Philadelphia Police Department.
    No. 07-1931.
    United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
    Submitted for Possible Dismissal Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) or Summary Action Under Third Circuit LAR 27.4 and I.O.P. 10.6 July 26, 2007.
    Filed: Aug. 6, 2007.
    
      Eugene H. Hewlett, Philadelphia, PA, pro se.
    Karen A. Brancheau Jordan, Office of District Attorney, Mary E. Butler, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Administrative Office of PA Courts, Dennis T. Kelly, Defender Association of Philadelphia, Kelly S. Diffily, Office of City Solicitor, Philadelphia, PA, for Appellees.
    Before: BARRY, AMBRO and FISHER, Circuit Judges.
   OPINION

PER CURIAM.

Appellant Eugene H. Hewlett appeals pro se from the District Court’s order dismissing his civil rights action as untimely and the District Court’s subsequent order denying his motion for reconsideration. Hewlett’s complaint arises out of his conviction for aggravated assault in 1985 and his overnight detention in March 2003 for the alleged purchase of a firearm as a felon. We need not repeat the details of Hewlett’s claims here as they are well-known to the parties and are summarized in the District Court’s memorandum. In brief, Hewlett enumerates what he believes were various constitutional problems with his arrest and 1985 trial. Hewlett further contends that he was falsely imprisoned in 2003 because his incarceration was based on the prior improper 1985 felony conviction. We also read Hewlett’s complaint as alleging that the Philadelphia District Attorney engaged in malicious prosecution and subjected him to double jeopardy with respect to the 2003 incarceration. Hewlett seeks millions of dollars in damages.

We have jurisdiction over this appeal under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. Because Hewlett is proceeding in forma pauperis, we must analyze the appeal for possible dismissal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). Under § 1915(e)(2)(B), we must dismiss an appeal if it is frivolous. An appeal may be dismissed as frivolous if it has no arguable basis in law or fact. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325, 109 S.Ct. 1827, 104 L.Ed.2d 338 (1989).

To the extent Hewlett complains of constitutional problems with his 1980s arrest, prosecution, trial, and sentencing, those claims are clearly time-barred as the events complained of occurred more than twenty years ago. See Rose v. Bartle, 871 F.2d 331, 348 n. 13 (3d Cir.1989) (Pennsylvania’s two-year limitations period for personal injury actions is applicable in section 1983 actions). Further, the District Court properly concluded that Hewlett’s false imprisonment claim was time-barred because it is undisputed that Hewlett was released on March 3, 2003, and failed to file suit until more than two years later in June 2006. See id.; see also Wallace v. Kato, — U.S. —, 127 S.Ct. 1091, 1096, 166 L.Ed.2d 973 (2007) (statute of limitations begins to run against an action for false imprisonment when the alleged false imprisonment ends).

Hewlett’s malicious prosecution claim likewise fails because prosecutors are immune from a civil suit for damages under section 1983 for initiating a prosecution and presenting the State’s case. See Bartle, 871 F.2d at 343 (prosecutors are absolutely immune from civil liability for activities “intimately associated with the judicial phase of the criminal process”) (quoting Imbler v. Pachtman, 424 U.S. 409, 96 S.Ct. 984, 47 L.Ed.2d 128 (1976)). See also Kulwicki v. Dawson, 969 F.2d 1454, 1463-64 (3d Cir.1992) (decision to initiate a prosecution is at the core of a prosecutor’s judicial role). Hewlett’s double jeopardy claim is frivolous given that the charge for which he was allegedly wrongfully incarcerated was ultimately dismissed for lack of prosecution.

For these reasons, we will dismiss the appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). 
      
      . In any event, most of these claims would be barred under Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 114 S.Ct. 2364, 129 L.Ed.2d 383 (1994).