Case ID: f-appx_90/html/0749-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.\n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Brent ROBINS; Kim Robins, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. Brian JARREAU; et al., Defendants, Brian Jarreau; Kim Jarreau; Foremost Signature Insurance Company, Defendants-Appellees. Brent Robins; Kim Robins, Plaintiffs-Counter Defendants-Appellants Cross-Appellees, v. Brian Jarreau; et al., Defendants, Brian Jarreau; Kim Jarreau; Defendants-Counter Claimants-Appellees-Cross-Appellants, Foremost Signature Insurance Company, Defendant-Cross-Appellant.
    Nos. 02-30971, 03-30013.
    Summary Calendar
    United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
    Feb. 20, 2004.
    Clarence T. Nalls, Jr., Nalls & Nalls, for Plamtiffs-Appellants/Plaintiffs-Counter Defendants-Appellants Cross-Appellees.
    Scott James Scofield, Phillip W. DeVil-biss, Scofield, Gerard, Veron, Singletary & Pohorelsky, Lake Charles, LA, for Defendants-Appellees/Defendants-Counter Claimants-Appellees-Cross-Appellants.
    Before JONES, BENAVIDES and CLEMENT, Circuit Judges.
   PER CURIAM.

In February 2002, Brent and Kim Robins (collectively “the Robins”) tried to make a federal case out of their ongoing feud with their neighbors, Brian and Kim Jarreau (“the Jarreaus”), by filing a civil rights action against them. The Robins amended the complaint to add as a defendant the Jarreaus’ personal liability insurer, Foremost Signature. The district court dismissed the complaint because there was no allegation of state action, the claims were prescribed, and there was no cause of action based on Kim Robins’ conviction because there was no allegation that those criminal proceedings had been terminated in her favor. The district court found in favor of the Jarreaus on their counterclaim against the Robins and awarded the Jarreaus $2,500 in attorneys’ fees.

The Robins contend that the district court erred in denying their second motion to amend the complaint to add as a defendant a state employee whose letter to the defendants allegedly “precipitated” criminal charges against Kim Robins; that the district court erred in dismissing the complaint pursuant to Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 114 S.Ct. 2364, 129 L.Ed.2d 383 (1994), on the basis that there was no state action; and that the district court erred in determining that the defendants were a “prevailing party” and in awarding attorneys’ fees to them. These arguments are without legal or factual basis and are frivolous. The Robins’ appeal is frivolous and is DISMISSED. 5th Cir. R. 42.2.

On cross-appeal, the Jarreaus and Foremost Signature argue that the district court erred in awarding less attorneys’ fees than they had incurred based on the Robins’ unsupported assertions regarding their financial condition. The Jarreaus and Foremost Signature are correct. See Alizadeh v. Safeway Stores, Inc., 910 F.2d 234, 239 n. 7 (5th Cir.1990). We VACATE the award of only $2,500 in attorneys’ fees and REMAND to the district court for further proceedings. See Forbush v. J.C. Penny Co., 98 F.3d 817, 821-23 (5th Cir. 1996).

The Jarreaus and Foremost Signature move in this court for award of appellate costs and attorneys’ fee sanctions pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 38. Because the Robins’ appeal is frivolous, we GRANT the appellees’ motion and AWARD attorneys’ fees and double costs to them. Fed. R.App. P. 38.

We ORDER the appellants’ attorney, Clarence T. Nalls, to show cause, within ten days of this order, why this court should not impose sanctions against him pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1927. If Nalls does not comply with this order, we DIRECT the clerk to assess against Nalls personally the excess costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred by the appellees.

The Jarreaus and Foremost Signature are DIRECTED to file a bill of costs together with an affidavit setting forth expenses and attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred by them in connection with this appeal. See Fed. R.App. P. 39; 5th Cir. R. 39 and 47.8.1.

Appeal Nos. 02-30971 and 03-30013 are DISMISSED AS FRIVOLOUS; award of $2,500 in attorneys’ fees is VACATED and REMANDED; Appellees’ Motion for Damages and Attorneys’ Fees is GRANTED; Appellants’ attorney ORDERED to show cause why SANCTIONS should not be imposed against him pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1927. 
      
       Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.