Case ID: f-appx_153/html/0869-01.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

Monroe E. BULLOCK, Appellant v. John DOE; Michael E. Kunz.
    No. 05-3985.
    United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
    Submitted For Possible Dismissal Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) Oct. 20, 2005.
    Decided Nov. 9, 2005.
    
      Monroe E. Bullock, Inez, KY, pro se.
    Kathleen Meriwether, Office of United States Attorney, Philadelphia, PA, for Appellees.
    Before SLOVITER, MCKEE AND FISHER, Circuit Judges.
   OPINION

PER CURIAM

Monroe Bullock appeals the order of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania dismissing his civil rights complaint. In his complaint, Bullock alleged that he filed a motion to supplement a Rule 60(b) motion he had filed in his criminal proceeding in the District Court (Judge Kelly). The District Court denied the motion without prejudice for failure to file a certificate of service. Bullock alleged that John Doe, a deputy clerk, failed to refile the motion when Bullock filed the certificate of service. Bullock stated that John Doe told him that the refiled motion had been sent directly to the judge’s chambers. The District Court denied the Rule 60(b) motion. Bullock also alleged that Michael Kunz, Clerk of the District Court, was in charge of supervising the deputy clerks. Bullock alleged that the actions of the appellees violated his right of access to the courts, due process, and equal protection. The District Court (Judge Fullam) dismissed the civil rights action as legally frivolous. Bullock filed a motion to amend the judgment which the District Court denied. Bullock filed a timely notice of appeal, and we have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291.

Because Bullock is proceeding in forma pauperis on this appeal, we must analyze his 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 the action (i) is frivolous or malicious, (ii) fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or (iii) seeks monetary damages from a defendant with immunity. An action or appeal can be frivolous for either legal or factual reasons. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325, 109 S.Ct. 1827, 104 L.Ed.2d 338 (1989). Because the District Court in Bullock’s criminal case ruled on his motions, we agree with the District Court that Bullock’s complaint was legally frivolous. Moreover, we note that according to the docket for his criminal proceeding, Bullock filed a motion to amend the District Court’s order denying the Rule 60(b) motion at issue. Thus, he had the opportunity to raise any concerns he had about what pleadings were before the District Court. Furthermore, we note that Bullock did not appeal the District Court’s order. Accordingly, we will dismiss the appeal as frivolous. 
      
      . Bullock had already filed a direct appeal from his conviction and sentence, a § 2255 motion, and an application to file a second or successive § 2255 motion. Recently, he filed a mandamus petition challenging his sentence which this Court denied.