Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_23-cv-00008/USCOURTS-caed-2_23-cv-00008-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ABRAHAM G. PINZON,

Plaintiff,

v.

CALIFORNIA DEPT. OF HEALTH 

CARE SVCS.,

Defendants.

No. 2:23-cv-0008 DJC DB PS

ORDER AND

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Plaintiff Abraham G. Pinzon. is proceeding in this action pro se. This matter was referred 

to the undersigned in accordance with Local Rule 302(c)(21) and 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Pending 

before the court are plaintiff’s complaint, motion to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 

U.S.C. § 1915, and motions to appoint counsel. (ECF Nos. 1, 2, 4 & 6.) The complaint consists 

of allegations asserted against the Northern District of California. 

The court is required to screen complaints brought by parties proceeding in forma 

pauperis. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2); see also Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1129 (9th Cir. 

2000) (en banc). Here, plaintiff’s complaint is deficient. Accordingly, for the reasons

stated below, the undersigned will recommend that plaintiff’s complaint be dismissed without 

leave to amend.

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I. Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis

Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis application makes the financial showing required by 28 

U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1). However, a determination that a plaintiff qualifies financially for in forma 

pauperis status does not complete the inquiry required by the statute. “‘A district court may deny 

leave to proceed in forma pauperis at the outset if it appears from the face of the proposed 

complaint that the action is frivolous or without merit.’” Minetti v. Port of Seattle, 152 F.3d 

1113, 1115 (9th Cir. 1998) (quoting Tripati v. First Nat. Bank & Trust, 821 F.2d 1368, 1370 (9th 

Cir. 1987)); see also McGee v. Department of Child Support Services, 584 Fed. Appx. 638 (9th 

Cir. 2014) (“the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying McGee’s request to proceed 

IFP because it appears from the face of the amended complaint that McGee’s action is frivolous 

or without merit”); Smart v. Heinze, 347 F.2d 114, 116 (9th Cir. 1965) (“It is the duty of the 

District Court to examine any application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis to determine 

whether the proposed proceeding has merit and if it appears that the proceeding is without merit, 

the court is bound to deny a motion seeking leave to proceed in forma pauperis.”). 

Moreover, the court must dismiss an in forma pauperis case at any time if the allegation of 

poverty is found to be untrue or if it is determined that the action is frivolous or malicious, fails to 

state a claim on which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief against an immune 

defendant. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). A complaint is legally frivolous when it lacks an 

arguable basis in law or in fact. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989); Franklin v. 

Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1227-28 (9th Cir. 1984). Under this standard, a court must dismiss a 

complaint as frivolous where it is based on an indisputably meritless legal theory or where the 

factual contentions are clearly baseless. Neitzke, 490 U.S. at 327; 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e).

To state a claim on which relief may be granted, the plaintiff must allege “enough facts to 

state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 

570 (2007). In considering whether a complaint states a cognizable claim, the court accepts as 

true the material allegations in the complaint and construes the allegations in the light most 

favorable to the plaintiff. Hishon v. King & Spalding, 467 U.S. 69, 73 (1984); Hosp. Bldg. Co. v. 

Trustees of Rex Hosp., 425 U.S. 738, 740 (1976); Love v. United States, 915 F.2d 1242, 1245 

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(9th Cir. 1989). Pro se pleadings are held to a less stringent standard than those drafted by 

lawyers. Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). However, the court need not accept as true 

conclusory allegations, unreasonable inferences, or unwarranted deductions of fact. Western 

Mining Council v. Watt, 643 F.2d 618, 624 (9th Cir. 1981).

The minimum requirements for a civil complaint in federal court, as explained by Rule 8 

of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (“Rules”), are as follows:

A pleading which sets forth a claim for relief . . . shall contain (1) a 

short and plain statement of the grounds upon which the court’s 

jurisdiction depends . . . , (2) a short and plain statement of the claim 

showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, and (3) a demand for 

judgment for the relief the pleader seeks.

Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a).

II. Plaintiff’s Complaint

The complaint alleges that the court of the “S.F. Division” of the Northern District of 

California “has denied accommodation to procedures from the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,” 

and provided “aid and comfort to violators that conspire to commit wire fraud against the United 

States.” (Compl. (ECF No. 1) at 5-6.) In this regard, the complaint alleges that “Clerk for Judge 

Beeler treats this Plaintiff differently,” and that “Judge Illman acted automatically to interfere 

with Plaintiff’s civil rights.” (Id. at 6.) That “Judge Chhabria was absent from judicial duties in 

his abandonment.” (Id.) And that the “Northern District’s intent; with their low balled level of 

sub standard accommodations” is to “intimidate” plaintiff. (Id.) 

“[T]he in forma pauperis statute . . . ‘accords judges not only the authority to dismiss a 

claim based on an indisputably meritless legal theory, but also the unusual power to pierce the 

veil of the complaint’s factual allegations and dismiss those claims whose factual contentions are 

clearly baseless.’” Denton v. Hernandez, 504 U.S. 25, 32 (1992) (quoting Neitzke, 490 U.S. at 

327). “Examples of the latter class are claims describing fantastic or delusional scenarios, claims 

with which federal district judges are all too familiar.” Neitzke, 490 U.S. at 328.

Here, the complaint’s allegations are clearly baseless. Even assuming, arguendo, that the 

complaint’s allegations were not baseless, judges are generally absolutely immune from civil 

liability for actions taken in their judicial capacity. Mireles v. Waco, 502 U.S. 9, 11-12 (1991). 

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And “[a]bsolute judicial immunity is not reserved solely for judges, but extends to nonjudicial 

officers for ‘all claims relating to the exercise of judicial functions.’” In re Castillo, 297 F.3d 

940, 947 (9th Cir. 2002) (quoting Burns v. Reed, 500 U.S. 478, 499 (1991) (Scalia, J., concurring 

in part and dissenting in part)). In this regard, judicial personnel “have absolute quasi-judicial 

immunity from damages for civil rights violations when they perform tasks that are an integral 

part of the judicial process.” Mullis v. U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Dist. of Nevada, 828 F.2d 

1385, 1390 (9th Cir. 1987). Thus, the complaint’s allegations concerning defendants’ conduct as 

it relates to the judicial process in the Northern District are barred by immunity. 

III. Leave to Amend

For the reasons stated above, plaintiff’s complaint should be dismissed. The undersigned 

has carefully considered whether plaintiff may further amend the complaint to state a claim upon 

which relief can be granted. “Valid reasons for denying leave to amend include undue delay, bad 

faith, prejudice, and futility.” California Architectural Bldg. Prod. v. Franciscan Ceramics, 818 

F.2d 1466, 1472 (9th Cir. 1988); see also Klamath-Lake Pharm. Ass’n v. Klamath Med. Serv. 

Bureau, 701 F.2d 1276, 1293 (9th Cir. 1983) (holding that while leave to amend shall be freely 

given, the court does not have to allow futile amendments). 

Here, given the defects noted above, the undersigned finds that granting plaintiff leave to 

amend would be futile. 

IV. Appointment of Counsel

On February 15, 2023, and April 3, 2023, plaintiff filed motions seeking the appointment 

of counsel. (ECF Nos. 4 & 6.) Plaintiff is informed that federal district courts lack authority to 

require counsel to represent indigent plaintiffs in civil cases. See Mallard v. United States Dist. 

Court, 490 U.S. 296, 298 (1989). The court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel 

under the federal in forma pauperis statute, but only under exceptional circumstances. See 28 

U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1); Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991); Wood v. 

Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1335-36 (9th Cir. 1990). The test for exceptional circumstances 

requires the court to evaluate the plaintiff’s likelihood of success on the merits and the plaintiff’s 

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ability to articulate his or her claims. See Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 

1986); Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954 (9th Cir. 1983). 

Here, in light of the above analysis, the undersigned cannot find at this time that the 

exceptional circumstances test has been satisfied. 

CONCLUSION

Accordingly, for the reasons stated above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s February 15, 2023 motion to appoint counsel (ECF No. 4) is denied 

without prejudice to renewal; and

2. Plaintiff’s April 3, 2023 motion to appoint counsel (ECF No. 6) is denied without 

prejudice to renewal.

Also, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that:

1. Plaintiff’s January 3, 2023 application to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2) be 

denied;

2. The complaint filed on January 3, 2023, be dismissed without prejudice; and

3. This action be dismissed.

These findings and recommendations will be submitted to the United States District Judge 

assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Within fourteen days 

after being served with these findings and recommendations, plaintiff may file written objections 

with the court. A document containing objections should be titled “Objections to Magistrate 

Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” Plaintiff is advised that failure to file objections within

the specified time may, under certain circumstances, waive the right to appeal the District Court’s 

order. See Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).

Dated: April 24, 2023

DLB:6

DB\orders\orders.pro se\pinzon0008.dism.f&rs

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