Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-01688/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-01688-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHARLES D. BUSBY,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-07-1688 GEB GGH P

vs.

SACRAMENTO COUNTY 

SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with a civil rights action pursuant to

42 U.S.C. § 1983. Pending before the court is the amended complaint filed February 7, 2008. 

The only named defendant is the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. 

Plaintiff alleges that while he was incarcerated at the Sacramento County Jail, he was denied law

library access. Plaintiff alleges that without law library access, he was unable to assist in his own

defense. 

To establish a violation of the right of meaningful access to the courts, plaintiff

must show that he suffered an actual injury. Lewis v. Casey, 518 U.S. 343, 348-49, 116 S.Ct.

2174 (1996). As a criminal defendant, plaintiff has the right to retain counsel or to have counsel

appointed to represent him at no cost if he is indigent. Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335,

Case 2:07-cv-01688-KJD-PAL Document 24 Filed 08/08/08 Page 1 of 2
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342-45, 83 S.Ct. 792 (1963). Appointed counsel provides plaintiff with meaningful avenues of

access to the court. Storseth v. Spellman, 654 F.2d 1349, 1353 (9th Cir. 1981).

Plaintiff does not indicate whether he was represented by counsel in his criminal

case while housed at the Sacramento County Jail. If plaintiff was represented by counsel, then

his claim alleging violation of the right to access the courts as a result of inadequate law library

access is without merit. Accordingly, the amended complaint is dismissed with leave to file a

second amended complaint. If plaintiff was not represented by counsel during his criminal

action, he may file an amended complaint to clarify this matter.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the amended complaint filed February 7, 2008, is

dismissed with thirty days to file a second amended complaint.

DATED: 08/08/08

/s/ Gregory G. Hollows

 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

busby.dis

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