Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-00469/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-00469-4/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LAVETTE SANDERS, individually and ) 

)

as guardian ad litem for the estate of ) 

Michael Sanders, )

 )

Plaintiff, )

)

v. )

)

THE CITY OF FRESNO a municipality; )

)

THE COUNTY OF FRESNO, a )

municipality; TASER )

INTERNATIONAL, Inc. a corporation )

doing business in California; JERRY )

DYER, an individual; and DOES 1 )

through 10, inclusive, )

)

Defendants. )

)

____________________________________)

CIV F 05-0469 AWI SMS

ORDER ON COUNTY OF

FRESNO’S MOTION TO

STRIKE

This is a civil action for damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and California state law in

connection with the death of Michael Sanders. In a prior motion to strike brought by the County,

this Court struck the punitive damages allegations against both the County of Fresno and the City

of Fresno with prejudice. In her First Amended Complaint, Plaintiff again requested punitive

damages against the City and the County in the third paragraph of the prayer for relief. The

County of Fresno filed this motion to strike Plaintiff’s allegations for punitive damages against

the County and the City. Plaintiff has filed a notice of non-opposition. 

Case 1:05-cv-00469-AWI -SMS Document 41 Filed 12/13/05 Page 1 of 2
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A motion to strike may be used to strike a prayer for relief where the damages sought are

not recoverable as a matter of law. Gay-Straight Alliance Network v. Visalia Unified School

Dist., 262 F.Supp.2d 1088, 1110-11 (E.D. Cal. 2001); see also Fed. R. Civ. Pro. 12(f). Punitive

damages or damages intended to punish or create an example are not available against public

entities such as counties and cities under either 42 U.S.C. § 1983 or state law. City of Newport

v. Fact Concerts, Inc., 453 U.S. 247, 271 (1981); Ruvalcaba v. City of Los Angeles, 167 F.3d

514, 524 (9th Cir. 1999); Mitchell v. Dupnik, 75 F.3d 517, 527 (9th Cir. 1996); Cal. Gov’t Code

818; Kizer v. County of San Mateo, 53 Cal.3d 139, 145 (1991);State Dept. of Corrections v.

Workmen's Comp. App. Bd., 5 Cal.3d 885, 891 (1971); Marron v. Superior Court, 108

Cal.App.4th 1049, 1059 (2003). Defendant’s motion to strike is once again well taken.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the County’s motion to strike is

GRANTED and Plaintiff’s claims for punitive damages against the County of Fresno and the

City of Fresno are STRUCK with prejudice from this action.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 12, 2005 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

0m8i78 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:05-cv-00469-AWI -SMS Document 41 Filed 12/13/05 Page 2 of 2