Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_12-cv-00125/USCOURTS-azd-2_12-cv-00125-0/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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WO 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

J.O. a minor, by JEROME and DENISE 

OVERSTREET, next best friends, 

Plaintiffs, 

v. 

CITY OF PHOENIX, et al., 

Defendants. 

No. CIV 12-0125 PHX DGC

ORDER 

 On July 9, 2012, Defendants Phoenix Union High School District, Luis Lemus, 

Craig Pletenik, and Lee Fernwault filed a motion to dismiss Plaintiff’s substantive due 

process claim. Doc. 37. Defendants argue that the Fourteenth Amendment does not 

protect public education as a substantive fundamental right. Id. Defendants cite Plyler v. 

Doe, 457 U.S. 202, 221 (1892) (“Public education is not a ‘right’ granted to individuals 

by the Constitution.”), and San Antonio Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 1, 35 

(1973) (“[e]ducation . . . is not among the rights afforded explicit protection under our 

Federal Constitution.”), to support their claim. Id.

 Plaintiff, who is represented by counsel, did not file a response to Defendants’ 

motion. When a party does not serve and file a required answering memoranda, Local 

Rule 7.2(i) permits the Court to dispose of the motion summarily. Moreover, it appears 

that Defendants’ arguments are well taken. 

 

Case 2:12-cv-00125-SMM Document 62 Filed 02/19/13 Page 1 of 2
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 IT IS ORDERED: 

1. Defendants’ motion to dismiss counts/claims: third claim (Doc. 37) is

granted. The third (substantive due process) claim for relief is hereby dismissed with

prejudice. 

 2. Defendants’ motion for summary adjudication (Doc. 58) is granted. 

 Dated this 19th day of February, 2013. 

Case 2:12-cv-00125-SMM Document 62 Filed 02/19/13 Page 2 of 2