Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-05071/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-05071-0/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 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

FERNANDO LOPEZ, 

Plaintiff(s),

 v.

M. S. EVANS, J. CELAYA, M.

WALKER AND E. CAMARENA, 

Defendant(s). 

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No. C 06-5071 TEH (PR)

ORDER OF SERVICE 

(Docket nos. 2, 4)

Plaintiff, a prisoner at Salinas Valley State Prison, has filed a pro se civil

rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging that prison officials failed to

provide him with due process in connection with the investigation of a

disciplinary action against him. Plaintiff seeks leave to proceed in forma

pauperis, which is granted in a separate order filed simultaneously (docket no. 2). 

Plaintiff also seeks appointment of counsel (docket no. 4), which is DENIED for

the reasons set forth below. Plaintiff seeks injunctive and monetary relief. This

order directs service of the complaint on Defendant Walker. 

 DISCUSSION

A. Standard of Review

Federal courts must engage in a preliminary screening of cases in which

prisoners seek redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a

governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The court must identify cognizable

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claims or dismiss the complaint, or any portion of the complaint, if the complaint

"is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be

granted," or "seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such

relief." Id. § 1915A(b). Pro se pleadings must be liberally construed, however. 

Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep't, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990).

To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege two 

elements: (1) that a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States

was violated, and (2) that the alleged violation was committed by a person acting

under the color of state law. West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988).

B. Legal Claims

Liberally construed, Plaintiff's allegations state a claim for denial of

procedural due process against Defendant N. Walker and will be served. See

Wolff v McDonnell, 418 U.S. 539, 566 (1974) ("inmate facing disciplinary

proceedings should be allowed to call witnesses and present documentary

evidence in his defense when permitting him to do so will not be unduly

hazardous to institutional safety or correctional goals"); Superintendent v. Hill,

472 U.S. 445, 455 (1985) (some evidence in the record must support conclusion

reached by disciplinary board). 

Plaintiff’s claims against Warden Evans fail because Plaintiff has alleged

no basis for liability on his part and it is well-established that there is no

respondeat superior liability under 42 USC § 1983. Or, in layman's terms, that

there is no liability under § 1983 solely because one is responsible for the actions

or omissions of another. See Taylor v List, 880 F2d 1040, 1045 (9th Cir 1989).

In addition, Plaintiff’s claims against Defendants Camarena and Celaya also fail,

as Plaintiff has not alleged the violation of his constitutional rights by either of

these Defendants. If Plaintiff can make such a showing, he may seek leave to file

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an amended complaint. 

C. Motion for Counsel

Plaintiff has filed a motion seeking appointment of counsel based on

limited access to the law library and knowledge of the law (docket no. 4). 

CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons and for good cause shown,

1. The Clerk shall issue summons and the United States Marshal shall

serve, without prepayment of fees, copies of the complaint in this matter, all

attachments thereto, and copies of this order on the Defendant N. Walker at

Salinas Valley State Prison. The Clerk also shall serve a copy of this order on

plaintiff.

2. All claims against Defendants Evans, Camarena and Celaya are

DISMISSED and the Clerk shall TERMINATE them as Defendants in this

action. 

3. All communications by Plaintiff with the Court must be served on

defendants, or defendants' counsel once counsel has been designated, by mailing

a true copy of the document to Defendants or Defendants' counsel.

4. It is Plaintiff's responsibility to prosecute this case. Plaintiff must

keep the court and all parties informed of any change of address and must comply

with the court's orders in a timely fashion. Failure to do so may result in the

dismissal of this action under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b).

SO ORDERED.

DATED: 03/06/07 THELTON E. HENDERSON

United States District Judge

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