Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_08-cv-00802/USCOURTS-cand-3_08-cv-00802-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JEFFERY E. WALKER, 

Plaintiff(s),

 vs.

JOHN DOE, et al.,

Defendant(s). 

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No. C 08-0802 CRB (PR)

ORDER OF DISMISSAL WITH

LEAVE TO AMEND

Plaintiff, a prisoner at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, has

filed a pro se complaint for damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging that on

December 18, 2005, while he was at the San Francisco County Jail, two

correctional officers slammed him against a window, hit him in the face and

body, forcibly dragged him to his cell and called him derogatory names. 

Plaintiff only names Doe defendants.

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

Although regrettable, plaintiff's allegations that correctional officers called

him derogatory names is not enough to implicate the Eighth Amendment. See

Oltarzewski v. Ruggiero, 830 F.2d 136, 139 (9th Cir. 1987) (directing vulgar

language at prisoner does not state constitutional claim). But plaintiff's

allegations of use of excessive force may well state a claim for damages under §

1983. See Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 6-7 (1992) (use of force

maliciously and sadistically to cause harm violates 8th Amendment's proscription

against cruel and unusual punishment). In order to proceed, however, plaintiff

must identify the Doe defendants, and amend his complaint to name them and set

forth specific facts showing how each individual defendant violated his rights. 

See Wakefield v. Thompson, 177 F.3d 1160, 1163 (9th Cir. 1999). Plaintiff will

be afforded 30 days from the date of this order to identify the unknown Doe

defendants and amend his complaint.

CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, the complaint is dismissed with leave to amend,

as indicated above, within 30 days of this order. The pleading must be simple

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and concise and must include the caption and civil case number used in this order

and the words FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT on the first page. Failure to

file a proper amended complaint within the designated time will result in the

dismissal of this action.

Plaintiff is advised that the amended complaint will supersede the original

complaint and all other pleadings. Claims and defendants not included in the

amended complaint will not be considered by the court. See King v. Atiyeh, 814

F.2d 565, 567 (9th Cir. 1987).

SO ORDERED.

DATED: March 14, 2008 

CHARLES R. BREYER

United States District Judge

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