Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_08-cv-00757/USCOURTS-cand-3_08-cv-00757-0/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.

OFFICER JONES, et al.,

Defendant(s). 

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No. C 08-0757 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

January 5, 2006, while he was at the San Francisco County Jail, jail officials used

excessive and unnecessary force against him and denied him subsequent medical

attention. Plaintiff names Officer Jones and various John and Jane 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

The use of force maliciously and sadistically to cause harm violates the

Eighth Amendment's proscription against cruel and unusual punishment. See

Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 6-7 (1992). So does deliberate indifference to

serious medical needs. See Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976). But in

order to state a cognizable claim for damages under § 1983, plaintiff must set

forth specific allegations showing how each defendant's actions and/or omissions

were the "actual and proximate cause" of the deprivation of which plaintiff

complains. See Leer v. Murphy, 844 F.2d 628, 634 (9th Cir. 1988). Plaintiff has

not done so.

Plaintiff may have a cognizable claim for damages under § 1983 against

Officer Jones and some of the individual Doe defendants. But in order to

proceed, plaintiff must identify the Doe defendants, and amend his complaint to

name them and Jones and set forth specific facts as to 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.

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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

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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