Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-02130/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-02130-2/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 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ALFRED GRAYSON, 

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-06-2130 DFL CMK P

vs.

SMITH, et al., 

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis with an action

filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. By order filed November 13, 2006, plaintiff's complaint was

dismissed with leave to file an amended complaint. Plaintiff has now filed an amended

complaint.

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a), the court is required to screen complaints

brought by prisoners seeking relief against a governmental entity or officer or employee of a

governmental entity. Plaintiff’s amended complaint names O. Smith, Sergeant Oberst, S.L.

Chapman, R.E. Barnes, D.L. Porter, and N. Grannis as defendants. The gist of plaintiff’s

complaint is that defendant Smith confiscated several items of property from plaintiff, which

plaintiff was authorized to have, without due process. Plaintiff claims that the remaining

defendants denied his grievances concerning the confiscated property.

Case 2:06-cv-02130-JAM-CMK Document 12 Filed 12/12/06 Page 1 of 4
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By the court’s previous order, plaintiff was advised that a claim that defendants

denied his prison grievances was not cognizable in this action because inmates have no

legitimate claim of entitlement to a prison grievance procedure. See Mann v. Adams, 855 F.2d

639, 640 (9th Cir. 1988). Accordingly, plaintiff fails to state a claim against defendants

Chapman, Barnes, Porter, and Grannis. 

Deprivation of property without due process may state a cognizable civil rights

claim. The court therefore finds that plaintiff’s claim against defendant Smith for deprivation of

process is cognizable and service is appropriate for defendant Smith. The court will direct

service on defendant Smith by the U.S. Marshal without pre-payment of costs. Plaintiff is

informed, however, that this action cannot proceed further until plaintiff complies with this

order. Plaintiff is warned that failure to comply with this order may result in dismissal of the

action. See Local Rule 11-110. 

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Service is appropriate for defendant O. Smith 

2. The Clerk of the Court shall send plaintiff one USM-285 form, one summons,

an instruction sheet and a copy of the amended complaint filed November 29, 2006.

3. Within thirty days from the date of this order, plaintiff shall complete the

attached Notice of Submission of Documents and submit the following documents to the court:

a. The completed Notice of Submission of Documents;

b. One completed summons;

c. One completed USM-285 form for defendant Smith

d. Two copies of the endorsed amended complaint filed November 29,

2006. 

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4. Plaintiff need not attempt service on defendants and need not request waiver of

service. Upon receipt of the above-described documents, the court will direct the United States

Marshal to serve the above-named defendants pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4

without payment of costs. 

DATED: December 11, 2006.

______________________________________

CRAIG M. KELLISON

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:06-cv-02130-JAM-CMK Document 12 Filed 12/12/06 Page 3 of 4
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Plaintiff, No. CIV 

vs.

 NOTICE OF SUBMISSION

Defendants. OF DOCUMENTS

 /

Plaintiff hereby submits the following documents in compliance with the court's

order filed :

 completed summons form

 completed USM-285 forms

 copies of the 

 Amended Complaint

DATED: 

 

Plaintiff

Case 2:06-cv-02130-JAM-CMK Document 12 Filed 12/12/06 Page 4 of 4