Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_08-cv-00756/USCOURTS-cand-3_08-cv-00756-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MARK EVAN ODELL, 

Plaintiff(s),

 vs.

COUNTY OF BUTTE, et al.,

Defendant(s). 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

No. C 08-0756 CRB (PR)

ORDER OF DISMISSAL WITH

LEAVE TO AMEND

Plaintiff, a prisoner at San Quentin State Prison, has filed a pro se civil

rights complaint for damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the County of

Butte, Butte County superior court, Butte County sheriff's office and Napa State

Hospital. The complaint in unsigned and devoid of any specific facts, however.

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

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).

Case 3:08-cv-00756-CRB Document 4 Filed 06/23/08 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 2

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

In order to state a claim for damages under § 1983, a plaintiff must allege

specific facts showing how each named defendant actually and proximately

caused the deprivation of a federally protected right. See Leer v. Murphy, 844

F.2d 628, 634 (9th Cir. 1988). Plaintiff has not done so. Nor has he signed his

complaint. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 11(a).

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: June 23, 2008 

CHARLES R. BREYER

United States District Judge

G:\PRO-SE\CRB\CR.08\Odell, M1.dwlta.wpd

Case 3:08-cv-00756-CRB Document 4 Filed 06/23/08 Page 2 of 2