Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00579/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00579-5/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

ERNEST MILLER,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-07-0579 LKK GGH P

vs.

HIGH DESERT STATE PRISON, et al.,

Defendants.

 / ORDER

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se. On December 3, 2007, the court

recommended that this action be dismissed for plaintiff’s failure to file a third amended

complaint. On December 21, 2007, plaintiff filed a third amended complaint. Good cause

appearing, the findings and recommendations are vacated.

The third amended complaint states a cognizable claim for relief as to defendants

Judd and Koller pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b). If the allegations of

the complaint are proven, plaintiff has a reasonable opportunity to prevail on the merits of this

action.

Also named as defendants are E. Swayze, K. Terry and Mrs. Barron. The third

amended complaint contains no specific allegations against these defendants.

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Case 2:07-cv-00579-LKK -GGH Document 35 Filed 01/31/08 Page 1 of 4
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The Civil Rights Act under which this action was filed provides as follows:

Every person who, under color of [state law] . . . subjects, or causes

to be subjected, any citizen of the United States . . . to the

deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the

Constitution . . . shall be liable to the party injured in an action at

law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress. 

42 U.S.C. § 1983. The statute requires that there be an actual connection or link between the

actions of the defendants and the deprivation alleged to have been suffered by plaintiff. See

Monell v. Department of Social Servs., 436 U.S. 658 (1978); Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362

(1976). “A person ‘subjects’ another to the deprivation of a constitutional right, within the

meaning of § 1983, if he does an affirmative act, participates in another's affirmative acts or

omits to perform an act which he is legally required to do that causes the deprivation of which

complaint is made.” Johnson v. Duffy, 588 F.2d 740, 743 (9th Cir. 1978).

Moreover, supervisory personnel are generally not liable under § 1983 for the

actions of their employees under a theory of respondeat superior and, therefore, when a named

defendant holds a supervisorial position, the causal link between him and the claimed

constitutional violation must be specifically alleged. See Fayle v. Stapley, 607 F.2d 858, 862

(9th Cir. 1979); Mosher v. Saalfeld, 589 F.2d 438, 441 (9th Cir. 1978), cert. denied, 442 U.S.

941 (1979). Vague and conclusory allegations concerning the involvement of official personnel

in civil rights violations are not sufficient. See Ivey v. Board of Regents, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th

Cir. 1982).

Because plaintiff has failed to link defendants Swayze, Terry and Barron to the

alleged deprivations, the court will separately recommend that they be dismissed.

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

1. The December 3, 2007, findings and recommendations are vacated;

2. Service is appropriate for the following defendants: Judd and Koller.

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

an instruction sheet and a copy of the third amended complaint filed December 21, 2007.

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4. 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 each defendant listed in number 3

above; and 

d. Three copies of the endorsed third amended complaint filed December

21, 2007. 

5. 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: 01/31/08 /s/ Gregory G. Hollows

 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

mill579.vac

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ERNEST MILLER,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-07-0579 LKK GGH P

vs.

HIGH DESERT STATE PRISON, et al., 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 

 Complaint/Amended Complaint

DATED: 

 

Plaintiff

Case 2:07-cv-00579-LKK -GGH Document 35 Filed 01/31/08 Page 4 of 4