Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-almd-1_08-cv-00867/USCOURTS-almd-1_08-cv-00867-1/pdf.json

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

---

A prisoner who is allowed to proceed in forma pauperis in this court will have his complaint 1

screened in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). This screening procedure requires

the court to dismiss a prisoner’s civil action prior to service of process if it determines that the complaint is

frivolous, malicious, fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary damages from

a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i)-(iii).

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

SOUTHERN DIVISION

LERNARD LAMONT DUNCAN, )

)

 Plaintiff, )

)

v. ) CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:08-CV-867-TMH

) [WO]

)

HOUSTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S, )

DEPT., et al., )

)

 Defendants. )

RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE

This is a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action in which Lernard LaMont Duncan [“Duncan”],

an inmate confined in the Houston County Jail, alleges officers failed to protect him from

attack by another inmate and complains he is being denied adequate medical treatment for

injuries suffered in this attack. Duncan names the Houston County Sheriff’s Department

as a defendant in this cause of action. 

Upon review of the complaint, the court concludes that Duncan’s claims against the

Houston County Sheriff’s Department are due to be dismissed prior to service pursuant to

the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i). 

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DISCUSSION 

A county sheriff's department "is not a legal entity and, therefore, is not subject to

suit or liability under section 1983." Dean v. Barber, 951 F.2d 1210, 1214 (11 Cir. 1992). th

In light of the foregoing, the court concludes that the plaintiff's claims against the Houston

County Sheriff’s Department are due to be summarily dismissed as frivolous pursuant to

the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i). Id. 

CONCLUSION

Accordingly, it is the RECOMMENDATION of the Magistrate Judge that:

1. The plaintiff's claims against the Houston County Sheriff's Department be

dismissed with prejudice prior to service of process in accordance with the directives of

28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i).

2. The Houston County Sheriff’s Department be dismissed as a defendant in this

cause of action. 

3. This case, with respect to the plaintiff’s claims against defendants Hagler, Soden

and Smoak, be referred back to the undersigned for appropriate proceedings.

It is further 

ORDERED that on or before November 12, 2008 the parties may file objections to

this Recommendation. Any objections filed must specifically identify the findings in the

Magistrate Judge's Recommendation to which the partyis objecting. Frivolous, conclusive

or general objections will not be considered by the District Court. The parties are advised

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that this Recommendation is not a final order of the court and, therefore, it is not

appealable.

Failure to file written objections to the proposed findings and advisements in the

Magistrate Judge's Recommendation shall bar the party from a de novo determination by

the District Court of issues covered in the Recommendation and shall bar the party from

attacking on appeal factual findings in the Recommendation accepted or adopted by the

District Court except upon grounds of plain error or manifest injustice. Nettles v.

Wainwright, 677 F.2d 404 (5th Cir. 1982). See Stein v. Reynolds Securities, Inc., 667 F.2d

33 (11th Cir. 1982). See also Bonner v. City of Prichard, 661 F.2d 1206 (11th Cir. 1981,

en banc), adopting as binding precedent all of the decisions of the former Fifth Circuit 

handed down prior to the close of business on September 30, 1981.

Done this 30th day of October, 2008.

 /s/ Terry F. Moorer 

TERRY F. MOORER 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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