Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-00735/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-00735-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOEL THOMAS TOLER,

NO. CIV. S-06-735 LKK/DAD

Plaintiff,

v. O R D E R

DAVID PAULSON; COUNTY OF SOLANO; 

AL GARZA; and BROOK BYERLEY,

Defendants.

 /

At the hearing on defendants’ motion to dismiss, the court

ordered supplemental briefing on the issue of whether the

individual defendants are not entitled absolute witness immunity

for their actions in seeking and obtaining the temporary

restraining order because they acted as “complaining witnesses.”

See, e.g., Gionis v. Javitch, Block, & Rathbone, LLP, 238 Fed.

Appx. 24, 27 (6th Cir. 2007) (holding that defendant acted as

complaining witness where a misleading affidavit was attached to

a civil complaint).

Plaintiff shall also file supplemental briefing on a second

Case 2:06-cv-00735-LKK -DAD Document 40 Filed 01/15/08 Page 1 of 2
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issue. If he continues to name Solano County as a defendant in his

second amended complaint (or defendants Paulson, Byerley, or Garza

in their official capacities), he must allege a basis for municipal

liability. See Gillette v. Delmore, 979 F.2d 1342, 1346 (9th Cir.

1992); Weiner v. San Diego County, 210 F.3d 1025, 1028 (9th Cir.

2000). The present complaint is bereft of any allegation as to an

official policy, custom, or practice, and it is unclear whether

defendants Paulson, Garza, and/or Byerley acted with final

policymaking authority for their role in seeking and obtaining the

temporary restraining order. See, e.g., Pembaur v. City of

Cincinnatti, 475 U.S. 469, 484 (1986) (holding that prosecutor had

authority for making final decision and thus his decision

constituted the city’s official policy).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: January 15, 2008.

Case 2:06-cv-00735-LKK -DAD Document 40 Filed 01/15/08 Page 2 of 2