Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-arwd-5_06-cv-05119/USCOURTS-arwd-5_06-cv-05119-0/pdf.json

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

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

FAYETTEVILLE DIVISION

DAVID L. DANIELS PLAINTIFF

v. Civil No. 06-5119

 

JOHN R. VANWINKLE,

Attorney; IAN J. GILBERT,

Attorney; and CHRISTIE

P. DAVILA, Legal Assistant DEFENDANTS

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Plaintiff’s complaint was filed on June 29, 2006. He proceeds pro se and in forma

pauperis. Before the undersigned is the issue of whether the complaint should be served. 

BACKGROUND

Daniels is currently incarcerated in the Benton County Detention Center (BCDC). He

indicates he retained Ian Gilbert to represent him in connection with pending criminal charges.

Daniels alleges Gilbert charged him $1,300 and then failed to show up for arraignment and

otherwise did not represent Daniels in a manner he believed to be satisfactory. 

Additionally, Daniels alleges Christie Davila, a legal assistant for Gilbert, made a

prejudicial comment about his case. Daniels maintains the comment defamed his character.

Because Daniels was unhappy with the representation he was receiving, he wrote John

R. VanWinkle and informed him about the situation. Daniels asked for a refund of the fees he

had paid.

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DISCUSSION

Daniels’ claims are subject to dismissal. Ian Gilbert and John VanWinkle are not subject

to suit under § 1983. A § 1983 complaint must allege that each defendant, acting under color

of state law, deprived plaintiff of "rights, privileges or immunities secured by the Constitution

and laws" of the United States. 42 U.S.C. § 1983. DuBose v. Kelly, 187 F.3d 999 (8th Cir.

1999). An attorney does not act under color of state law while representing a client. Polk

County v. Dodson, 454 U.S. 312, 318, 102 S. Ct. 445, 70 L. Ed. 2d 509 (1981) (public defender

does not act under color of state law when performing traditional functions as counsel); DuBose

v. Kelly, 187 F.3d 999 (8th Cir. 1999)(“[C]onduct of counsel generally does not constitute action

under color of law.”); Dunn v. Hackworth, 628 F.2d 1111, 1112 (8th Cir. 1980)(“The actions of

privately retained counsel are not considered state action and therefore cannot form the basis of

a § 1983 claim.”).

Christie Davila is also a private individual who did not act under color of state law. 

Suarez v. Wimes, 996 F.2d 966 (8th Cir. 1993)(Claim alleges only actions by a private citizen

who was not acting under color of state law). Moreover, “defamation, per se, is not actionable

under section 1983.” Underwood v. Pritchard, 638 F.2d 60, 62 (8th Cir. 1981). See also Wade

v. Goodwin, 843 F.2d 1150, 1152 (8th Cir. 1988)(A cause of action for damage to character or

reputation is not cognizable under § 1983). The Supreme Court has held that a person's interest

in his reputation is not considered liberty or property protected by the due process clause. Paul

v. Davis, 424 U.S. 693, 96 S. Ct. 1155, 47 L. Ed. 2d 405 (1976). Thus, “regardless of whom a

plaintiff chooses to sue, section 1983 does not address an alleged injury to reputation.” Idema v.

Wager, 120 F. Supp. 2d 361, 371 (S.D.N.Y. 2000), aff’d 29 Fed. Appx. 676 (2d Cir. 2002). 

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CONCLUSION

I therefore recommend dismissal of the case on the grounds the claims are frivolous or

are not cognizable under § 1983. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i)-(iii)(IFP action, or any portion

thereof, may be dismissed on such grounds at any time).

Daniels has ten days from receipt of this report and recommendation in which to

file written objections pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). The failure to file timely

objections may result in waiver of the right to appeal questions of fact. Daniels is reminded

that objections must be both timely and specific to trigger de novo review by the district

court.

DATED this 5th day of July 2006.

/s/ Beverly Stites Jones 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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