Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-01842/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-01842-0/pdf.json

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

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

WILLIAM SOTO,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-07-1842 FCD EFB P

vs.

DUEL VOCATIONAL

INSTITUTION, et al.,

Defendants. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 /

Plaintiff is a prisoner proceeding in forma pauperis and without counsel suing for alleged

civil rights violations. See 42 U.S.C. § 1983. In the September 6, 2007, complaint, plaintiff

names as defendants the “Duel Vocational Institution” and its Psychiatric Department. For the

reasons explained below, the court finds that claims against these defendants must be dismissed

without leave to amend.

Section 1983 provides for a cause of action against “any person” acting under color of

law to deprive an individual of any “rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution

or laws” of the United States. 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Neither states nor their agencies are persons

under § 1983. Will v. Michigan Dep’t of State Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71 (1989). Deuel Vocational

Institution and its Psychiatric Department are within the Department of Rehabilitation and

Corrections, a state agency. See Cal. Pen. Code §§ 5002, 5003 (West Supp. 2007). Thus, they

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are not “persons” for purposes of section 1983 and plaintiff cannot maintain this action against

them. Therefore, they must be dismissed. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915A; see also Lopez v. Smith, 203

F.3d 1122, 1128 (9th Cir. 2000) (indigent prisoner proceeding without counsel must be given

leave to file amended complaint unless the court can rule out any possibility that the plaintiff

could state a claim).

Accordingly, it is hereby recommended that claims against Deuel Vocational Institution

and its Psychiatric Department be dismissed with prejudice.

These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge

assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within twenty days

after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written

objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned

“Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” Failure to file objections

within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court’s order. Turner v.

Duncan, 158 F.3d 449, 455 (9th Cir. 1998); Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).

Dated: November 20, 2007.

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