Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_16-cv-00195/USCOURTS-ared-3_16-cv-00195-0/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 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

JONESBORO DIVISION 

DAMEON DAVIS 

ADC #153194 

v. No. 3:16-cv-195-DPM 

PLAINTIFF 

CURTIS WALKER, Prosecuting Attorney, 

Mississippi County; CHARLES E. ELLIS, 

Public Defender, Mississippi County DEFENDANTS 

ORDER 

1. Davis has filed a pro se complaint against his former public defender 

and a Mississippi County prosecutor. NQ 2. He says they violated his 

constitutional rights during his state criminal proceedings. And he wants 

either money or to be released from prison. NQ 2 at 8. 

2. The Court must sort out what kind of case this is. Davis can't pursue 

both damages and release in the same lawsuit. If he wants to sue for 

damages, then a § 1983 complaint is appropriate. (His claims may still be 

barred by other federal law, though. E.g., Heck v. Humphry, 512 U.S. 477, 

486-87 (1994)). If, on the other hand, Davis wants to challenge his conviction 

and try to get out of prison, then he must file a habeas corpus petition. Freiser 

v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 500 (1973). 

Case 3:16-cv-00195-DPM Document 3 Filed 08/16/16 Page 1 of 2
3. The Court needs clarification from Davis. He must file an amended 

pleading-either an amended§ 1983 complaint or a habeas corpus petition- by 

15 September 2016. If he doesn't, then his case will be dismissed without 

prejudice. LOCAL RULE 5.5(c)(2). 

4. The Court directs the Clerk to send Davis a § 1983 complaint form 

and a § 2254 habeas petition form with a copy of this Order. 

So Ordered. 

D.P. Marshall Jr. 

United States District Judge 

-2-

Case 3:16-cv-00195-DPM Document 3 Filed 08/16/16 Page 2 of 2