Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_05-cv-03458/USCOURTS-cand-3_05-cv-03458-0/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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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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1The other two named defendants are prison officials who allegedly reviewed and denied

administrative appeals by which plaintiff sought return of his property. 

United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHESTON H. MARKHAM,

Plaintiff,

 v.

G. HARRIS, et al.,

Defendants.

__________________________ 

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No. C 05-2438 MMC

ORDER OF DISMISSAL

Cheston Markham, an inmate currently incarcerated at the California Training Facility,

Soledad (“CTF”) and proceeding pro se, filed the above-titled civil rights action pursuant to 42

U.S.C. § 1983 against various CTF officials. Plaintiff has paid the filing fee.

BACKGROUND

Plaintiff alleges that during the course of his transfer from one wing of CTF to another,

he was temporarily housed in the “X-wing” and, while there, he was separated from his personal

property. Plaintiff further alleges that after approximately ten days, his property was returned

to him, but several books and other items were missing. Plaintiff claims that defendants Cox

and Lopez, two CTF guards, have improperly failed to return these items, as a means of

exacting retribution.1 In the instant action, plaintiff seeks to have the missing items returned. 

DISCUSSION

A. Standard of Review

A federal court must conduct a preliminary screening in any case in which a prisoner

seeks redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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U.S.C. § 1915A(a). In its review, the court must identify any cognizable claims and dismiss

any claims that are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted

or seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. See id.

§ 1915A(b)(1), (2). Pro se pleadings must, however, be liberally construed. See Balistreri v.

Pacifica Police Dep't, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1988). To state a claim under § 1983, a

plaintiff must allege two essential elements: (1) that a right secured by the Constitution or laws

of the United States was violated and (2) that the alleged violation was committed by a person

acting under the color of state law. See West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988).

B. Legal Claims

Plaintiff’s claim that prison officials improperly deprived him of his personal property

does not state a cognizable claim for a constitutional violation. The federal right to due

process does ordinarily require notice and an opportunity for some kind of hearing prior to the

deprivation of a significant property interest. See Memphis Light, Gas & Water Div. v. Craft,

436 U.S. 1, 19 (1978). Neither the negligent nor intentional deprivation of property states a

due process claim under § 1983, however, if the deprivation was random and unauthorized. See

Parratt v. Taylor, 451 U.S. 527, 535-44 (1981) (finding no claim where state employee

negligently lost prisoner's hobby kit), overruled in part on other grounds, Daniels v. Williams,

474 U.S. 327, 330-31 (1986); Hudson v. Palmer, 468 U.S. 517, 533 (1984) (finding no claim

for intentional destruction of inmate's property). The availability of an adequate state postdeprivation remedy, e.g., a state tort action, precludes relief because it provides sufficient

procedural due process. See Zinermon v. Burch, 494 U.S. 113, 128 (1990); King v.

Massarweh, 782 F.2d 825, 826 (9th Cir. 1986). California law provides such adequate postdeprivation remedy. See Barnett v. Centoni, 31 F.3d 813, 816-17 (9th Cir. 1994) (citing Cal.

Gov't Code §§ 810-895). Here, plaintiff alleges that the failure to return his property was not

authorized by prison rules, but instead was done for purposes of retribution. As such, the

alleged deprivation of plaintiff’s property was unauthorized and random, and does not implicate

his right to due process. Plaintiff may follow state law procedures for bringing a tort claim in

state court for the deprivation of his personal property. Such a claim, however, does not state a
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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cognizable claim for relief under federal law. 

CONCLUSION

For the reasons expressed, plaintiff's claims are DISMISSED for failure to state a

cognizable claim for relief. 

The Clerk shall close the file and terminate any pending motions.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: October 28, 2005

 

MAXINE M. CHESNEY

United States District Judge