Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_14-cv-01508/USCOURTS-azd-2_14-cv-01508-0/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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MGD 

WO 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 

James Norman Ziegenfuss, Jr., 

Plaintiff, 

vs. 

Joseph M. Arpaio, et al., 

Defendants. 

No. CV 14-1508-PHX-DGC (DKD) 

ORDER 

Plaintiff James Norman Ziegenfuss, Jr., who is confined in the Maricopa County 

Tent City Jail, has filed a pro se civil rights Complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 

(Doc. 1) and an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Doc. 2). The Court will 

dismiss the Complaint with leave to amend. 

I. Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis and Filing Fee

 Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis will be granted. 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(a). Plaintiff must pay the statutory filing fee of $350.00. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). 

The Court will not assess an initial partial filing fee. Id. The statutory filing fee will be 

collected monthly in payments of 20% of the previous month’s income credited to 

Plaintiff’s trust account each time the amount in the account exceeds $10.00. 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(b)(2). The Court will enter a separate Order requiring the appropriate government 

agency to collect and forward the fees according to the statutory formula. 

. . . . 

. . . . 

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II. Statutory Screening of Prisoner Complaints

 The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief 

against a governmental entity or an officer or an employee of a governmental entity. 28 

U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if a plaintiff 

has raised claims that are legally frivolous or malicious, that fail to state a claim upon 

which relief may be granted, or that seek monetary relief from a defendant who is 

immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1)–(2). 

 A pleading must contain a “short and plain statement of the claim showing that the 

pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2) (emphasis added). While Rule 8 

does not demand detailed factual allegations, “it demands more than an unadorned, thedefendant-unlawfully-harmed-me accusation.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 

(2009). “Threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere 

conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Id. 

 “[A] complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a 

claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Id. (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 

550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). A claim is plausible “when the plaintiff pleads factual 

content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable 

for the misconduct alleged.” Id. “Determining whether a complaint states a plausible 

claim for relief [is] . . . a context-specific task that requires the reviewing court to draw 

on its judicial experience and common sense.” Id. at 679. Thus, although a plaintiff’s 

specific factual allegations may be consistent with a constitutional claim, a court must 

assess whether there are other “more likely explanations” for a defendant’s conduct. Id.

at 681. 

 But as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has instructed, 

courts must “continue to construe pro se filings liberally.” Hebbe v. Pliler, 627 F.3d 338, 

342 (9th Cir. 2010). A “complaint [filed by a pro se prisoner] ‘must be held to less 

stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers.’” Id. (quoting Erickson v. 

Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007) (per curiam)). 

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 If the Court determines that a pleading could be cured by the allegation of other 

facts, a pro se litigant is entitled to an opportunity to amend a complaint before dismissal 

of the action. See Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1127-29 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). 

Plaintiff’s Complaint will be dismissed for failure to state a claim, but because it may 

possibly be amended to state a claim, the Court will dismiss it with leave to amend. 

III. Complaint 

 Plaintiff names the following Defendants in his two-count Complaint: Maricopa 

County Sheriff Joseph M. Arpaio; the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors; Maricopa 

County Jails; Fulton Brock; Don Stapley; Andrew Kunasek; Max Wilson; Mary Rose 

Wilcox; Maricopa County Tents Jail; Commander John Doe; and MCSO Kitchen 

Supervisor “Et, Al.” Plaintiff seeks damages and training for food handlers. He also 

wants felons who have been out of prison for more than a year to be allowed to visit 

family members in jail. 

 In Count One, Plaintiff asserts a Fourth Amendment “discrimination” claim and 

alleges the following facts: Defendants Arpaio, Maricopa County Jails, Brock, Stapley, 

Kunasek, Wilson, Wilcox, and Maricopa County Supervisors implemented written rules, 

regulations, directives and policies that are discriminatory and prejudicial to “any and all 

felons to visit anyone in M.C.S.O. jails, be it relative, family member or fiancé of any 

felon to visit an inmate here at M.C.S.O.” However, a person who has been released 

from jail can “visit anyone after 12 months expired.” Plaintiff is unable “to have the 

same visits [with his] loved ones because they are felons and denied [] visitation rights.” 

This has harmed Plaintiff and his family members. Plaintiff’s fiancée is not allowed to 

visit him “because her felony was over 15 years ago” and there is no “time limit on felons 

but there is on anyone else.” Plaintiff is being discriminated against, and the rule is 

prejudicial against felons and families. In addition, the rule is “constitutionally unfair” 

and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. 

 In Count Two, Plaintiff asserts a threat to safety claim and alleges the following 

facts: Defendants Arpaio, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and Maricopa County 

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Jails failed to follow rules, regulations, policy and procedures in preparing Plaintiff’s 

meals “and with deliberate indifference failed to remove pebbles from [Plaintiff’s] soy 

beans causing 2 of [his] back teeth to crack in half while eating [his] meal.” The kitchen 

supervisor is supposed to check the beans for pebbles before cooking, but “with 

deliberate indifference caused a serious medical injury” to Plaintiff’s mouth. This is a 

violation of Plaintiff’s “civil right to be free from danger while eating” and a threat to 

Plaintiff’s safety. Plaintiff has been waiting for three weeks to see a dentist, and his first 

health needs request was lost. Plaintiff has “lots of pain and suffering.” 

IV. Failure to State a Claim 

 To prevail in a § 1983 claim, a plaintiff must show that (1) acts by the defendants 

(2) under color of state law (3) deprived him of federal rights, privileges or immunities 

and (4) caused him damage. Thornton v. City of St. Helens, 425 F.3d 1158, 1163-64 (9th 

Cir. 2005) (quoting Shoshone-Bannock Tribes v. Idaho Fish & Game Comm’n, 42 F.3d 

1278, 1284 (9th Cir. 1994)). In addition, a plaintiff must allege that he suffered a specific 

injury as a result of the conduct of a particular defendant and he must allege an 

affirmative link between the injury and the conduct of that defendant. Rizzo v. Goode, 

423 U.S. 362, 371-72, 377 (1976). 

 A. Maricopa County Board of Supervisors 

 The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and the individual members of that 

Board (Defendants Brock, Stapley, Kunasek, Wilson, and Wilcox) are not proper 

Defendants and must be dismissed. Local government bodies, such as Arizona counties, 

are persons under § 1983 and may be sued for constitutional injuries. Liability may be 

imposed on the county if a plaintiff establishes that his injuries were inflicted pursuant to 

an official county policy or custom. Thompson v. City of Los Angeles, 885 F.2d 1439, 

1443 (9th Cir. 1989) (citations omitted). Official county policy may only be set by an 

official with “final policymaking authority.” Id. (citing Pembaur v. City of Cincinnati, 

475 U.S. 469, 481-83 (1986) (plurality opinion)). To identify those officials with “final 

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policymaking authority,” the Court looks to state law. Id. (citing City of St. Louis v. 

Praprotnik, 485 U.S. 112, 126 (1988) (plurality opinion) (quotations omitted)). 

 In Arizona, the responsibility of operating jails is placed by law upon the Sheriff, 

not on the county’s Board of Supervisors. See Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 11-441(A)(5); Ariz. 

Rev. Stat. § 31-101. Therefore, the Board of Supervisors is not liable to Plaintiff under 

§ 1983 because it lacks authority to establish an official policy with respect to the 

operation of the jail. Further, the Board cannot be held liable for the actions of the 

Sheriff or his deputies on a theory of respondeat superior liability. See Thompson, 885 

F.2d at 1443. Accordingly, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and the individual 

members of the Board (Defendants Brock, Stapley, Kunasek, Wilson, and Wilcox) will 

be dismissed. 

 B. Jails 

 Plaintiff sues the Maricopa County Jails and the Maricopa County Tents Jail. 

However, a jail is not a proper defendant. Claims under § 1983 are directed at “bodies 

politic and corporate.” Monell v. Dep’t of Soc. Servs of New York, 436 U.S. 658, 688-89 

(1978). Under the Civil Rights Act of 1871, Congress intended municipalities and other 

local government units to be included among those persons to whom § 1983 applies. Id.

at 689-690. Because a jail is neither a corporation nor a body politic, it is not a “person” 

for purposes of § 1983. See, e.g., Petaway v. City of New Haven Police Dep’t, 541 F. 

Supp.2d 504 (D. Conn. 2008); Pahle v. Colebrookdale Tp., 227 F. Supp.2d 361 (E.D. Pa. 

2002). Accordingly, the Maricopa County Jails and the Maricopa County Tents Jail are 

dismissed. 

 C. Commander John Doe 

 Plaintiff sues Commander John Doe at the Maricopa County Tents Jail. “A 

plaintiff must allege facts, not simply conclusions, that show that an individual was 

personally involved in the deprivation of his civil rights.” Barren v. Harrington, 152 

F.3d 1193, 1194 (9th Cir. 1998). For an individual to be liable in his official capacity, a 

plaintiff must allege that the official acted as a result of a policy, practice, or custom. See 

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Cortez v. County of Los Angeles, 294 F.3d 1186, 1188 (9th Cir. 2002). Further, there is 

no respondeat superior liability under § 1983, so a defendant’s position as the supervisor 

of someone else who allegedly violated a plaintiff’s constitutional rights does not make 

the supervisor liable. Monell, 436 U.S. at 691; Taylor v. List, 880 F.2d 1040, 1045 (9th 

Cir. 1989). A supervisor in his individual capacity “is only liable for constitutional 

violations of his subordinates if the supervisor participated in or directed the violations, 

or knew of the violations and failed to act to prevent them.” Taylor, 880 F.2d at 1045. 

 Plaintiff fails to allege any facts regarding Defendant Commander John Doe in his 

Complaint. Plaintiff does not allege that Defendant Commander John Doe directly 

violated Plaintiff’s constitutional rights. Moreover, Plaintiff does not allege facts 

showing that Defendant Commander John Doe violated Plaintiff’s constitutional rights 

pursuant to a policy, practice, or custom, or that Defendant Commander John Doe 

participated in or directed any violations of Plaintiff’s rights, or knew of any violations of 

Plaintiff’s rights but failed to act to prevent them. Accordingly, Plaintiff fails to state a 

claim against Defendant Commander John Doe, and Defendant Commander John Doe 

will be dismissed. 

D. Count One 

 Plaintiff alleges that his Fourth Amendment rights have been violated by a jail 

policy prohibiting felons from visiting inmates at the jail, which Plaintiff alleges is 

discriminatory. The Fourth Amendment provides: 

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, 

papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and 

seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, 

but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, 

and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the 

persons or things to be seized. 

The Fourth Amendment does not apply to Plaintiff’s claim. However, because 

Plaintiff alleges that the jail policy is discriminatory, it appears Plaintiff may have 

intended to assert a Fourteenth Amendment equal protection claim. Generally, “[t]o state 

a claim . . . for a violation of the Equal Protection Clause . . . [,] a plaintiff must show that 

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the defendants acted with an intent or purpose to discriminate against the plaintiff based 

upon membership in a protected class.” Barren v. Harrington, 152 F.3d 1193, 1194 (9th 

Cir. 1998). Plaintiff has not alleged he is a member of a protected class. Nor are felons a 

protected class. Plaintiff does allege that the jail rule “is prejudice against felons and 

families.” However, Plaintiff may not assert claims on behalf of other individuals. A 

“‘plaintiff generally must assert his own legal rights and interests, and cannot assert the 

legal rights or interests of third parties.’” Mothershed v. Justices of the Supreme Court, 

410 F.3d 602, 610 (9th Cir. 2005) (quoting Warth v. Seldin, 422 U.S. 490, 499 (1975)). 

 Moreover, the Supreme Court has held that pretrial detainees do not have a right to 

unfettered visitation. See Block v. Rutherford, 468 U.S. 576, 585-89 (1984) (upholding a 

blanket prohibition on contact visitation for pretrial criminal detainees as reasonably 

related to a legitimate government interest in security). Additionally, the Ninth Circuit 

has squarely held that prisoners have no right to contact visitation. Gerber v. Hickman, 

291 F.3d 617, 621 (9th Cir. 2002); Barnett v. Centoni, 31 F.3d 813, 817 (9th Cir. 1994); 

Toussaint v. McCarthy, 801 F.2d 1080, 1113 (9th Cir. 1986) (“To the extent that denial of 

contact visitation is restrictive and even harsh, it is part of the penalty that criminals pay 

for their offenses against society.”), abrogated in part on other grounds by Sandin v. 

Conner, 515 U.S. 472 (1995). 

 Accordingly, Count One will be dismissed. 

E. Count Two 

 Plaintiff alleges a threat to safety claim in Count Two because he broke two teeth 

on food at the jail that contained pebbles. A claim for threat to safety arises under the 

Fourteenth Amendment as to pretrial detainees and under the Eighth Amendment as to 

convicted inmates. Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 535 and n.16 (1979). Nevertheless, the 

same standards are applied, requiring proof that the defendant acted with deliberate 

indifference. See Frost v. Agnos, 152 F.3d 1124, 1128 (9th Cir. 1998). To state a claim 

under § 1983 for threat to safety, an inmate must allege facts to support that he was 

incarcerated under conditions posing a substantial risk of harm and that prison officials 

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were “deliberately indifferent” to those risks. Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 832-33 

(1994). To adequately allege deliberate indifference, a plaintiff must allege facts to 

support that a defendant knew of, but disregarded, an excessive risk to inmate safety. Id.

at 837. That is, “the official must both [have been] aware of facts from which the 

inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious harm exist[ed], and he must 

also [have] draw[n] the inference.” Id.

 Plaintiff alleges that the kitchen supervisor is supposed to check the beans for 

pebbles before cooking, but “with deliberate indifference caused a serious medical 

injury” to Plaintiff’s mouth. However, Plaintiff has not alleged facts to support that the 

supervisor or anyone else was aware of the presence of pebbles in Plaintiff’s food or that 

such presence rose to the level of an excessive risk to inmate safety, such as, for example, 

alleging the frequency of inmates being injured from pebbles in the food. Plaintiff also 

has not alleged facts to support that any Defendant knew or should have known that the 

presence of pebbles in the food posed an excessive risk to inmate safety. For these 

reasons, Plaintiff fails to state a constitutional claim for threat to safety, and Count Two 

will be dismissed. 

 Plaintiff also alleges that he has been waiting for three weeks to see a dentist, and 

that he has “lots of pain and suffering.” It appears that Plaintiff may be attempting to 

allege that he has been denied constitutionally adequate medical care. To the extent he is, 

Plaintiff should be aware that not every claim by a prisoner relating to inadequate medical 

treatment states a violation of the Eighth or Fourteenth Amendment. To state a § 1983 

medical claim, a plaintiff must show that the defendants acted with “deliberate 

indifference to serious medical needs.” Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 

2006) (quoting Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976)). A plaintiff must show (1) a 

“serious medical need” by demonstrating that failure to treat the condition could result in 

further significant injury or the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain and (2) the 

defendant’s response was deliberately indifferent. Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096 (quotations 

omitted). 

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 “Deliberate indifference is a high legal standard.” Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 

1051, 1060 (9th Cir. 2004). To act with deliberate indifference, a prison official must 

both know of and disregard an excessive risk to inmate health; “the official must both be 

aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious 

harm exists, and he must also draw the inference.” Farmer, 511 U.S. at 837. Deliberate 

indifference in the medical context may be shown by a purposeful act or failure to 

respond to a prisoner’s pain or possible medical need and harm caused by the 

indifference. Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096. Deliberate indifference may also be shown when a 

prison official intentionally denies, delays, or interferes with medical treatment or by the 

way prison doctors respond to the prisoner’s medical needs. Estelle, 429 U.S. at 104-05; 

Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096. 

 Deliberate indifference is a higher standard than negligence or lack of ordinary 

due care for the prisoner’s safety. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 835. “Neither negligence nor 

gross negligence will constitute deliberate indifference.” Clement v. California Dep’t of 

Corr., 220 F. Supp. 2d 1098, 1105 (N.D. Cal. 2002); see also Broughton v. Cutter Labs., 

622 F.2d 458, 460 (9th Cir. 1980) (mere claims of “indifference,” “negligence,” or 

“medical malpractice” do not support a claim under § 1983). “A difference of opinion 

does not amount to deliberate indifference to [a plaintiff’s] serious medical needs.” 

Sanchez v. Vild, 891 F.2d 240, 242 (9th Cir. 1989). A mere delay in medical care, 

without more, is insufficient to state a claim against prison officials for deliberate 

indifference. See Shapley v. Nevada Bd. of State Prison Comm’rs, 766 F.2d 404, 407 

(9th Cir. 1985). The indifference must be substantial. The action must rise to a level of 

“unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain.” Estelle, 429 U.S. at 105. To state a claim 

of deliberate indifference, plaintiffs must meet a two-part test. “First, the alleged 

constitutional deprivation must be, objectively, sufficiently serious”; and the “official’s 

act or omission must result in the denial of the minimal civilized measure of life’s 

necessities.” Id. at 834 (internal quotations omitted). Second, the prison official must 

have a “sufficiently culpable state of mind,” i.e., he must act with “deliberate indifference 

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to inmate health or safety.” Id. (internal quotations omitted). In defining “deliberate 

indifference” in this context, the Supreme Court has imposed a subjective test: “the 

official must both be aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a 

substantial risk of serious harm exists, and he must also draw the inference.” Id. at 837 

(emphasis added). 

 In this case, Plaintiff has failed to allege sufficient facts to support that any named 

Defendant was deliberately indifferent to a serious medical need. 

V. Leave to Amend 

 For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s Complaint will be dismissed for failure to 

state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Within 30 days, Plaintiff may submit a 

first amended complaint to cure the deficiencies outlined above. The Clerk of Court will 

mail Plaintiff a court-approved form to use for filing a first amended complaint. If 

Plaintiff fails to use the court-approved form, the Court may strike the amended 

complaint and dismiss this action without further notice to Plaintiff. 

 If Plaintiff files an amended complaint, Plaintiff must write short, plain statements 

telling the Court: (1) the constitutional right Plaintiff believes was violated; (2) the name 

of the Defendant who violated the right; (3) exactly what that Defendant did or failed to 

do; (4) how the action or inaction of that Defendant is connected to the violation of 

Plaintiff’s constitutional right; and (5) what specific injury Plaintiff suffered because of 

that Defendant’s conduct. See Rizzo, 423 U.S. at 371-72, 377. 

 Plaintiff must repeat this process for each person he names as a Defendant. If 

Plaintiff fails to affirmatively link the conduct of each named Defendant with the specific 

injury suffered by Plaintiff, the allegations against that Defendant will be dismissed for 

failure to state a claim. Conclusory allegations that a Defendant or group of 

Defendants has violated a constitutional right are not acceptable and will be 

dismissed. Plaintiff must also follow all instructions for filing an amended complaint, 

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including the instruction that the complaint must be “neatly handwritten.”1 

 Plaintiff must clearly designate on the face of the document that it is the “First 

Amended Complaint.” The first amended complaint must be retyped or rewritten in its 

entirety on the court-approved form and may not incorporate any part of the original 

Complaint by reference. Plaintiff may include only one claim per count. 

 A first amended complaint supersedes the original complaint. Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 

963 F.2d 1258, 1262 (9th Cir. 1992); Hal Roach Studios v. Richard Feiner & Co., 896 

F.2d 1542, 1546 (9th Cir. 1990). After amendment, the Court will treat an original 

complaint as nonexistent. Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262. Any cause of action that was raised 

in the original complaint and that was voluntarily dismissed or was dismissed without 

prejudice is waived if it is not alleged in a first amended complaint. Lacey v. Maricopa 

County, 693 F.3d 896, 928 (9th Cir. 2012) (en banc). 

VI. Warnings

A. Release

 Plaintiff must pay the unpaid balance of the filing fee within 120 days of his 

release. Also, within 30 days of his release, he must either (1) notify the Court that he 

intends to pay the balance or (2) show good cause, in writing, why he cannot. Failure to 

comply may result in dismissal of this action. 

B. Address Changes

 Plaintiff must file and serve a notice of a change of address in accordance with 

Rule 83.3(d) of the Local Rules of Civil Procedure. Plaintiff must not include a motion 

for other relief with a notice of change of address. Failure to comply may result in 

dismissal of this action. 

. . . . 

. . . . 

 

1

 The handwriting on Plaintiff’s Complaint is nearly illegible. Failure to follow all 

instructions, including the instruction to write neatly, may result in an amended complaint 

being stricken or dismissed. 

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C. Copies

 Plaintiff must submit an additional copy of every filing for use by the Court. See

LRCiv 5.4. Failure to comply may result in the filing being stricken without further 

notice to Plaintiff. 

 D. Possible “Strike”

 Because the Complaint has been dismissed for failure to state a claim, if Plaintiff 

fails to file an amended complaint correcting the deficiencies identified in this Order, the 

dismissal may count as a “strike” under the “3-strikes” provision of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). 

Under the 3-strikes provision, a prisoner may not bring a civil action or appeal a civil 

judgment in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 “if the prisoner has, on 3 or more 

prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action or appeal 

in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, 

malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner 

is under imminent danger of serious physical injury.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). 

E. Possible Dismissal

 If Plaintiff fails to timely comply with every provision of this Order, including 

these warnings, the Court may dismiss this action without further notice. See Ferdik, 963 

F.2d at 1260-61 (a district court may dismiss an action for failure to comply with any 

order of the Court). 

IT IS ORDERED: 

 (1) Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Doc. 2) is granted. 

 (2) As required by the accompanying Order to the appropriate government 

agency, Plaintiff must pay the $350.00 filing fee and is not assessed an initial partial 

filing fee. 

(3) The Complaint (Doc. 1) is dismissed for failure to state a claim. Plaintiff 

has 30 days from the date this Order is filed to file a first amended complaint in 

compliance with this Order. 

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 (4) If Plaintiff fails to file an amended complaint within 30 days, the Clerk of 

Court must, without further notice, enter a judgment of dismissal of this action with 

prejudice that states that the dismissal may count as a “strike” under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). 

(5) The Clerk of Court must mail Plaintiff a court-approved form for filing a 

civil rights complaint by a prisoner. 

Dated this 18th day of September, 2014. 

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Revised 5/1/2013 1

Instructions for a Prisoner Filing a Civil Rights Complaint 

in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona

1. Who May Use This Form. The civil rights complaint form is designed to help incarcerated

persons prepare a complaint seeking relief for a violation of their federal civil rights. These

complaints typically concern, but are not limited to, conditions of confinement. This form should

not be used to challenge your conviction or sentence. If you want to challenge a state conviction

or sentence, you should file a petition under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 for a writ of habeas corpus by a

person in state custody. If you want to challenge a federal conviction or sentence, you should file

a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to vacate sentence in the federal court that entered the judgment.

2. The Form. Local Rule of Civil Procedure (LRCiv) 3.4(a) provides that complaints by

incarcerated persons must be filed on the court-approved form. The form must be typed or

neatly handwritten. The form must be completely filled in to the extent applicable. All questions

must be answered clearly and concisely in the appropriate space on the form. If needed, you may

attach additional pages, but no more than fifteen additional pages, of standard letter-sized paper.

You must identify which part of the complaint is being continued and number all pages. If you do

not fill out the form properly, you will be asked to submit additional or corrected information, which

may delay the processing of your action. You do not need to cite law. 

3. Your Signature. You must tell the truth and sign the form. If you make a false statement of a

material fact, you may be prosecuted for perjury.

4. The Filing and Administrative Fees. The total fees for this action are $400.00 ($350.00 filing fee

plus $50.00 administrative fee). If you are unable to immediately pay the fees, you may request

leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Please review the “Information for Prisoners Seeking Leave

to Proceed with a (Non-Habeas) Civil Action in Federal Court In Forma Pauperis Pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 1915” for additional instructions.

5. Original and Judge’s Copy. You must send an original plus one copy of your complaint and of

any other documents submitted to the Court. You must send one additional copy to the Court if you

wish to have a file-stamped copy of the document returned to you. All copies must be identical to

the original. Copies may be legibly handwritten.

6. Where to File. You should file your complaint in the division where you were confined when

your rights were allegedly violated. See LRCiv 5.1(a) and 77.1(a). If you were confined in

Maricopa, Pinal, Yuma, La Paz, or Gila County, file in the Phoenix Division. If you were confined

in Apache, Navajo, Coconino, Mohave, or Yavapai County, file in the Prescott Division. If you

were confined in Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Graham, or Greenlee County, file in the Tucson

Division. Mail the original and one copy of the complaint with the $400 filing and

administrative fees or the application to proceed in forma pauperis to:

Case 2:14-cv-01508-DGC--JZB Document 7 Filed 09/18/14 Page 14 of 23
2

Phoenix & Prescott Divisions: OR Tucson Division:

U.S. District Court Clerk U.S. District Court Clerk

U.S. Courthouse, Suite 130 U.S. Courthouse, Suite 1500

401 West Washington Street, SPC 10 405 West Congress Street

Phoenix, Arizona 85003-2119 Tucson, Arizona 85701-5010

7. Change of Address. You must immediately notify the Court and the defendants in writing of any

change in your mailing address. Failure to notify the Court of any change in your mailing

address may result in the dismissal of your case.

8. Certificate of Service. You must furnish the defendants with a copy of any document you submit

to the Court (except the initial complaint and application to proceed in forma pauperis). Each

original document (except the initial complaint and application to proceed in forma pauperis) must

include a certificate of service on the last page of the document stating the date a copy of the

document was mailed to the defendants and the address to which it was mailed. See Fed. R. Civ.

P. 5(a), (d). Any document received by the Court that does not include a certificate of service may

be stricken. A certificate of service should be in the following form:

I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was mailed

this (month, day, year) to:

Name: 

Address: 

 Attorney for Defendant(s)

 

(Signature)

9. Amended Complaint. If you need to change any of the information in the initial complaint, you

must file an amended complaint. The amended complaint must be written on the court-approved

civil rights complaint form. You may file one amended complaint without leave (permission) of

Court before any defendant has answered your original complaint. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a). After

any defendant has filed an answer, you must file a motion for leave to amend and lodge (submit) a

proposed amended complaint. LRCiv 15.1. In addition, an amended complaint may not incorporate

by reference any part of your prior complaint. LRCiv 15.1(a)(2). Any allegations or defendants

not included in the amended complaint are considered dismissed. All amended complaints are

subject to screening under the Prison Litigation Reform Act; screening your amendment will take

additional processing time.

10. Exhibits. You should not submit exhibits with the complaint or amended complaint. Instead,

the relevant information should be paraphrased. You should keep the exhibits to use to support or

oppose a motion to dismiss, a motion for summary judgment, or at trial.

11. Letters and Motions. It is generally inappropriate to write a letter to any judge or the staff of

any judge. The only appropriate way to communicate with the Court is by filing a written pleading

or motion.

Case 2:14-cv-01508-DGC--JZB Document 7 Filed 09/18/14 Page 15 of 23
3

12. Completing the Civil Rights Complaint Form.

HEADING:

1. Your Name. Print your name, prison or inmate number, and institutional mailing address

on the lines provided.

2. Defendants. If there are four or fewer defendants, print the name of each. If you name

more than four defendants, print the name of the first defendant on the first line, write the

words “and others” on the second line, and attach an additional page listing the names of all

of the defendants. Insert the additional page after page 1 and number it “1-A” at the bottom.

3. Jury Demand. If you want a jury trial, you must write “JURY TRIAL DEMANDED” in

the space below “CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT BY A PRISONER.” Failure to do so may

result in the loss of the right to a jury trial. A jury trial is not available if you are seeking

only injunctive relief.

Part A. JURISDICTION:

1. Nature of Suit. Mark whether you are filing the complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983

for state, county, or city defendants; “Bivens v. Six Unknown Federal Narcotics Agents” for

federal defendants; or “other.” If you mark “other,” identify the source of that authority. 

2. Location. Identify the institution and city where the alleged violation of your rights

occurred. 

3. Defendants. Print all of the requested information about each of the defendants in the

spaces provided. If you are naming more than four defendants, you must provide the

necessary information about each additional defendant on separate pages labeled “2-A,” “2-

B,” etc., at the bottom. Insert the additional page(s) immediately behind page 2.

Part B. PREVIOUS LAWSUITS:

You must identify any other lawsuit you have filed in either state or federal court while you

were a prisoner. Print all of the requested information about each lawsuit in the spaces provided.

If you have filed more than three lawsuits, you must provide the necessary information about each

additional lawsuit on a separate page. Label the page(s) as “2-A,” “2-B,” etc., at the bottom of the

page and insert the additional page(s) immediately behind page 2.

Part C. CAUSE OF ACTION:

You must identify what rights each defendant violated. The form provides space to allege

three separate counts (one violation per count). If you are alleging more than three counts, you

must provide the necessary information about each additional count on a separate page. Number

the additional pages “5-A,” “5-B,” etc., and insert them immediately behind page 5. Remember that

you are limited to a total of fifteen additional pages.

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4

1. Counts. You must identify which civil right was violated. You may allege the violation

of only one civil right per count.

2. Issue Involved. Check the box that most closely identifies the issue involved in your

claim. You may check only one box per count. If you check the box marked “Other,” you

must identify the specific issue involved.

3. Supporting Facts. After you have identified which civil right was violated, you must state

the supporting facts. Be as specific as possible. You must state what each individual

defendant did to violate your rights. If there is more than one defendant, you must identify

which defendant did what act. You also should state the date(s) on which the act(s)

occurred, if possible.

4. Injury. State precisely how you were injured by the alleged violation of your rights. 

5. Administrative Remedies. You must exhaust any available administrative remedies

before you file a civil rights complaint. See 42 U.S.C. § 1997e. Consequently, you should

disclose whether you have exhausted the inmate grievance procedures or administrative

appeals for each count in your complaint. If the grievance procedures were not available for

any of your counts, fully explain why on the lines provided.

Part D. REQUEST FOR RELIEF:

Print the relief you are seeking in the space provided. 

SIGNATURE:

You must sign your name and print the date you signed the complaint. Failure to sign the

complaint will delay the processing of your action. Unless you are an attorney, you may not bring

an action on behalf of anyone but yourself.

FINAL NOTE

You should follow these instructions carefully. Failure to do so may result in your complaint

being stricken or dismissed. All questions must be answered concisely in the proper space on the

form. If you need more space, you may attach no more than fifteen additional pages. But the form

must be completely filled in to the extent applicable. If you attach additional pages, be sure to

identify which section of the complaint is being continued and number the pages.

Case 2:14-cv-01508-DGC--JZB Document 7 Filed 09/18/14 Page 17 of 23
Revised 5/1/2013 1 550/555

Name and Prisoner/Booking Number

Place of Confinement

Mailing Address

City, State, Zip Code

(Failure to notify the Court of your change of address may result in dismissal of this action.)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

)

 , )

(Full Name of Plaintiff) Plaintiff, )

)

 vs. ) CASE NO. 

) (To be supplied by the Clerk)

(1) , )

(Full Name of Defendant) )

(2) , )

) CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT

(3) ,) BY A PRISONER

)

(4) , ) G Original Complaint

Defendant(s). ) G First Amended Complaint

G Check if there are additional Defendants and attach page 1-A listing them. ) G Second Amended Complaint

A. JURISDICTION

1. This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to:

G 28 U.S.C. § 1343(a); 42 U.S.C. § 1983

G 28 U.S.C. § 1331; Bivens v. Six Unknown Federal Narcotics Agents, 403 U.S. 388 (1971).

G Other: .

2. Institution/city where violation occurred: .

Case 2:14-cv-01508-DGC--JZB Document 7 Filed 09/18/14 Page 18 of 23
2

B. DEFENDANTS

1. Name of first Defendant: . The first Defendant is employed as:

at .

(Position and Title) (Institution)

2. Name of second Defendant: . The second Defendant is employed as:

at .

(Position and Title) (Institution)

3. Name of third Defendant: . The third Defendant is employed as:

at .

(Position and Title) (Institution)

4. Name of fourth Defendant: . The fourth Defendant is employed as:

at .

(Position and Title) (Institution)

If you name more than four Defendants, answer the questions listed above for each additional Defendant on a separate page.

C. PREVIOUS LAWSUITS

1. Have you filed any other lawsuits while you were a prisoner? G Yes G No

2. If yes, how many lawsuits have you filed? . Describe the previous lawsuits:

a. First prior lawsuit:

1. Parties: v. 

2. Court and case number: .

3. Result: (Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?)

.

b. Second prior lawsuit:

1. Parties: v. 

2. Court and case number: .

3. Result: (Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?)

.

c. Third prior lawsuit:

1. Parties: v. 

2. Court and case number: .

3. Result: (Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?)

.

If you filed more than three lawsuits, answer the questions listed above for each additional lawsuit on a separate page.

Case 2:14-cv-01508-DGC--JZB Document 7 Filed 09/18/14 Page 19 of 23
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D. CAUSE OF ACTION

COUNT I

1. State the constitutional or other federal civil right that was violated: 

.

2. Count I. Identify the issue involved. Check only one. State additional issues in separate counts.

G Basic necessities G Mail G Access to the court G Medical care 

G Disciplinary proceedings G Property G Exercise of religion G Retaliation

G Excessive force by an officer G Threat to safety G Other: .

3. Supporting Facts. State as briefly as possible the FACTS supporting Count I. Describe exactly what each

Defendant did or did not do that violated your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without citing legal

authority or arguments.

.

4. Injury. State how you were injured by the actions or inactions of the Defendant(s).

.

5. Administrative Remedies:

a. Are there any administrative remedies (grievance procedures or administrative appeals) available at your

institution? G Yes G No

b. Did you submit a request for administrative relief on Count I? G Yes G No

c. Did you appeal your request for relief on Count I to the highest level? G Yes G No

d. If you did not submit or appeal a request for administrative relief at any level, briefly explain why you

did not. 

.

Case 2:14-cv-01508-DGC--JZB Document 7 Filed 09/18/14 Page 20 of 23
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COUNT II

1. State the constitutional or other federal civil right that was violated: 

.

2. Count II. Identify the issue involved. Check only one. State additional issues in separate counts.

G Basic necessities G Mail G Access to the court G Medical care 

G Disciplinary proceedings G Property G Exercise of religion G Retaliation

G Excessive force by an officer G Threat to safety G Other: .

3. Supporting Facts. State as briefly as possible the FACTS supporting Count II. Describe exactly what each

Defendant did or did not do that violated your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without citing legal

authority or arguments.

.

4. Injury. State how you were injured by the actions or inactions of the Defendant(s).

.

5. Administrative Remedies.

a. Are there any administrative remedies (grievance procedures or administrative appeals) available at your

institution? G Yes G No

b. Did you submit a request for administrative relief on Count II? G Yes G No

c. Did you appeal your request for relief on Count II to the highest level? G Yes G No

d. If you did not submit or appeal a request for administrative relief at any level, briefly explain why you

did not. 

.

Case 2:14-cv-01508-DGC--JZB Document 7 Filed 09/18/14 Page 21 of 23
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COUNT III

1. State the constitutional or other federal civil right that was violated: 

.

2. Count III. Identify the issue involved. Check only one. State additional issues in separate counts.

G Basic necessities G Mail G Access to the court G Medical care 

G Disciplinary proceedings G Property G Exercise of religion G Retaliation

G Excessive force by an officer G Threat to safety G Other: .

3. Supporting Facts. State as briefly as possible the FACTS supporting Count III. Describe exactly what each

Defendant did or did not do that violated your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without citing legal

authority or arguments.

.

4. Injury. State how you were injured by the actions or inactions of the Defendant(s).

.

5. Administrative Remedies.

a. Are there any administrative remedies (grievance procedures or administrative appeals) available at your

institution? G Yes G No

b. Did you submit a request for administrative relief on Count III? G Yes G No

c. Did you appeal your request for relief on Count III to the highest level? G Yes G No

d. If you did not submit or appeal a request for administrative relief at any level, briefly explain why you

did not. 

.

If you assert more than three Counts, answer the questions listed above for each additional Count on a separate page.

Case 2:14-cv-01508-DGC--JZB Document 7 Filed 09/18/14 Page 22 of 23
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E. REQUEST FOR RELIEF

State the relief you are seeking:

.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on 

DATE SIGNATURE OF PLAINTIFF

(Name and title of paralegal, legal assistant, or

other person who helped prepare this complaint)

(Signature of attorney, if any)

(Attorney’s address & telephone number)

ADDITIONAL PAGES

All questions must be answered concisely in the proper space on the form. If you need more space, you may attach

no more than fifteen additional pages. But the form must be completely filled in to the extent applicable. If you

attach additional pages, be sure to identify which section of the complaint is being continued and number all pages.

Case 2:14-cv-01508-DGC--JZB Document 7 Filed 09/18/14 Page 23 of 23