Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_08-cv-03305/USCOURTS-cand-4_08-cv-03305-0/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 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DESMOND J. DICKERSON,

Plaintiff,

 v.

CITY OF OAKLAND, et al.,

Defendants. /

No. C 08-03305 CW (PR)

ORDER OF DISMISSAL WITH LEAVE

TO AMEND

INTRODUCTION

Plaintiff Desmond J. Dickerson has filed a pro se civil rights

action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff has been granted

leave to proceed in forma pauperis. 

BACKGROUND 

According to the allegations in the complaint, Plaintiff was

subjected to improper force during the course of his arrest. 

Plaintiff seeks monetary damages for his physical and mental

injuries. 

DISCUSSION

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. See 28 U.S.C.

§ 1915A(a). In its review, the court must identify 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.

Case 4:08-cv-03305-CW Document 8 Filed 01/21/10 Page 1 of 4
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§ 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 42 U.S.C. § 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).

According to the allegations in the complaint, Officer John

Mitchell from the Oakland Police Department used excessive force

against Plaintiff during the course of his arrest. The use of

excessive force by a law enforcement officer in effectuating an

arrest states a valid claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. See Graham v.

Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 394-95 (1989). Here, however, Plaintiff has

failed to allege the date or location of the use of force. 

Plaintiff is granted leave to amend the complaint to set forth

these additional facts regarding the alleged use of force.

CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, the Court hereby orders as follows:

1. Plaintiff's complaint is DISMISSED WITH LEAVE TO AMEND. 

Within thirty (30) days of the date of this Order, Plaintiff may

file an amended complaint to correct the deficiencies as set forth

above. 

2. Plaintiff must submit his amended complaint on the

attached blank civil rights complaint form, clearly label the

complaint an "Amended Complaint," and write in the case number for

this action -- C 08-3305 CW (PR) -- on the form. If Plaintiff

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28 P:\PRO-SE\CW\CR.08\Dickerson3305.DWLA.wpd

fails to file an amended complaint within the thirty-day period,

this action will be dismissed. 

3. The Clerk of the Court shall send Plaintiff a blank civil

rights form along with a copy of this Order.

4. It is Plaintiff's responsibility to prosecute this case. 

Plaintiff must keep the Court informed of any change of address and

must comply with the Court's orders in a timely fashion.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 1/21/10 

CLAUDIA WILKEN

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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28 P:\PRO-SE\CW\CR.08\Dickerson3305.DWLA.wpd

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DESMOND J DICKERSON,

Plaintiff,

 v.

CITY OF OAKLAND et al,

Defendant. /

Case Number: CV08-03305 CW 

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I, the undersigned, hereby certify that I am an employee in the Office of the Clerk, U.S. District

Court, Northern District of California.

That on January 21, 2010, I SERVED a true and correct copy(ies) of the attached, by placing said

copy(ies) in a postage paid envelope addressed to the person(s) hereinafter listed, by depositing

said envelope in the U.S. Mail, or by placing said copy(ies) into an inter-office delivery

receptacle located in the Clerk's office.

Desmond J. Dickerson w/CR form

711 Cherry Way

Hayward, CA 94541

Dated: January 21, 2010

Richard W. Wieking, Clerk

By: Sheilah Cahill, Deputy Clerk

Case 4:08-cv-03305-CW Document 8 Filed 01/21/10 Page 4 of 4