Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_05-cv-01072/USCOURTS-azd-2_05-cv-01072-0/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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JDDL-K

WO JDN

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Dwayne D. Williams, 

Plaintiff, 

vs.

Dan Vanelli, et al., 

Defendants. 

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No. CV 05-1072-PHX-JAT (MEA)

ORDER

This is a pro se civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 brought by a civil

detainee confined in the Arizona Community Protection & Treatment Center at the Arizona

State Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. The Court will dismiss the action with leave to amend.

A. Background

On August 28, 2003, Plaintiff was found by a jury to be a "sexually violent person"

as defined under the applicable state statute. Matter No. CV 2003-008179. The Court

ordered Plaintiff to be civilly committed and placed in the Arizona Community Protection

and Treatment Center until further order of the court. On April 7, 2005, Plaintiff filed this

pro se civil rights action pursuant to § 1983 (Doc. # 1). Upon the Court's Order dated April

15, 2005, Plaintiff was ordered to file an application to proceed in forma pauperis on the new

court-approved form (Doc. # 3). Plaintiff filed a new Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis

and a First Amended Complaint on May 24, 2005 (Doc. #'s 7 and 6). The Court will address

Plaintiff's in forma pauperis application herein and screen the First Amended Complaint

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e).

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B. Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis & Filing Fee.

The Prison Litigation Reform Act requires a prisoner to pay the civil action filing fee

incrementally even when the prisoner is granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis. The

PLRA, in 28 U.S.C. § 1915(h), defines “prisoner” as follows:

[T]he term “prisoner” means any person incarcerated or detained in any

facility who is accused of, convicted of, sentenced for, or adjudicated

delinquent for, violations of criminal law or the terms and conditions or parole,

probation, pretrial release, or diversionary program.

In an earlier Order, the Court required Plaintiff to meet the requirements for prisoners

applying to proceed in forma pauperis, which includes submitting a certified six-month trust

account statement. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2). Whether Plaintiff is a “prisoner” for

purposes of application of the PLRA is based upon his status at the time he filed his original

Complaint. See Page v. Torrey, 201 F.3d 1136, 1140 (9th Cir. 2000). In Page, the Ninth

Circuit Court of Appeals held that a person who completed his prison term and was civilly

committed for treatment under California’s Sexually Violent Predators Act was not a

“prisoner” under the PLRA. Id. at 1140. The Ninth Circuit rejected an interpretation of §

1915(h) that included persons who had in the past been accused of, convicted of, or

sentenced for a criminal offense. Id. at 1139. The court of appeals relied in part on

LaFontant v. INS, 135 F.3d 158, 165 (D.C. Cir. 1998), which found that a person who had

served time for past convictions ceased being a “prisoner” at the time he was released on

parole. Page, 201 F.3d at 1140. 

The record shows that at the time Plaintiff filed his complaint in April 2005, he was

civilly detained at the Arizona Community Protection and Treatment Center. Accordingly,

Plaintiff was not a “prisoner” for purposes of the PLRA at the time he filed his Complaint.

Plaintiff may proceed in forma pauperis without the necessity of filing a certified six-month

account statement, and he will likewise not be required to pay the civil action filing fee

incrementally under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a), the filing fee is

waived for a nonprisoner proceeding in forma pauperis.

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C. Statutory Screening of Prisoner Complaints.

The Court is required to screen complaints brought by pro se litigants proceeding in

forma pauperis and seeking relief against a governmental entity or officer or employee of a

governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e). The Court must dismiss a complaint or portion

thereof if 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. § 1915(e)(2)(B). 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 the complaint before dismissal of the action. See Lopez v. Smith, 203

F.3d 1122, 1127-29 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). The Court is required to grant leave to amend

“if a complaint can possibly be saved,” but not if the Complaint “lacks merit entirely.” Id.

at 1129. A court therefore should grant leave to amend if the pleading could be cured by the

allegation of other facts, or if it appears at all possible that the defect can be corrected. Id.

at 1130. 

The Court should not, however, advise the litigant how to cure the defects. This type

of advice “would undermine the district judges’ role as impartial decisionmakers.” Pliler v.

Ford, 124 S. Ct. 2441, 2446 (2004); see also Lopez, 203 F.3d at 1131 n.13 (declining to

decide whether court was required to inform litigant of deficiencies). Plaintiff’s First

Amended Complaint will be dismissed for failure to state a claim, with leave to amend

because the complaint may possibly be saved by amendment.

D. First Amended Complaint.

Plaintiff sues Dan Vanelli, Deputy Warden at the Arizona Department of Corrections;

R. Jaeger, Captain at the Arizona Department of Corrections; Dr. Dawn Noggle, Clinical

Director at the Arizona Community Protection and Treatment Center; and Susan Gilbert,

Director at the Arizona Community Protection and Treatment Center. 

In Count I, Plaintiff alleges that he was accused of sexually assaulting another inmate

while confined in the Arizona Department of Corrections Complex - Santa Rita, in Tucson,

Arizona in 1995. A disciplinary hearing was held and Plaintiff was found guilty of the

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sexual assault. Plaintiff appealed the decision, and his appeal was denied. Plaintiff claims

that there were numerous faults with the hearing and appeal process, for example: (1) dates

were changed on the disciplinary report; (2) the hearing officer conducted no real "hearing"

to ascertain the facts or hear Plaintiff's claims; (3) Plaintiff was not provided the proper

appeals forms and his failure to use the proper forms was used as grounds to deny appeal;

and (4) Plaintiff was not allowed to review the investigator's report that was used as a basis

for the finding of guilt. Plaintiff contends that this alleged sexual assault was subsequently

used against him in his civil commitment trial.

In Count II, Plaintiff alleges that conditions of confinement at the Arizona Community

Protection and Treatment Center violate his due process. Plaintiff states that the treatment

center's "use of coercion and or be punished, allows residents to move forward in this

program whether the information is true or not." (Compl. at 5A). Plaintiff also alleges that

he never received a copy of his birth certificate which he order from the Department of Vital

Records in Illinois. Plaintiff asserts that he was questioned about a staff member bringing

in drugs, and he was brought to Mesa, Arizona to take a polygraph test to see if he had any

information about this staff member. Plaintiff goes on to discuss some problems with the

courses he was taking through Rio Salado College and alleges that he was wrongfully

accused of harassing the Rio Salado College site supervisor. Plaintiff contends that he was

subjected to retaliation after his attorney questioned Plaintiff over the phone about clothes

Plaintiff was to receive. Plaintiff told his attorney that he did not receive any clothes despite

the treatment center informing the attorney otherwise, and the next day his room was

searched and state-supplied clothing was taken. 

Plaintiff further alleges that "the program allows residents whom fight or threaten

staff, get dirty UA's, or get caught with drugs to move forward through this program."

(Compl. at 6). Plaintiff asserts that when he requested a new therapist, Dr. Noggle threatened

him and there was further retaliation in the form of being denied outing requests. According

to Plaintiff, the "programs use of lies and deception to make a resident look bad on record

(written or verbal)." (Compl. at 7). Finally, Plaintiff claims that the program puts too much

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reliance on the polygraph tests, and that the treatment center is worse than a prison -

mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. 

For relief, Plaintiff requests the following: (1) that his disciplinary report from 1995

be expunged; (2) that the three-panel disciplinary committee be reinstated; (3) that he be

awarded monetary damages; (4) that an individual be appointed to ensure that residents are

treated fairly; and (5) declaratory relief.

E. Failure to State a Claim.

1. Count I

The Court notes that Plaintiff’s claim involving violation of due process in the

disciplinary proceedings in Count I arises from his incarceration in June 1995. In § 1983

actions, the applicable statute of limitations is the forum state’s statute of limitations for

personal injury actions. Johnson v. California, 207 F.3d 650, 653 (9th Cir. 2000). The Court

applies Arizona’s two year statute of limitations for personal injury actions to § 1983

actions. Krug v. Imbordino, 896 F.2d 395, 397 (9th Cir. 1990). The Court must also apply

any state rule for tolling to actions brought under § 1983. Hardin v. Straub, 490 U.S. 536,

544 (1989); TwoRivers v. Lewis, 174 F.3d 987, 992 (9th Cir. 1999). Pursuant to the former

tolling provision of A.R.S. § 12-502(B), “the statute of limitations begins running when the

incarcerated prisoner discovered or reasonably should have discovered the right to bring the

action, or upon the prisoner’s release from prison, whichever first occurs.” Vega v. Morris,

184 Ariz. 461, 464, 910 P.2d 6, 9 (1996). However, this tolling provision was deleted from

the statute by amendment effective April 12, 1996. Consequently, as of April 12, 1996,

incarceration was no longer a “disability” which tolled the statute of limitations. See e.g.,

Zuck v. State of Arizona, 159 Ariz. 37, 40, 764 P.2d 772, 775 (Ariz.Ct.App. 1988). After

April 12, 1996, “ a prisoner had the same time others would have to bring a claim, from that

date, or a later date if that was when the prisoner first reasonably discovered his or her right

to bring and action.” Id. Therefore, the statute of limitations began to run two years “from

the time after the effective date of the amendment that he discovered or with reasonable

diligence should have discovered his right to bring those claims.” Id. Therefore, Plaintiff

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had until April 1998, to file his claim. The Complaint was not filed until April 2005, seven

years after the statute of limitations deadline for the claim in Count I had passed. 

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B), the Court is required to dismiss an in forma

pauperis case, at any time, if it fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.

Failure to state a claim includes circumstances where a defense is complete and obvious from

the face of the pleadings. Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1228 (9th Cir. 1984) (applying

former § 1915(d) which is now codified at 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)). In the absence of

waiver, the Court may raise the defense of statute of limitations sua sponte. See Levald, Inc.

v. City of Palm Desert, 998 F.2d 680, 687 (9th Cir. 1993). Accordingly, Count I is timebarred and will be dismissed without prejudice. Defendants Dan Vanelli and R. Jaeger will

also be dismissed as they are linked only to the claim set forth in Count I. 

2. Count II

Plaintiff's claims in Count II concern conditions of confinement at the Arizona

Community Protection and Treatment Center. In Seling v. Young, 531 U.S. 250 (2001), the

U.S. Supreme Court acknowledged that persons committed as sexually violent predators have

a remedy for the alleged conditions to which they are subjected: "due process requires that

the conditions and duration of confinement . . . bear some reasonable relation to the purpose

for which persons are committed." Id. at 265. "The more protective fourteenth amendment

standard applies to conditions of confinement when detainees . . . have not been convicted

of" of a crime. Gary H. v. Hegstrom, 831 F.2d 1430, 1432 (9th Cir. 1987) (citing Youngberg

v. Romeo, 457 U.S. 307 (1982)). Regarding civil commitments, "[c]ivil status means civil

status, with all the Fourteenth Amendment rights that accompany it." Jones v. Blanas, 393

F.3d 918 (9th Cir. 2004), cert. denied, 126 S.Ct. 351 (2005).

Plaintiff's conditions of confinement claim is therefore evaluated under the Due

Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which protects against the imposition of

“punishment” prior to an adjudication of guilt. Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 535 (1979).

Those who have been involuntarily committed, however, are entitled to more considerate

treatment and conditions of confinement than those who are criminally detained. Jones, 393

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F.3d at 932 (citing Youngberg, 457 U.S. at 321-22). In order to determine whether a

restriction or condition of confinement is punitive, the Court must weigh the evidence that

it is intended to punish, that it is purposeless, or that it is arbitrary, against the possibility that

it is “an incident of some other legitimate governmental purpose,” such as “maintaining

institutional security and preserving institutional order.” Simmons v. City of Philadelphia,

947 F.2d 1042, 1068 (3d Cir. 1991) (quoting Bell, 441 U.S. at 538, 546). “[I]f a particular

condition or restriction of pretrial detention is reasonably related to a legitimate

governmental objective, it does not, without more, amount to ‘punishment.’ Conversely, if

a restriction or condition is not reasonably related to a legitimate goal—if it is arbitrary or

purposeless—a court permissibly may infer that the purpose of the governmental action is

punishment that may not constitutionally be inflicted upon detainees qua detainees.” Bell,

441 U.S. at 538-39. 

Here, it is difficult to evaluate whether the conditions Plaintiff complains of are

arbitrary or purposeless because his Complaint fails to comply with Rule 8, Fed. R. Civ. P.

Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires that a complaint contain “a short

and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Rule 8(e)(1)

states that “[e]ach averment of a pleading shall be simple, concise, and direct.” Plaintiff’s

lengthy narratives, particularly his eight-page narration in Count II, violate this rule.

Moreover, Plaintiff has failed to state a claim under § 1983. In order to recover under §

1983, a plaintiff must show: (1) violation of a right protected by Constitution or federal law;

(2) that was proximately caused; (3) by conduct of a “person” named as a defendant; (4)

acting under color of state law. See Crumpton v. Gates, 947 F.2d 1418, 1420 (9th Cir. 1991).

Plaintiff has not connected any of his claims to the Defendants. Consequently, Count II will

be dismissed. 

Plaintiff's allegations should “fully set forth who is being sued, for what relief, and

on what theory, with enough detail to guide discovery.” McHenry v. Renne, 84 F.3d 1172,

1177 (9th Cir. 1996) (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 84, Form 9). If the evidence justifies it,

Plaintiff may name persons in their individual capacities. If he does so, he must write short,

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plain statements telling the court: (1) the constitutional right Plaintiff believes was violated;

(2) the name of the person who violated the right; (3) exactly what that individual did or

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

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

person’s conduct. Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362, 371-72, 377 (1976). Plaintiff must repeat

this process for each person he names as a Defendant. Plaintiff is advised to apply these

standards when submitting an amended complaint or his action may be dismissed.

3. Class Action

On the face of his First Amended Complaint, Plaintiff states that this is a class action,

and he includes "Others Simularly [sic] Situated" as plaintiffs in the caption.

Plaintiff is not an attorney. Although Plaintiff may appear on his own behalf, he may

not appear as an attorney for other persons in a class action. McShane v. United States, 366

F.2d 286, 288 (9th Cir. 1966) (nonlawyer had no authority to appear as an attorney for other

persons in a purported class action); Oxendine v. Williams, 509 F.2d 1405, 1407 (4th Cir.

1975) (plain error to permit an inmate proceeding pro se to represent fellow inmates in a

class action). “This rule is an outgrowth not only of the belief that a layman, untutored in the

law, cannot ‘adequately represent’ the interests of the members of the ‘class,’ but also out

of the long-standing general prohibition against even attorneys acting as both class

representative and counsel for the class.” Huddleston v. Duckworth, 97 F.R.D. 512, 514

(N.D. Ind. 1983). 

Further, Plaintiff has made no showing that the four prerequisites to a class action

under Rule 23(a), Fed.R.Civ.P., i.e., numerosity, typicality, commonality, and adequacy of

representation, have been met in this case. Accordingly, this action will not be certified as

a class action and Plaintiff Dwayne D. Williams shall be the sole plaintiff named in the

caption.

F. Leave to Amend.

For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint will be dismissed for

failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Plaintiff may amend his First

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Amended Complaint to cure the deficiencies outlined above. The Clerk of Court will be

directed to provide Plaintiff with a Court-approved form for filing a civil rights complaint.

Plaintiff is advised that the 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, or

First Amended Complaint, by reference. Any amended complaint submitted by Plaintiff

should be clearly designated as such on the face of the document. 

Plaintiff is also reminded that in an Amended Complaint, he may only include one

claim per count. The “one claim per count” rule is set forth in the form Complaint and

accompanying instructions, and is a requirement imposed by the local rules of this Court.

See LRCiv 3.4(a) (complaint must be in accordance with the instructions provided with the

form). 

An 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 original pleading is treated as nonexistent.

Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262. Thus, causes of action alleged in an original complaint which are

not alleged in an amended complaint are waived. King v. Atiyeh, 814 F.2d 565, 567 (9th Cir.

1987).

G. Address Changes.

In the notice of assignment issued in this action (Doc. #2), Plaintiff was advised he

must file a notice of change of address if his address changes. Plaintiff is again reminded

that at all times during the pendency of this action, Plaintiff shall immediately advise the

Court of any change of address and its effective date. Such notice shall be captioned

“NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS.” Plaintiff shall serve a copy of the Notice of

Change of Address on all opposing parties. The notice shall contain only information

pertaining to the change of address and its effective date, and shall not include a motion for

other relief. Failure to timely file a notice of change of address may result in the dismissal

of the action for failure to prosecute pursuant to Rule 41(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure.

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H. Warning of Possible Dismissal.

Plaintiff should take note that if he fails to timely comply with every provision of this

Order, this action will be dismissed without further notice. See Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1260-

61(district court may dismiss action for failure to comply with any order of the Court). 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that: 

(1) Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Doc. # 7) is granted.

Plaintiff's filing fee is waived pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).

(2) The First Amended Complaint is dismissed for failure to state a claim. Plaintiff

shall have 30 days from the date this Order is filed to file an Amended Complaint in

compliance with this Order.

(3) The Clerk of Court shall enter a judgment of dismissal of this action with

prejudice and without further notice to Plaintiff, if Plaintiff fails to file an amended complaint

within thirty (30) days of the date this Order is filed.

(4) Aside from the two copies of the complaint or amended complaint that must be

submitted pursuant to Rule 3.5(a) of the Local Rules of Civil Procedure, a clear, legible copy

of every pleading or other document filed shall accompany each original pleading or other

document filed with the Clerk for use by the District Judge or Magistrate Judge to whom the

case is assigned. See LRCiv 5.4. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the

pleading or document being stricken without further notice to Plaintiff.

(5) The Clerk of Court shall provide to Plaintiff a current court-approved form for

filing a civil rights complaint.

DATED this 28th day of December, 2005.

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Revised 2/7/05 1

INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR A

PRISONER FILING CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT

 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

I. General Information About the Civil Rights Complaint Form:

A. The Form. The civil rights complaint form is designed to help prisoners prepare a

complaint seeking relief for a violation of their federal civil rights. Local Rule of Civil Procedure

3.4(a) requires that prisoner civil rights complaints be filed on the court-approved form. Your

complaint must be typewritten or legibly handwritten. All information must be clearly and

concisely written, only in the space provided on the form. If needed, you may attach no more

than fifteen additional pages of standard letter size paper to continue any part of the complaint.

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

B. Your Signature. You must sign the complaint. Your signature constitutes a certificate that:

1) you have read the complaint; 2) to the best of your knowledge, information and belief formed

after reasonable inquiry it is well grounded in fact and law; and 3) it is not being filed for any

improper purpose. Please review Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Rule 11

provides for the imposition of sanctions if the complaint is signed in violation of the Rule. 

C. The Filing Fee. You must pay the $250.00 filing fee. If you are unable to pay the filing

fee when the complaint is filed, 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 more

information.

D. Court Divisions. If you resided in Maricopa, Pinal, Yuma, La Paz, or Gila county when

your rights were allegedly violated, you should file your complaint in the Phoenix Division of

the court. If you resided in Apache, Navajo, Coconino, Mohave, or Yavapai county when your

rights were allegedly violated, you should file your complaint in the Prescott Division of the

court. If you resided in Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Graham, or Greenlee county when your

rights were allegedly violated, you should file your complaint in the Tucson Division of the court.

See LRCiv 5.1(a) and 77.1(a). 

You should mail THE ORIGINAL AND ONE COPY of your complaint with the

$250.00 filing fee or the application to proceed in forma pauperis to:

Phoenix & Prescott Divisions: OR Tucson Division:

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

U.S. Courthouse, Suite 321 U.S. Courthouse, Suite 1500

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401 West Washington Street, SPC 10 405 West Congress Street

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

E. Certificate of Service on Defendants. You must furnish the opposing party or their attorney

with a copy of any document you submit to the court (except the initial complaint and

application to proceed in forma pauperis). Pursuant to Rules 5(a) and (d) of the Federal Rules

of Civil Procedure, each original document (except the initial complaint and application for leave

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 opposing party or their

attorney and the address to which it was mailed. Any document received by the court which

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 day of (month) , (year) , to:

Name: 

Address: 

 Attorney for Defendant(s)/Respondent(s)

 

(Signature)

F. Original and Judge's Copy. You must furnish an original and one copy of any document

submitted to the court. You must furnish one additional copy to the clerk if you wish to have

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

original.

G. Exhibits. You should not submit exhibits with the complaint. Instead, the relevant

information should be paraphrased in the complaint. You should keep the exhibits to use to

support or oppose a motion for summary judgment or at trial.

H. Change of Address. You must immediately notify the clerk and the opposing party or their

attorney 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.

I. 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 courtapproved civil rights complaint form. Rule 15(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure allows

you to file one amended complaint prior to any defendant filing an answer. After any defendant

has filed an answer, you must file a motion for leave to amend and lodge a proposed amended

complaint. Local Rule of Civil Procedure 15.1(a)(2) prohibits any amended pleading from

referencing any prior pleading. Further, any allegations or defendants not included in the

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3

amended complaint are considered dismissed.

J. Letters and Motions. It is generally inappropriate to write a letter to any of the District

Judges, Magistrates Judges, or the staff of any of the judicial officers. The appropriate way to

communicate with these persons is by filing a written pleading or motion. 

II. Completing the Civil Rights Complaint Form:

HEADING:

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

the lines provided. 

2. Defendants. Print the names of each of your defendants. If you name more than

four defendants, you should print the name of one defendant and "see additional page

for defendants" in the space provided. On the additional page you must list the names

of all of the defendants. This additional page should be inserted after page 1 and

numbered as page "1-A" at the bottom of the page. The initial complaint must contain

the names of all of the parties (plaintiffs as well as defendants) in the heading (or on the

additional page if more than four defendants). See Rule 10(a) of the Federal Rules of

Civil Procedure.

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

on the line below "CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT BY A PRISONER.” Failure to do so

will 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. Plaintiff. Print all of the requested information on the spaces provided. 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 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 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

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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 the defendant(s) 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.

 

1. Counts. You must identify which civil right was violated. YOU MAY ALLEGE THE

VIOLATION OF ONLY ONE CIVIL RIGHTS CLAIM 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 in the space provided.

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

to 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

need to identify which defendant did what act. You also need to 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. Exhaustion of administrative remedies is a prerequisite

to filing a civil rights complaint. 42 U.S.C. § 1997e requires prisoners to exhaust the

available administrative remedies before being allowed to file a civil rights action.

Consequently, you must disclose whether you have exhausted the inmate grievance

procedures or administrative appeals for each count in your complaint. If one of your

counts is exempt from the grievance procedures or administrative appeals, fully explain

the exemption 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. Your signature

must be an original signature, not a photocopy. 

FINAL NOTE

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

complaint being stricken or dismissed by the court. All questions must be answered concisely

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5

in the proper space on the form. If needed, you may attach no more than fifteen additional

pages. The form, however, 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.

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Revised 2/7/05 1 550/555

Name and Prisoner/Booking Number

Place of Confinement

Mailing Address

City, State, Zip Code

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)

 , )

)

 , )

) CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT

 ,) BY A PRISONER

)

 , ) G Original Complaint

(Full Name of Each Defendant) Defendant(s). ) G First Amended Complaint

) G Second Amended Complaint

A. JURISDICTION

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

a. G 28 U.S.C. § 1343(a)(3); 42 U.S.C. § 1983

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

c. G Other: (Please specify.) .

2. Name of Plaintiff: .

Present mailing address: .

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

Institution/city where violation occurred: .

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2

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

at . (Position and Title) (Institution)

The first Defendant is sued in his/her: G individual capacity G official capacity (check one or both).

Explain how the first Defendant was acting under color of law: 

.

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

at . (Position and Title) (Institution)

The second Defendant is sued in his/her: G individual capacity G official capacity (check one or both).

Explain how the second Defendant was acting under color of law: 

.

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

at . (Position and Title) (Institution)

The third Defendant is sued in his/her: G individual capacity G official capacity (check one or both).

Explain how the third Defendant was acting under color of law: 

.

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

at . (Position and Title) (Institution)

The fourth Defendant is sued in his/her: G individual capacity G official capacity (check one or both).

Explain how the fourth Defendant was acting under color of law: 

.

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

B. PREVIOUS LAWSUITS

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

2. If your answer is "yes," how many lawsuits have you filed? . Describe the previous lawsuits in the

spaces provided below.

3. First prior lawsuit:

a. Parties to previous lawsuit:

Plaintiff: .

Defendants: 

.

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3

b. Court: (If federal court, identify the district; if state court, identify the county.) 

.

c. Case or docket number: .

d. Claims raised: 

e. Disposition: (For example: Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?) 

.

f. Approximate date lawsuit was filed: .

g. Approximate date of disposition: .

4. Second prior lawsuit:

a. Parties to previous lawsuit:

Plaintiff: .

Defendants: 

.

b. Court: (If federal court, identify the district; if state court, identify the county.) 

.

c. Case or docket number: .

d. Claims raised: 

.

e. Disposition: (For example: Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?) 

.

f. Approximate date lawsuit was filed: .

g. Approximate date of disposition: .

5. Third prior lawsuit:

a. Parties to previous lawsuit:

Plaintiff: .

Defendants: 

.

b. Court: (If federal court, identify the district; if state court, identify the county.) 

.

c. Case or docket number: .

d. Claims raised: 

.

e. Disposition: (For example: Was the case dismissed? Was it appealed? Is it still pending?) 

.

f. Approximate date lawsuit was filed: .

g. Approximate date of disposition: .

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

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C. CAUSE OF ACTION

COUNT I

1. The following constitutional or other federal civil right has been violated by the Defendant(s): 

.

2. Count I involves: (Check only one; if your claim involves more than one issue, each issue should be stated

in a different count) 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 to violate your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without citing legal

authority or arguments).

.

4. Injury: (State how you have been 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 to the highest level, briefly explain

why you did not. 

.

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COUNT II

1. The following constitutional or other federal civil right has been violated by the Defendant(s): 

.

2. Count II involves: (Check only one; if your claim involves more than one issue, each issue should be stated

in a different count) 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 to violate your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without citing

legal authority or arguments).

.

4. Injury: (State how you have been 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 to the highest level, briefly explain

why you did not. 

.

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COUNT III

1. The following constitutional or other federal civil right has been violated by the Defendant(s): 

.

2. Count III involves: (Check only one; if your claim involves more than one issue, each issue should be stated

in a different count) 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 to violate your rights. State the facts clearly in your own words without citing

legal authority or arguments).

.

4. Injury: (State how you have been 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 to the highest 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.)

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D. REQUEST FOR RELIEF

State briefly exactly what you want the Court to do for you.

.

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 needed, you may attach no more

than fifteen additional pages. The form, however, must be completely filled in to the extent applicable.

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