Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_20-cv-00068/USCOURTS-azd-2_20-cv-00068-0/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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WO KM

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Bennett Laquan Williams,

Plaintiff, 

v. 

Charles L. Ryan, et al.,

Defendants.

No. CV 20-00068-PHX-MTL (DMF)

ORDER

Plaintiff Bennett Laquan Williams, who is confined in the Arizona State Prison 

Complex-Eyman, 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

The Court will grant Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. 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 assess an initial partial filing fee of $7.74. The remainder of 

the 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 former Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) Director Charles 

L. Ryan, Grievance Coordinator Miller, Deputy Warden Ping, and Property Officer 

Comacho as Defendants in his five-count Complaint. Plaintiff seeks money damages.

In Count One, Plaintiff alleges Defendant Ryan violated his First Amendment rights 

by confiscating compact discs (CDs) containing evidence in his criminal case. Plaintiff 

states he raised this claim in a previously filed case, CV 18-02274-PHX-MTL (DMF),1 but 

Ryan was dismissed “for failure to show personal involvement.” Plaintiff claims that in 

light of “newly discovered evidence with the recent ruling in News v. Ryan CV 02245-

PHX-ROS (Nov. 2019),” he is “refiling the complaint against Charles Ryan and his 

subordinates because the Ninth Cir. has instructed that § 1983 allows a Plaintiff to impose 

liability upon a supervisor/director who creates, promulgates implements and advances the 

operations of a policy that’s unconstitutional.” Plaintiff further states that on May 12, 2016, 

he was charged with new crimes while incarcerated and the evidence that was taken from 

him “was pertinent to that fact.” Plaintiff asserts he “expressed to the 

administration/director that he was in dire need of his evidence because he was in the 

middle of preparing for his appeal.” Plaintiff contends Defendant Ryan “failed [in] his 

duty to provide ‘legal care’ by not acknowledging provisions within his policy such as 

(D.O.) 914.6.18(B) which states a legal publication taken from a court case shall not be 

1

In a July 5, 2019 Order in CV 18-02274-PHX-MTL (DMF), the Court dismissed 

Defendant Ryan without prejudice, ordered service on Defendant Ulibarri, and required 

Defendant Ulibarri to answer the Second Amended Complaint. Defendant Ulibarri 

returned the Waiver of Service but did not file an answer. In a February 10, 2020 Order, 

the Court entered default against Defendant Ulibarri.

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withheld if the unauthorized content is reasonabl[y] necessary to understand the 

fundamental issue.” 

In Count Two, Plaintiff claims Defendant Miller violated his First Amendment 

rights when, while investigating Plaintiff’s grievances regarding the confiscated CDs, he 

failed to “resolve the issue in dispute as well as to provide a duty of ‘legal care.’” Plaintiff 

further claims his evidence was confiscated under Department Order 914.07, and claims 

this policy was found unconstitutional in News v. Ryan, CV 15-02245-PHX-ROS. Plaintiff 

asserts that as a result, he was unable to meet the filing deadline for his state Rule 32 postconviction petition.

In Count Three, Plaintiff alleges Defendant Ping violated his First Amendment 

rights when, while investigating Plaintiff’s grievance regarding the loss and destruction of 

his legal CDs, Defendant Ping failed to “resolve any dispute as well as to provide a duty 

of ‘legal care’ to prohibit any wrongdoing to Mr. Williams.” Plaintiff claims Defendant 

Ping “failed to acknowledge other provisions within the policy such as (D.O.) 914.6.18(B) 

which states a legal publication taken from a court case shall not be withheld if the 

unauthorized content is reasonabl[y] necessary to understand the fundamental issue.” 

Plaintiff further claims his evidence was confiscated under Department Order 914.07, and 

claims this policy was found unconstitutional in News v. Ryan, CV 15-02245-PHX-ROS. 

Plaintiff asserts that as a result, he was unable to meet the filing deadline for his state Rule 

32 post-conviction petition.

In Count Four, Plaintiff alleges Defendant Comacho violated his Fourteenth 

Amendment rights when he failed to “keep property safe and secured and as a result the 

property ended up being lost/destroyed.” Plaintiff states he had submitted eight CDs for 

review and Defendant Comacho was only able to locate seven. Defendant Comacho told 

Plaintiff there was no proof he had submitted eight CDs.

In Count Five, Plaintiff claims Defendants Ryan, Ping, Miller, and Comacho 

violated his Fourteenth Amendment rights by “trespassing on a case, a tort claim.” Plaintiff 

states that on April 27, 2018, ADC staff confiscated his legal property, “claiming the 

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evidence in his case file violated (DO) 914.07.” Plaintiff states he was in the middle of 

preparing his appeal. Plaintiff grieved the issue. The final response from the Director’s 

Office stated Plaintiff’s legal property would not be returned and would be held until 

Plaintiff’s release date. Plaintiff inquired as to the number of CDs “in their possession, 

because policy states contraband will be destroyed after 90 days.” Plaintiff contends 

Defendant Comacho located only seven CDs. Plaintiff grieved the issue and was told in a 

final response from the Director’s Office that there was “no proof as to how many CD[]s 

[Plaintiff] submitted for review.” Plaintiff alleges records show he submitted eight CDs. 

Plaintiff argues Defendants “trespassed on the Plaintiff’s case” and “failed in their duty to 

provide ‘legal care’/ or ‘due care,’ by not acknowledging provisions within their policy 

such as a legal publication taken from a court case shall not be withheld if the unauthorized 

content is reasonabl[y] necessary to understand the fundamental issue.”

IV. Failure to State a Claim

Although pro se pleadings are liberally construed, Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 

520-21 (1972), conclusory and vague allegations will not support a cause of action. Ivey 

v. Bd. of Regents of the Univ. of Alaska, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982). Further, a 

liberal interpretation of a civil rights complaint may not supply essential elements of the 

claim that were not initially pled. Id.

The right of meaningful access to the courts prohibits officials from actively 

interfering with inmates’ attempts to prepare or file legal documents. Lewis v. Casey, 518 

U.S. 343, 350 (1996). The right of access to the courts is only a right to bring petitions or 

complaints to federal court and not a right to discover such claims or even to ligate them 

effectively once filed with a court. Id. at 354. The right “guarantees no particular 

methodology but rather the conferral of a capability–the capability of bringing 

contemplated challenges to sentences or conditions of confinement before the courts.” Id. 

at 356. 

As a matter of standing, for an access-to-courts claim, a plaintiff must show that he 

suffered an “actual injury” with respect to contemplated litigation. Id. at 349. To show 

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actual injury with respect to contemplated litigation, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the 

defendants’ conduct frustrated or impeded him from bringing to court a nonfrivolous claim 

that he wished to present. Id. at 352-53. The nonfrivolous claim must be a direct or 

collateral attack on the inmate’s sentence or a challenge to the conditions of his 

confinement. Id. “Impairment of any other litigating capacity is simply one of the 

incidental (and perfectly constitutional) consequences of conviction and incarceration.” Id. 

(emphasis in original).

A. Count One 

In Count One, Plaintiff appears to allege both that the policy requiring confiscation

of his legal CDs is unconstitutional and that individual correctional officers failed to follow 

established policies. To the extent Plaintiff argues the policy is unconstitutional, Plaintiff 

does not specific allege facts supporting that claim or explain how the policy violated his 

constitutional rights. To the extent Plaintiff claims individual officers failed to follow 

established policies, these allegations do not support his contention that the policy itself is 

unconstitutional.

Further, Plaintiff has not alleged sufficient facts to state an access to courts claim; 

he does not describe the information on his legal CDs or why the CDs were required to 

prepare a Rule 32 petition, does not clearly state who confiscated the CDs and reasons 

given, or when the CDs were confiscated. Although Plaintiff claims the CDs were also 

“pertinent” to new charges brought against him while incarcerated, Plaintiff does not 

describe those charges or explain how deprivation of the CDs prevented him from 

challenging the new charges or what actual injury he suffered with respect to the new 

charges. Plaintiff’s allegations in Count One are too vague to state a claim. 

Moreover, to the extent Plaintiff claims the policy at issue in this case was found

facially unconstitutional in Prison Legal News v. Ryan, CV 15-02245, the portions of the

judgment and injunction entered in that case that would be relevant to Plaintiff’s claims

have been stayed pending appeal. (See Doc. 325 at 6 in CV 15-02245-PHX-ROS.)

. . . .

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B. Counts Two and Three

In Counts Two and Three, Plaintiff alleges Defendants Miller and Ping failed to 

resolve his grievances and failed “to provide a duty of legal care to prohibit any 

wrongdoing to [Plaintiff].” Prisoners have a First Amendment right to file prison 

grievances, Rhodes v. Robinson, 408 F.3d 559, 567 (9th Cir. 2005), but “[t]here is no 

legitimate claim of entitlement to a grievance procedure,” Mann v. Adams, 855 F.2d 639, 

640 (9th Cir. 1988), and the failure to follow grievance procedures does not give rise to a 

due process claim. See Flournoy v. Fairman, 897 F. Supp. 350, 354 (N.D. Ill. 1995) (jail 

grievance procedures did not create a substantive right enforceable under § 1983); Spencer 

v. Moore, 638 F. Supp. 315, 316 (E.D. Mo. 1986) (violations of grievance system 

procedures do not deprive inmates of constitutional rights). “[N]o constitutional right was 

violated by the defendants’ failure, if any, to process all of the grievances [plaintiff] 

submitted for consideration.” Buckley v. Barlow, 997 F.2d 494, 495 (8th Cir. 1993). In 

addition, “[t]he right to petition the government for redress of grievances . . . does not 

guarantee a favorable response, or indeed any response, from state officials. Moreover, the 

First Amendment’s right to redress of grievances is satisfied by the availability of a judicial 

remedy.” Baltoski v. Pretorius, 291 F. Supp. 2d 807, 811 (N.D. Ind. 2003); see also 

Ashann-Ra v. Virginia, 112 F. Supp. 2d 559, 569 (W.D. Va. 2000) (failure to comply with 

state’s grievance procedure is not actionable under § 1983 and does not compromise an 

inmate’s right of access to the courts). 

Accordingly, to the extent Plaintiff claims Defendants Miller and Ping failed to 

following grievance procedures, or to favorably respond to Plaintiff’s grievances, Plaintiff 

fails to state a claim. Moreover, it appears both Miller and Ping applied existing policy to 

Plaintiff’s legal CDs and Plaintiff has not demonstrated that Miller or Ping were 

responsible for implementing the policy at issue. Plaintiff therefore fails to state a claim 

in Counts Two and Three.

. . . .

. . . .

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C. Count Four

In Count Four, Plaintiff alleges Defendant Comacho failed to secure Plaintiff’s 

property, which resulted in one of Plaintiff’s CDs being lost or destroyed. In Parratt v. 

Taylor, 451 U.S. 527, 541 (1981), the Supreme Court held that due process is not violated 

when a state employee negligently deprives an individual of property, as long as the state 

makes available a meaningful postdeprivation remedy. The availability of a common-law 

tort suit against the state employee constitutes an adequate postdeprivation remedy. Id. at 

534-35. Hudson v. Palmer, 468 U.S. 517, 533 (1984). Further, Arizona provides 

meaningful and adequate postdeprivation remedies through both the prison grievance 

system and the state tort process. See Wright v. Riveland, 219 F.3d 905, 918 (9th Cir. 2000) 

(both state tort claims and prison grievance procedures provide adequate postdeprivation 

remedies); Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-821.01; Arizona Dept. of Corrections Order 909.8.0. That 

a prisoner “might not be able to recover under these remedies the full amount which he 

might receive in a § 1983 action is not . . . determinative of the adequacy of the state 

remedies.” Hudson 468 U.S. at 535. Accordingly, Plaintiff has failed to state a claim in 

Count Four.

D. Count Five

Plaintiff’s factual allegations in Count Five are duplicative of his claims in Counts 

One through Four. To the extent Plaintiff claims Defendants “trespassed on his case,” and 

intends to argue that they interfered with case, his assertions are encompassed by his access 

to courts claims; there is no separate cause of action under the tort of trespass. The Court 

will therefore dismiss Count Five as duplicative of Counts One through Four.

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 

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to use the court-approved form, the Court may strike the amended complaint and dismiss 

this action without further notice to Plaintiff.

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.

In each count, 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 v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362, 371-72, 377 (1976).

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.

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 the 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

If Plaintiff is released while this case remains pending, and the filing fee has not 

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been paid in full, Plaintiff must, within 30 days of his release, either (1) notify the Court 

that he intends to pay the unpaid balance of his filing fee within 120 days of his release or 

(2) file a non-prisoner application to proceed in forma pauperis. 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.

C. 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). 

D. 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.

. . . .

. . . .

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

agency, Plaintiff must pay the $350.00 filing fee and is assessed an initial partial filing fee 

of $7.74.

(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.

(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)

and deny any pending unrelated motions as moot.

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

civil rights complaint by a prisoner.

Dated this 12th day of March, 2020.

Case 2:20-cv-00068-MTL Document 6 Filed 03/12/20 Page 11 of 21
Revised 3/11/16 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. This section does not apply to 

inmates housed at an Arizona Department of Corrections facility that participates in 

electronic filing.

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 2:20-cv-00068-MTL Document 6 Filed 03/12/20 Page 12 of 21
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. This section does not apply to inmates housed at an Arizona Department of 

Corrections facility that participates in electronic filing.

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 within 21 days after serving it or within 21 days after any defendant has filed 

an answer, whichever is earlier. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a). Thereafter, 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 2:20-cv-00068-MTL Document 6 Filed 03/12/20 Page 13 of 21
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.

Case 2:20-cv-00068-MTL Document 6 Filed 03/12/20 Page 14 of 21
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 2:20-cv-00068-MTL Document 6 Filed 03/12/20 Page 15 of 21
Revised 3/11/16 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,

v. 

(1) _______________________________________ , (Full Name of Defendant)

(2) _______________________________________ ,

(3) _______________________________________ ,

(4) _______________________________________ ,

Defendant(s).

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

CASE NO. __________________________________ 

(To be supplied by the Clerk)

CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT

BY A PRISONER

G Original Complaint

G First Amended Complaint

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 2:20-cv-00068-MTL Document 6 Filed 03/12/20 Page 16 of 21
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:

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 2:20-cv-00068-MTL Document 6 Filed 03/12/20 Page 17 of 21
3

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 2:20-cv-00068-MTL Document 6 Filed 03/12/20 Page 18 of 21
4

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 2:20-cv-00068-MTL Document 6 Filed 03/12/20 Page 19 of 21
5

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 2:20-cv-00068-MTL Document 6 Filed 03/12/20 Page 20 of 21
6

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 2:20-cv-00068-MTL Document 6 Filed 03/12/20 Page 21 of 21