Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_05-cv-01590/USCOURTS-azd-2_05-cv-01590-0/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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When Plaintiff filed the Complaint, he was confined in the Maricopa County Towers Jail

in Phoenix, Arizona (Towers Jail).

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RP

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Richard Paul Norris, 

Plaintiff, 

vs.

Captain, et al., 

Defendants. 

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No. CV-05-1590-PHX-DGC (LOA)

ORDER

Richard Paul Norris (Plaintiff), presently confined in the Maricopa County Fourth

Avenue Jail in Phoenix, Arizona (Fourth Avenue Jail), filed with the Clerk of the Court on

May 26, 2005 a pro se "Civil Rights Complaint By A Prisoner" (Document #1) (Complaint)

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.1 Plaint iff has not paid the two hundred and fifty dollar

($250.00) filing fee, but has filed a certified "Application To Proceed In Forma Pauperis By

A Prisoner Civil (Non-Habeas)" (Application To Proceed) and an "Inmat e Account

Statement" (Account Statement) with his Complaint. 

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APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS AND FILING FEE

Plaintiff’s certified Application To Proceed and Account Statement filed with the

Complaint make the showing required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). Accordingly, Plaintiff’s

Application to Proceed will be granted. 

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1), Plaintiff is required to pay the statutory filing fee

of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) for t his action. Based on the average monthly

deposits in Plaintiff’s account for six (6) months immediately p receding the filing of the

Complaint, an initial partial filing fee of three dollars and thirty-t hree cents ($3.33) will be

assessed by this Order. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). 

By separate order, the Court will direct the appropriate agency t o collect the initial

partial filing fee from Plaintiff’s trust account and forward it t o t he Clerk of the Court.

Thereafter, Plaintiff will be obligated for monthly payments of twenty percent (20%) of the

preceding month’s income credited to Plaint iff’s t rust account. These payments will be

forwarded by the appropriate agency to the Clerk of the Court each time the amount in

Plaintiff’s account exceeds ten dollars ($10.00), until the filing fee is paid in full. 28 U.S.C.

§ 1915(b)(2).

Plaintiff should take notice that if he is released before the filing fee is paid in full,

he must pay the remaining unpaid amount of the filing fee within one hundred and twenty

(120) days of the date of his release. If Plaint iff fails to pay the remainder of the filing fee

within one hundred and twenty (120) day s of the date of his release, the action will be

dismissed, unless Plaintiff shows good cause, in writing, why he is unable t o pay the

remainder of the filing fee.

Plaintiff also should take not ice that a prisoner may not bring a civil action without

complete prep ay ment of the appropriate filing fee if the prisoner has brought, on three (3)

or more occasions, an action or appeal in a federal court that was dismissed as frivolous,

as malicious, or for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the

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

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STATUTORY SCREENING OF PRISONER COMPLAINTS

The Court is required to screen complaints or amended complaint s brought by

prisoners seeking relief against a governmental entity or officer or employee of a

governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court must dismiss a complaint or p ort ion

thereof if the 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 monet ary relief from a

defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1),(2). T he Court also

must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if Plaintiff fails to exhaust any administ rat ive

remedy available to him. 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a).

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

facts, a pro se litigant is entitled to an opportunit y t o amend t he complaint before dismissal

of t he act ion. See Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1127-29 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). The

Court is required to grant leave t o 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

Complaint will be dismissed with leave to amend because the Complaint may p ossibly be

saved by amendment.

COMPLAINT

Plaintiff alleges three (3) counts in his Complaint. (Complaint at 4-6). 

Named as Defendants in the Complaint are: (1) Captain #A1275, Captain, Maricopa

County Sheriff's Office; (2) Fraser, Detent ion Officer, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office; (3)

Sgt. #4, Hearing Officer Sergeant, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office; (4) Maricopa County

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Sheriff's Office Inmate Legal Services; (5) The Arizona Republic; (6) Jim Walsh; and (7)

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Transport Division. (Complaint at 1-2C).

Plaintiff seeks to be "responded to fairly, without threats from public officers and

that MCSO abide[] by the rules set forth." (Complaint at 7).

DISMISSAL OF DEFENDANTS

Mari copa County Sheriff's Office Inmate Legal Services and Transport Division

The Maricopa Count y Sheriff’s Office is not a proper Defendant. In Arizona, the

responsibility of operating jails and caring for prisoners is placed by law up on t he sheriff.

See A.R.S. § 11-441(A)(5); A.R.S. § 31-101. A sheriff’s office is simply an administrative

creation of the county sheriff to allow him to carry out his statutory duties, and not a

“person” amenable to suit pursuant to § 1983. This applies equally to divisions of t he

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, such as Inmat e Legal Services and the Transport

Division. Therefore, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Legal Services and Maricopa

County Sheriff’s Office Transport Division are not proper Defendants, and will be

dismissed from this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) and 1915A(b)(1) for

failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.

The Arizona Republic and Jim Walsh

T o st at e a viable constitutional claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Plaintiff must show an

affirmative link between the alleged injury and the conduct of an individual Defendant.

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

 To state a claim against a state official, the civil right s comp lainant must allege that

t he official personally participated in the constitutional deprivation, or that a st at e

supervisory official was aware of the widespread abuses and with deliberate indifference

to the inmate's const itutional rights failed to take action to prevent further misconduct.

King v. Atiyeh, 814 F.2d 565, 568 (9th Cir. 1987); See also Monell v. New York City

Department of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658, 691 (1978); Williams v. Cash, 836 F.2d 1318,

1320 (11th Cir. 1988).

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There is no liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 based on a theory of respondeat

superior, and therefore, a defendant ’s position as the supervisor of persons who allegedly

violated a plaintiff’s constitutional right s does not impose liability. Monell, 436 U.S. at 691;

West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 54 n.12 (1988); Ybarra v. Reno Thunderbird Mobile Home

Village, 723 F.2d 675, 680-81 (9th Cir. 1984).

Alt hough Plaintiff names The Arizona Republic and Jim Walsh as Defendants, he

has not made any allegations against either of them individually in the body of the

Complaint. Plaintiff does not allege that they personally participated in the dep rivation of

Plaintiff's constitutional right s, nor does he allege that they were aware of widespread

abuses and failed to act. Accordingly, Defendants The Arizona Republic and Jim Walsh

are not proper Defendants and will be dismissed from this action pursuant t o 28 U.S.C. §§

1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) and 1915A(b)(1) for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be

granted.

FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM

Count I

In Count I of the Complaint, Plaintiff claims that the Maricopa Count y Sheriff's

Office denied him access to the courts and is causing delays that have hindered his

preparations for trial. (Complaint at 1). Plaintiff alleges that he has argued through the

grievance process that Maricopa County Inmate Legal Services is denying him a "Law

Clerk, access to a Physical Law Library in lieu of a Paralegal." Id. Plaintiff further alleges

that after several grievances, Defendant Captain #A1275 "stopped" him "from completing

the grievance process." Id.

 A p risoner alleging denial of access to the courts must show “actual injury ,” and

demonstrate t hat he was hindered in his efforts to “pursue a legal claim.” Lewis v. Casey,

518 U.S. 343, 349 (1996). An “ actual injury” is “actual prejudice with respect to

contemplated or existing litigation, such as the inability to meet a filing deadline or to

present a claim.” Id. at 348. To show actual injury with respect t o contemplated litigation,

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the plaintiff must demonst rat e that the conduct of the defendants prevented him from

bringing to court a nonfrivolous claim that he wished to present. Id. at 352-53. That

nonfrivolous claim must be a direct or collateral attack on the inmat e’s sentence, or a

challenge t o the conditions of his confinement. Id. at 355. “Impairment of any other

litigating capacity is simply one of the incidental (and perfectly constitutional)

consequences of conviction and incarceration.” Id. (emp hasis in original). Also, the

constitutional right of access applies only during “the pleading stage of a habeas or civil

rights action.” Coronet v. Donovan, 51 F.3d 894, 898 (9th Cir. 1995).

To the extent that Plaintiff may be attempting to present an access to the courts

claim with regard to his criminal t rial, the Court notes that a prisoner who is represented by

counsel “ has no constitutional right of access to legal materials.” United States v.

Robinson, 913 F.2d 712, 717 (9th Cir. 1990). The state has the option of deciding whether

to provide legal assist ance or access to a law library. See Storseth v. Spellman, 654 F.2d

1349, 1353 (9th Cir. 1981). “Availability of legal assistance at government expense . . . is a

constitutionally permissible means of access.” United States v. Wilson, 690 F.2d 1267,

1271 (9th Cir. 1982), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 867 (1983). When an inmate is provided adequat e

access, he may not reject the method of access p rovided and insist on a method of access

of his or her choosing. Id. Accord Martin v. Tyson, 845 F.2d 1451, 1456 (7th Cir.) (no

denial of meaningful access to courts where jail did not provide access t o a law library to

inmate who was represented by counsel), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 863 (1988).

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

(1972), conclusory and vague allegations will not supp ort a cause of action. Ivey v. Board

of Regents of the University of Alaska, 673 F.2d 266 (9th Cir. 1982); Rhodes v. Robinson,

612 F.2d 766, 772 (3rd Cir. 1979). Further, a liberal interp ret at ion of a civil rights complaint

may not supply essential element s of t he claim that were not initially pled. Ivey, 673 F.2d

at 268. 

Plaintiff's claim in Count I is both conclusory and vague. Plaintiff does not allege

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that he has suffered any actual injury by being prevented from bringing a non-frivolous

legal claim before a court as required. Instead, Plaintiff appears to be alleging only that he

was hindered in his preparations for trial. Moreover, wit h regard to his allegations against

Defendant Captain #A1275, Plaintiff does not explain how or why Defendant Captain

#A1275 stopped him from completing the grievance process, or how the failure to complete

the grievance process denied him access to the courts. Accordingly, Count I of the

Complaint will be dismissed without prejudice pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) and

1915A(b)(1) for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. 

Count II

In Count II of the Complaint, Plaintiff claims that he was denied "mail/books" in

accordance with Maricopa County Sheriff's Office policy . (Complaint at 5). Plaintiff alleges

that Defendant Fraser "denied mail-ordered book through Amazon.com" and "prevented"

his "legal book from being accepted." Id.

In order to state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Plaintiff must show t hat the conduct

of the Defendants deprived him of a federal constitutional right. Haygood v. Younger, 769

F.2d 1350, 1354 (9th Cir. 1985) (en banc), cert. denied, 478 U.S. 1020 (1986). However,

Plaintiff makes no reference whatsoever to a federal const it ut ional right in Count II.

Accordingly, Count II of the Complaint will be dismissed without prejudice pursuant to 28

U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) and 1915A(b)(1) for failure t o state a claim upon which relief may

be granted.

In so doing, the Court notes that in general prisoners have “a First Amendment right

to send and receive mail.” Witherow v. Paff, 52 F.3d 264, 265 (9th Cir. 1995) (per curiam)

(citing Thornburgh v. Abbot t, 490 U.S. 401, 407 (1989)). However, a prison may adopt

regulations which impinge on an inmate’s const itutional rights if those regulations are

“reasonably related to legitimate p enological interests.” Turner v. Safley, 482 U.S. 78, 89

(1987). In Count II Plaintiff alleges that he was denied "mail/books" in accordance with

Maricopa Count y Sheriff's Office policy, but he does not identify the policy, explain how

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his "mail/books" were in violation of that policy, or show how the policy is not reasonably

related to legitimate penological interests. 

Count III

In Count III of the Complaint, Plaintiff claims that his rights to freedom of speech,

the use of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office grievance process, and due process were

violated. (Complaint at 6). Plaint iff alleges that Defendant Sergeant #4 threatened him by

stating that Plaintiff would be banned from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office grievance

p rocess and that any lawsuit that he might file against the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

"would not matter," and t hat Defendant Sergeant #4 "ref[]er[r]ed" to Plaintiff as treating

another officer of Maricopa County Sheriff's Office as a "slave." Id. Plaintiff further

alleges that this "verbally abusive confrontation" was "initiated by the filing of

grievances." Id.

“‘Verbal harassment or abuse . . . is not sufficient to state a constitutional

deprivation under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.’” Oltarz ewski v. Ruggiero, 830 F.2d 136, 139 (9th Cir.

1987) (quoting Collins v. Cundy, 603 F.2d 825 (10th Cir. 1979)). Accordingly , Count III of

t he Complaint will be dismissed without prejudice pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii)

and 1915A(b)(1) for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. 

DISMISSAL OF COMPLAINT WITH LEAVE TO AMEND

Because Plaintiff has failed to state a valid constitutional claim, the Complaint will

be dismissed without prejudice. However, in keeping with "the rule favoring liberality in

amendments to pleadings," the Court will exercise its discretion and allow Plaintiff to file

an amended comp laint, if he so desires, to show what constitutional rights he has been

deprived of, and how t he conduct of proper defendants deprived him of said rights. Noll

v. Carlson, 809 F.2d 1446, 1448 (9th Cir. 1987). 

Any amended complaint filed by Plaintiff must be retyped or rewritten in its entiret y

on the current, Court-approved form included with this Order and may not incorporat e any

part of the original Complaint by reference. If Plaintiff cannot fit all of his supporting facts

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in favor of a particular count on the Court-approved form, then he may continue on an

attachment, but each matter on any at t achment must be clearly referenced to a particular

count on the Court-approved form, and be numbered appropriately. Plaint iff may only

address one (1) issue in each count. 

If Plaintiff chooses to file an amended complaint , he should take notice that an

amended complaint supersedes the original comp laint . Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258,

1262 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 915 (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. T hus, causes of action alleged in an original

complaint which are not alleged in an amended complaint are waived. King, 814 F.2d at 567.

MOTION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

On August 5, 2005, Plaintiff filed a "Motion For The Appointment Of Counsel"

(Document #3) (Motion). There is no const it ut ional right to appointment of counsel in a

civil case. See Ivey v. Board of Regent s of the University of Alaska, 673 F.2d 266, 269 (9th

Cir. 1982); Randall v. Wyrick, 642 F.2d 304 (8th Cir. 1981). The appointment of counsel

under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1) is required only when "exceptional circumstances" are present.

Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991). 

A determination with respect to excep t ional circumstances requires an evaluation

of the likelihood of success on the merits as well as the ability of Plaintiff to articulate his

claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issue involved. Id. "Neither of t hese

factors is dispositive and both must be viewed t oget her before reaching a decision." Id.

(quoting Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986)). 

Having considered both elements, it does not presently appear that exceptional

circumstances are present that would require the appointment of counsel in this case.

Accordingly, Plaintiff's Motion will be denied. 

WARNING

Plaintiff is warned that if he fails to timely comply with every provision of this Order,

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t his 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), cert. denied, 506

U.S. 915 (1992). Moreover, 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 t his Order, the dismissal of this action will count as a “strike” under the “three strikes”

provision of the Prison Litigation Reform Act. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g).

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:

(1) That Plaintiff's “ Ap p lication To Proceed In Forma Pauperis By A Prisoner Civil

(Non-Habeas)” filed with the Complaint is GRANTED;

(2) That Plaintiff is OBLIGATED to pay the statutory filing fee of two hundred and

fifty dollars ($250.00) for this action. Plaint iff is ASSESSED an initial partial filing fee of

three dollars and thirt y -t hree cents ($3.33). All fees shall be collected and paid in

accordance with this Court’s Order to the Maricopa County Sheriff filed concurrently

herewith;

(3) That Plaintiff's "Motion For The Appointment Of Counsel" (Document #3) is

DENIED;

(4) That Defendants M aricopa County Sheriff's Office Inmate Legal Services, The

Arizona Republic, Jim Walsh, and Maricopa County Sheriff's Office T ransport Division are

DISMISSED from this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) and 1915A(b)(1) for

failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted; 

(4) That Plaintiff's "Civil Rights Complaint By A Prisoner" (Document #1)

(Complaint) is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE, WITH LEAVE TO AMEND, pursuant

to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii) and 1915A(b)(1) for failure to state a claim upon which relief

may be granted. Plaintiff SHALL HAVE t hirty (30) days from the filing date of this Order

t o file an amended complaint in order to state specific allegations of deprivation of

constitutional rights against proper defendant(s), t o name as defendant(s) the individual(s)

who participated in the activities alleged in his amended complaint, to st at e what injury he

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has suffered as a result of the activities of the defendant(s), and to show how, prior to

filing this action, he exhausted his administrative remedies as to each of his claims for relief.

The amended complaint must be retyped or rewritten in its ent iret y on the current, Courtapproved form included with this Order, may not incorporate any part of the original

Comp laint by reference, and must contain Plaintiff’s original signature. If Plaintiff fails to

file the amended complaint on a current, Court-approved form, the amended complaint will

be stricken, and the action dismissed without further notice to Plaintiff. Any amended

complaint submitted by Plaintiff should be clearly designated as an amended complaint on

the face of the document;

(5) That the Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to enter a judgment of dismissal wit h

prejudice of this action, wit hout further notice to Plaintiff, if Plaintiff fails to file an amended

complaint within thirty (30) days from the filing date of this Order. Upon entry of judgment,

the Clerk of the Court SHALL MAKE an entry on the docket in this matter indicating that

the dismissal of this action falls within the purview of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g);

(6) That a clear, legible copy of every pleading or ot her document filed SHALL

ACCOMPANY each original pleading or ot her document filed with the Clerk for use by the

District Judge or Magistrate Judge to whom the case is assigned. See Rule 5.4, Local Rules

of Civil Procedure (LRCiv). Failure to submit a copy along wi th the original pleading or

document will result in the pleading or document being stricken without further notice

to Plaintiff;

(7) That at all times during the pendency of the instant action, Plaintiff SHALL

IMMEDIATELY ADVISE t he Court and the United States Marshal of any change of

address and its effective date. Such notice shall be captioned “NOTICE OF CHANGE OF

ADDRESS.” The notice shall contain only information pertaining to the change of address

and its effective date, except that if Plaintiff has been released from custody, the notice

should so indicate. The notice shall not include any mot ions for any other relief. Failure

to file a NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS may result in the dismissal of t he action for

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failure to prosecute pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b); 

(8) That the Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to provide Plaintiff with a current,

Court-approved form for filing a civil rights complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

DATED this 27th day of December, 2005.

Case 2:05-cv-01590-DGC--LOA Document 7 Filed 12/28/05 Page 12 of 24
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

Case 2:05-cv-01590-DGC--LOA Document 7 Filed 12/28/05 Page 13 of 24
2

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

Case 2:05-cv-01590-DGC--LOA Document 7 Filed 12/28/05 Page 14 of 24
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

Case 2:05-cv-01590-DGC--LOA Document 7 Filed 12/28/05 Page 15 of 24
4

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

Case 2:05-cv-01590-DGC--LOA Document 7 Filed 12/28/05 Page 16 of 24
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.

Case 2:05-cv-01590-DGC--LOA Document 7 Filed 12/28/05 Page 17 of 24
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: 

.

Case 2:05-cv-01590-DGC--LOA Document 7 Filed 12/28/05 Page 19 of 24
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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4

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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5

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.

Case 2:05-cv-01590-DGC--LOA Document 7 Filed 12/28/05 Page 24 of 24