Source: https://casetext.com/case/smallwood-v-elmore-cnty-jail
Timestamp: 2019-01-22 08:40:26
Document Index: 489413631

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1983', '§ 1915', '§ 1915', '§ 1915', '§ 1915', '§ 1915']

Smallwood v. Elmore Cnty. Jail, CIVIL ACT. NO. 2:18-CV-826-MHT [WO] | Casetext
Smallwood v. Elmore Cnty. Jail
CIVIL ACT. NO. 2:18-CV-826-MHT [WO] (M.D. Ala. Oct. 3, 2018)
Elmore Cnty. Jail
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA NORTHERN DIVISIONOct 3, 2018
CIVIL ACT. NO. 2:18-CV-826-MHT [WO]
JERMIE SMALLWOOD, Plaintiff, v. ELMORE COUNTY JAIL, et al., Defendants.
Plaintiff, an inmate incarcerated at the Elmore County Jail, brings this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action against Sheriff Bill Franklin and the Elmore County Jail. This action concerns a dispute over the conditions of confinement at the county jail. Upon review, the court concludes the claims presented by Plaintiff against the Elmore County Jail are subject to dismissal under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i).
The court granted Brown leave to proceed in forma pauperis in this case. Doc. 3. This court must therefore screen the complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) which requires the court to dismiss a claim or defendant if it determines that the complaint presents a claim which is frivolous, malicious, fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary damages from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i)-(iii). --------
Plaintiff names the Elmore County Jail as a defendant. The law is settled that a county sheriff's department "is not a legal entity and, therefore, is not subject to suit or liability under section 1983." Dean v. Barber, 951 F.2d 1210, 1214 (11th Cir. 1992). It therefore follows that a building or structure utilized by a sheriff's department is not a legal entity subject to suit. In light of the foregoing, it is clear that the Elmore County Jail is not a legal entity subject to suit, and it is, therefore, due to be dismissed as a defendant under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i).
1. Plaintiff's claims against the Elmore County Jail be DISMISSED with prejudice prior to service of process under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i).
2. The Elmore County Jail be DISMISSED as a defendant.
3. This case with respect to Plaintiff's claims against the remaining defendant be referred to the undersigned for further proceedings.
ORDERED that on or before October 17, 2018, Plaintiff may file an objection to the Recommendation. Any objection filed must specifically identify the factual findings and legal conclusions in the Magistrate Judge's Recommendation to which Plaintiff objects. Frivolous, conclusive or general objections will not be considered by the District Court.
Done this 3rd day of October, 2018.