Source: https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/arizona/azdce/3:2014cv08103/870098/12
Timestamp: 2018-04-21 06:06:26
Document Index: 504958803

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1915', '§ 1983', '§ 1915', '§ 1915', '§ 1983', '§ 1983', '§ 1983', '§ 1915', '§ 1915', '§ 1915', '§ 1915', '§ 2254', '§ 2255', '§ 1915', '§ 1983', '§ 1997', '§ 1343', '§ 1983', '§ 1331']

ORDER The First Amended Complaint for Amara # 148485 v. Navajo County Jail et al :: Justia Dockets & Filings
Justia Dockets & Filings Ninth Circuit Arizona Arizona District Court Amara # 148485 v. Navajo County Jail et al Filing 12
ORDER The First Amended Complaint (Doc. 7 ) is dismissed for failure to state a claim. Plaintiff has 30 days from the date this Order is filed to file a second amended complaint in compliance with this Order. If Plaintiff fails to file a second amen ded 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). Plaintiff' ;s Motion to Clarify Number of Pages (Doc. 10 ) is granted. Plaintiff's Motion for Status (Doc. 11 ) is granted to the extent that this Order informs Plaintiff of the status of this case. The Clerk of Court must mail Plaintiff a court-approved form for filing a civil rights complaint by a prisoner. Signed by Senior Judge Stephen M McNamee on 11/21/2014. (KMG)
1 WO 2 3 4 5 6 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 8 9 Anthony Joseph Amara, 10 11 12 No. CV 14-8103-PCT-SMM (JFM) Plaintiff, v. ORDER Kelly Clark, et al., 13 Defendants. 14 15 On June 23, 2014, Plaintiff Anthony Joseph Amara, who is confined in the 16 Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis in Buckeye, Arizona, filed a pro se civil rights 17 Complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and an Application to Proceed In Forma 18 Pauperis. In a July 25, 2013 Order, the Court granted the Application to Proceed and 19 dismissed the Complaint because Plaintiff had failed to state a claim. The Court gave 20 Plaintiff 30 days to file an amended complaint that cured the deficiencies identified in the 21 Order. 22 23 Plaintiff has also filed a “Motion to Clarify Number of Pages of Notice of Electronic 24 Filing that was Sent to the Plaintiff” (the “Motion for Clarification”) (Doc. 10), and a 25 “Motion for Status of Civil Rights Complaint” (the “Motion for Status”) (Doc. 11). The 26 Court will grant Plaintiff’s motions, and will dismiss the First Amended Complaint with 27 leave to amend. 28 JDDL-K On August 18, 2013, Plaintiff filed his First Amended Complaint (Doc. 7). .... 1 I. Statutory Screening of Prisoner Complaints 2 The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief 3 against a governmental entity or an officer or an employee of a governmental entity. 28 4 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if a plaintiff 5 has raised claims that are legally frivolous or malicious, that fail to state a claim upon 6 which relief may be granted, or that seek monetary relief from a defendant who is 7 immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1)–(2). 8 A pleading must contain a “short and plain statement of the claim showing that the 9 pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2) (emphasis added). While Rule 8 10 does not demand detailed factual allegations, “it demands more than an unadorned, the- 11 defendant-unlawfully-harmed-me accusation.” 12 (2009). “Threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere 13 conclusory statements, do not suffice.” Id. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 14 “[A] complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a 15 claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’” Id. (quoting Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 16 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). A claim is plausible “when the plaintiff pleads factual 17 content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable 18 for the misconduct alleged.” Id. “Determining whether a complaint states a plausible 19 claim for relief [is] . . . a context-specific task that requires the reviewing court to draw 20 on its judicial experience and common sense.” Id. at 679. Thus, although a plaintiff’s 21 specific factual allegations may be consistent with a constitutional claim, a court must 22 assess whether there are other “more likely explanations” for a defendant’s conduct. Id. 23 at 681. 24 25 courts must “continue to construe pro se filings liberally.” Hebbe v. Pliler, 627 F.3d 338, 26 342 (9th Cir. 2010). A “complaint [filed by a pro se prisoner] ‘must be held to less 27 stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers.’” Id. (quoting Erickson v. 28 JDDL-K But as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has instructed, Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007) (per curiam)). -2- 1 If the Court determines that a pleading could be cured by the allegation of other 2 facts, a pro se litigant is entitled to an opportunity to amend a complaint before dismissal 3 of the action. See Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1127-29 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc). 4 Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint will be dismissed for failure to state a claim, but 5 because it may possibly be amended to state a claim, the Court will dismiss it with leave 6 to amend. 7 II. First Amended Complaint 8 In his three-count First Amended Complaint, Plaintiff names as Defendants: Kelly 9 Clark, the Navajo County Sheriff; Brad Carlyon, the Navajo County Attorney; and Ernie 10 Garcia, jail commander at the Navajo County Jail. 11 monetary relief. Plaintiff seeks declaratory and 12 In Count One, Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Clark was aware that Plaintiff had a 13 broken jaw, but nevertheless intentionally delayed medical treatment in violation of the 14 Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments. According to Plaintiff, Defendant Garcia spoke 15 with Defendant Clark on February 27, 2014 about a grievance plaintiff had filed, and that 16 Defendant Clark responded that “under no condition” was Plaintiff to “receive the 17 surgery that the jail provider, and 2 dentists and an oral surgeon all said [Plaintiff] need 18 [sic] promptly.” As a result, Plaintiff alleges that his medical treatment was delayed for 19 217 days, causing him injury. 20 In Count Two, Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Carlyon was aware that Plaintiff 21 needed medical treatment for his broken jaw, but nevertheless denied Plaintiff a medical 22 furlough for oral surgery in violation of the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments. 23 According to Plaintiff, Defendant Carlyon denied Plaintiff’s furlough on or about January 24 13, 2014 because Plaintiff would soon be transferred to the Arizona Department of 25 Corrections, at which point Navajo County would no longer be responsible for the 26 expense of Plaintiff’s medical treatment. As a result, Plaintiff alleges that his medical 27 treatment was delayed, causing him injury. 28 JDDL-K -3- 1 In Count Three, Plaintiff alleges that on February 27, 2014, Defendant Garcia 2 denied a grievance Plaintiff submitted regarding Plaintiff’s request for a medical 3 procedure, in violation of the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment. According to Plaintiff, 4 Defendant Garcia’s “failure to get me the help I needed and delay in providing medical 5 treatment resulted in pain and suffering.” 6 III. Failure to State a Claim 7 To prevail in a § 1983 claim, a plaintiff must show that (1) acts by the defendants 8 (2) under color of state law (3) deprived him of federal rights, privileges or immunities 9 and (4) caused him damage. Thornton v. City of St. Helens, 425 F.3d 1158, 1163-64 (9th 10 Cir. 2005) (quoting Shoshone-Bannock Tribes v. Idaho Fish & Game Comm’n, 42 F.3d 11 1278, 1284 (9th Cir. 1994)). In addition, a plaintiff must allege that he suffered a specific 12 injury as a result of the conduct of a particular defendant and he must allege an 13 affirmative link between the injury and the conduct of that defendant. Rizzo v. Goode, 14 423 U.S. 362, 371-72, 377 (1976). 15 Although pro se pleadings are liberally construed, Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 16 520-21 (1972), conclusory and vague allegations will not support a cause of action. Ivey 17 v. Bd. of Regents of the Univ. of Alaska, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982). Further, a 18 liberal interpretation of a civil rights complaint may not supply essential elements of the 19 claim that were not initially pled. Id. 20 21 to inadequate medical treatment states a violation of the Eighth or Fourteenth 22 Amendment. To state a § 1983 medical claim, a plaintiff must show that the defendants 23 acted with “deliberate indifference to serious medical needs.” Jett v. Penner, 439 F.3d 24 1091, 1096 (9th Cir. 2006) (quoting Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104 (1976)). 25 plaintiff must show (1) a “serious medical need” by demonstrating that failure to treat the 26 condition could result in further significant injury or the unnecessary and wanton 27 infliction of pain and (2) the defendant’s response was deliberately indifferent. Jett, 439 28 JDDL-K As discussed in this Court’s previous Order, not every claim by a prisoner relating F.3d at 1096 (quotations omitted). -4- A 1 “Deliberate indifference is a high legal standard.” Toguchi v. Chung, 391 F.3d 2 1051, 1060 (9th Cir. 2004). To act with deliberate indifference, a prison official must 3 both know of and disregard an excessive risk to inmate health; “the official must both be 4 aware of facts from which the inference could be drawn that a substantial risk of serious 5 harm exists, and he must also draw the inference.” Farmer v. Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 6 837 (1994). 7 purposeful act or failure to respond to a prisoner’s pain or possible medical need and 8 harm caused by the indifference. Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096. Deliberate indifference may 9 also be shown when a prison official intentionally denies, delays, or interferes with 10 medical treatment or by the way prison doctors respond to the prisoner’s medical needs. 11 Estelle, 429 U.S. at 104-05; Jett, 439 F.3d at 1096. Deliberate indifference in the medical context may be shown by a 12 Deliberate indifference is a higher standard than negligence or lack of ordinary 13 due care for the prisoner’s safety. Farmer, 511 U.S. at 835. “Neither negligence nor 14 gross negligence will constitute deliberate indifference.” Clement v. California Dep’t of 15 Corr., 220 F. Supp. 2d 1098, 1105 (N.D. Cal. 2002); see also Broughton v. Cutter Labs., 16 622 F.2d 458, 460 (9th Cir. 1980) (mere claims of “indifference,” “negligence,” or 17 “medical malpractice” do not support a claim under § 1983). “A difference of opinion 18 does not amount to deliberate indifference to [a plaintiff’s] serious medical needs.” 19 Sanchez v. Vild, 891 F.2d 240, 242 (9th Cir. 1989). A mere delay in medical care, 20 without more, is insufficient to state a claim against prison officials for deliberate 21 indifference. See Shapley v. Nevada Bd. of State Prison Comm’rs, 766 F.2d 404, 407 22 (9th Cir. 1985). The indifference must be substantial. The action must rise to a level of 23 “unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain.” Estelle, 429 U.S. at 105. 24 25 As with his original Complaint, Plaintiff’s bare allegation that Defendant Clark 26 “was aware of my medical condition” is not sufficient to support a claim against 27 Defendant Clark for which relief could be granted. Plaintiff has provided no information 28 JDDL-K A. on when Defendant Clark became aware of Plaintiff’s condition, what Defendant Clark Defendant Clark -5- 1 knew about Plaintiff’s condition, whether Defendant Clark was aware of the dentists’ and 2 surgeons’ recommendations that Plaintiff receive surgery (or, indeed, when these 3 recommendations were made, by whom, and to whom), or whether Defendant Clark was 4 aware of the consequences to Plaintiff if he did not receive surgery. 5 Plaintiff has failed to state a claim against Defendant Clark for which relief could be 6 granted, and Defendant Clark will thus be dismissed. Accordingly, 7 B. 8 As with Defendant Clark, Plaintiff has failed to allege sufficient facts to support a 9 claim against Defendant Carlyon for which relief could be granted. Again, Plaintiff’s 10 bare allegation that Defendant Carlyon “was aware about [Plaintiff’s] medical need” is 11 insufficient to state a claim. Plaintiff has not provided any information about when 12 Defendant Carlyon became aware of Plaintiff’s condition, what Defendant Carlyon knew 13 about Plaintiff’s condition, whether Defendant Carlyon was aware of the various 14 recommendations that Plaintiff have surgery, or whether Defendant Carlyon was aware of 15 the consequences to Plaintiff if he did not receive surgery. Moreover, while Defendant 16 Carlyon may have denied Plaintiff a medical furlough, Plaintiff has provided no 17 information about the context of that denial – such as what information was contained in 18 the furlough request, when Defendant Carlyon received the request, or whether 19 Defendant Carlyon provided any basis for the denial. Accordingly, Plaintiff has failed to 20 state a claim against Defendant Carlyon for which relief could be granted, and Defendant 21 Carlyon will thus be dismissed. Defendant Carlyon 22 23 Plaintiff has similarly failed to allege sufficient facts to support a claim against 24 Defendant Garcia for which relief could be granted. Plaintiff states that Defendant 25 Garcia was made aware of Plaintiff’s condition “prior to [Plaintiff’s] arrest” on August 26 21, 2013, and that on February 27, 2014, Defendant Garcia denied a grievance Plaintiff 27 filed regarding a medical procedure request for Plaintiff. 28 JDDL-K C. information on what occurred in the intervening five months, such as whether Defendant Defendant Garcia -6- Plaintiff provides no 1 Garcia was aware of the dentists’ and surgeons’ recommendations that Plaintiff receive 2 surgery, or whether Defendant Garcia was aware of the consequences to Plaintiff if he 3 did not receive surgery. Indeed, Plaintiff has provided no information about what was 4 contained in the grievance request other than that it had something to do with a “medical 5 procedure.” In short Plaintiff has not provided sufficient information for the Court to 6 evaluate whether or not Defendant Garcia (or any of the other named Defendants) acted 7 with deliberate indifference to a serious medical need. Accordingly, Plaintiff has failed 8 to state a claim against Defendant Garcia for which relief could be granted, and 9 Defendant Garcia will be dismissed. 10 IV. Leave to Amend 11 Because Plaintiff has failed to state a claim against any named Defendant for 12 which relief could be granted, the First Amended Complaint will be dismissed. Within 13 30 days, Plaintiff may submit a second amended complaint to cure the deficiencies 14 outlined above. The Clerk of Court will mail Plaintiff a court-approved form to use for 15 filing a second amended complaint. If Plaintiff fails to use the court-approved form, the 16 Court may strike the second amended complaint and dismiss this action without further 17 notice to Plaintiff. 18 Plaintiff must clearly designate on the face of the document that it is the “Second 19 Amended Complaint.” The second amended complaint must be retyped or rewritten in 20 its entirety on the court-approved form and may not incorporate any part of the original 21 Complaint or First Amended Complaint by reference. Plaintiff may include only one 22 claim per count. 23 24 Amended Complaint. Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258, 1262 (9th Cir. 1992); Hal 25 Roach Studios v. Richard Feiner & Co., 896 F.2d 1542, 1546 (9th Cir. 1990). After 26 amendment, the Court will treat the original Complaint and First Amended Complaint as 27 nonexistent. Ferdik, 963 F.2d at 1262. Any cause of action that was raised in the 28 JDDL-K A second amended complaint supersedes the original Complaint and First original complaint or first amended complaint and that was voluntarily dismissed or was -7- 1 dismissed without prejudice is waived if it is not alleged in a second amended complaint. 2 Lacey v. Maricopa County, 693 F.3d 896, 928 (9th Cir. 2012) (en banc). 3 If Plaintiff files an amended complaint, Plaintiff must write short, plain statements 4 telling the Court: (1) the constitutional right Plaintiff believes was violated; (2) the name 5 of the Defendant who violated the right; (3) exactly what that Defendant did or failed to 6 do; (4) how the action or inaction of that Defendant is connected to the violation of 7 Plaintiff’s constitutional right; and (5) what specific injury Plaintiff suffered because of 8 that Defendant’s conduct. See Rizzo v. Goode, 423 U.S. 362, 371-72, 377 (1976). 9 Plaintiff must repeat this process for each person he names as a Defendant. If 10 Plaintiff fails to affirmatively link the conduct of each named Defendant with the specific 11 injury suffered by Plaintiff, the allegations against that Defendant will be dismissed for 12 failure to state a claim. 13 Defendants has violated a constitutional right are not acceptable and will be 14 dismissed. 15 V. Conclusory allegations that a Defendant or group of Motion for Clarification 16 Plaintiff’s Motion for Clarification seeks clarification on the number of pages 17 contained in the Court’s Notice dated August 22, 2014 (Doc. 8), and in the Court’s 18 Minute entry dated August 29, 2014 (Doc. 9). Plaintiff states that he received three pages 19 of the August 22 Notice, and is unsure if this is all of the pages contained in the Notice; 20 Plaintiff further states that he only received one page of the August 29 Minute Entry, and 21 is unsure if he received the entirety of that document. 22 23 Plaintiff is informed that the August 22 Notice contained three pages, and the August 29 Minute Entry contained one page. VI. 24 Motion for Status Plaintiff’s Motion for Status will be granted to the extent this Order informs him 25 of the current status of this action. 26 VII. Warnings 27 28 JDDL-K A. If released from custody, Plaintiff must pay the unpaid balance of the filing fee Release -8- 1 within 120 days of his release. Also, within 30 days of his release, he must either (1) 2 notify the Court that he intends to pay the balance or (2) show good cause, in writing, 3 why he cannot. Failure to comply may result in dismissal of this action. 4 B. 5 If Plaintiff’s address changes, Plaintiff must file and serve a notice of a change of 6 address in accordance with Rule 83.3(d) of the Local Rules of Civil Procedure. Plaintiff 7 must not include a motion for other relief with a notice of change of address. Failure to 8 comply may result in dismissal of this action. 9 C. Address Changes Copies 10 Because Plaintiff is currently confined in an Arizona Department of Corrections 11 unit subject to General Order 14-17, Plaintiff is not required to submit an additional copy 12 of every filing for use by the Court, as would ordinarily be required by Local Rule of 13 Civil Procedure 5.4. If Plaintiff is transferred to a unit other than one subject to General 14 Order 14-17, he will be notified of the requirements regarding copies for the Court that 15 are required for inmates whose cases are not subject to General Order 14-17. 16 17 Because the First Amended Complaint has been dismissed for failure to state a 18 claim, if Plaintiff fails to file a second amended complaint correcting the deficiencies 19 identified in this Order, the dismissal may count as a “strike” under the “3-strikes” 20 provision of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Under the 3-strikes provision, a prisoner may not bring 21 a civil action or appeal a civil judgment in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 “if the 22 prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, 23 brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the 24 grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be 25 granted, unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury.” 28 26 U.S.C. § 1915(g). 27 .... 28 JDDL-K D. .... Possible “Strike” -9- 1 E. 2 If Plaintiff fails to timely comply with every provision of this Order, including 3 these warnings, the Court may dismiss this action without further notice. See Ferdik, 963 4 F.2d at 1260-61 (a district court may dismiss an action for failure to comply with any 5 order of the Court). 6 IT IS ORDERED: 7 (1) Possible Dismissal The First Amended Complaint (Doc. 7) is dismissed for failure to state a 8 claim. Plaintiff has 30 days from the date this Order is filed to file a second amended 9 complaint in compliance with this Order. 10 (2) If Plaintiff fails to file a second amended complaint within 30 days, the 11 Clerk of Court must, without further notice, enter a judgment of dismissal of this action 12 with prejudice that states that the dismissal may count as a “strike” under 28 U.S.C. 13 § 1915(g). 14 (3) Plaintiff’s Motion to Clarify Number of Pages (Doc. 10) is granted. 15 (4) Plaintiff’s Motion for Status (Doc. 11) is granted to the extent that this 16 17 18 19 Order informs Plaintiff of the status of this case. (5) The Clerk of Court must mail Plaintiff a court-approved form for filing a civil rights complaint by a prisoner. DATED this 21st day of November, 2014. 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 JDDL-K - 10 - 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 Fee. The filing fee for this action is $350.00. If you are unable to immediately pay the filing fee, 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. 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 $350 filing fee or the application to proceed in forma pauperis to: Revised 3/9/07 1 Phoenix & Prescott Divisions: OR U.S. District Court Clerk U.S. Courthouse, Suite 130 401 West Washington Street, SPC 10 Phoenix, Arizona 85003-2119 Tucson Division: U.S. District Court Clerk U.S. Courthouse, Suite 1500 405 West Congress Street 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. 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 courtapproved civil rights complaint form. You may file one amended complaint without leave (permission) of Court before any defendant has answered your original complaint. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a). After any defendant has filed an answer, 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. 2 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 “1A” 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,” “2B,” 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. 3 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. 4 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, vs. (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. 2. 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: . Institution/city where violation occurred: . Revised 3/9/07 1 550/555 B. DEFENDANTS 1. Name of first Defendant: at . The first Defendant is employed as: . (Position and Title) 2. (Institution) Name of second Defendant: at . The second Defendant is employed as: . (Position and Title) 3. (Institution) Name of third Defendant: at . The third Defendant is employed as: . (Position and Title) 4. (Institution) Name of fourth Defendant: at . The fourth Defendant is employed as: . (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? 2. If yes, how many lawsuits have you filed? G Yes G No . 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: v. 1. Parties: 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. 2 D. CAUSE OF ACTION 1. COUNT I 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 G Yes G No at your institution? 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. . 3 1. COUNT II 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. . 4 1. COUNT III 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 G Yes G No at your institution? 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. 5 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. 6