Source: http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20130501_0002810.CCA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2017-01-17 03:14:50
Document Index: 535707155

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1983', '§ 1915', '§ 1997', '§ 1915', '§ 1915', '§ 1997', '§ 1915', '§ 1391', '§ 1391', '§ 1983', '§ 1983']

| Gregory A. Lyons v. People of the State of California
Gregory A. Lyons v. People of the State of California
GREGORY A. LYONS, PLAINTIFF,v.PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEFENDANT.
Gregory A. Lyons, a California state prisoner currently incarcerated at Terminal Annex, in Los Angeles, California, purported to file a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus by a Person in State Custody herein on March 15, 2013. However, the petition alleged a "violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Retaliation), [sic] of US Constitution, violation of 28 U.S.C. 1654." Further, in an attachment, Lyons appeared to allege that he has suffered retaliation for reporting that several jail deputies burned copies of the Quran. He claimed that, because he is being held in maximum security, he is being denied education, a low-sodium diet, "medical and dental," and other benefits, and also alleges that he has "suffered beatings from Deputies." By way of a separate minute order dated April 29, 2013, the Court explained that because the claims challenged the conditions, rather than the duration, of Lyon's confinement, they could not properly be asserted in a habeas petition. The Court therefore exercised its discretion to construe the petition as a civil rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 ("Complaint").
On April 22, 2013, Lyons also filed an "Emergency Request for a Protective Order," which, in the same minute order referenced above, the Court construed as an application for a temporary restraining order ("Application"). The Court denied the Application because Lyons had failed to meet the standard for injunctive relief, but explained that he could renew his application with a discussion of the relevant factors for such relief.
In accordance with the terms of the "Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1995" ("PLRA"), the Court now has screened the Complaint, so construed, prior to ordering service for purposes of determining whether the action is frivolous or malicious; or fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted; or seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2), 1915A(b); 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(c)(1).
The Court's screening of the Complaint under the foregoing statutes is governed by the following standards. A complaint may be dismissed as a matter of law for failure to state a claim for two reasons: (1) Lack of a cognizable legal theory; or (2) insufficient facts under a cognizable legal theory. See Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep't, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990). In determining whether a complaint states a claim on which relief may be granted, allegations of material fact are taken as true and construed in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. See Love v. United States, 915 F.2d 1242, 1245 (9th Cir. 1989). Moreover, since plaintiff is appearing pro se, the Court must construe the allegations of the Complaint liberally and must afford plaintiff the benefit of any doubt. See Karim-Panahi v. Los Angeles Police Dep't, 839 F.2d 621, 623 (9th Cir. 1988). However, "the liberal pleading standard . . . applies only to a plaintiff's factual allegations." Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 330 n.9, 109 S. Ct. 1827, 104 L. Ed. 2d 338 (1989). "[A] liberal interpretation of a civil rights complaint may not supply essential elements of the claim that were not initially pled." Bruns v. Nat'l Credit Union Admin., 122 F.3d 1251, 1257 (9th Cir. 1997) (quoting Ivey v. Bd. of Regents, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982)).
Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a), a complaint must contain "a short and complete statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief." As the Supreme Court has held, Rule 8(a) "requires a 'showing,' rather than a blanket assertion, of entitlement to relief," and that "a plaintiff's obligation to provide the 'grounds' of his 'entitle[ment] to relief' requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do. . . . Factual allegations must be enough to raise a right to relief above the speculative level." See Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555-56, 127 S. Ct. 1955, 167 L. Ed. 2d 929 (2007) (internal citations omitted). Where the allegations in a complaint "do not permit the court to infer more than the mere possibility of misconduct, the complaint has alleged--but it has not 'show[n]'--'that the pleader is entitled to relief.'" Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678, 129 S. Ct. 1937; 173 L. Ed. 2d 868 (2009), quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Thus, plaintiff must allege a minimum factual and legal basis for each claim that is sufficient to give each defendant fair notice of what plaintiff's claims are and the grounds upon which they rest. See, e.g., Brazil v. United States Dep't of the Navy, 66 F.3d 193, 199 (9th Cir. 1995); McKeever v. Block, 932 F.2d 795, 798 (9th Cir. 1991). Moreover, failure to comply with Rule 8(a) constitutes an independent basis for dismissal of a complaint that applies even if the claims in a complaint are not found to be wholly without merit. See McHenry v. Renne, 84 F.3d 1172, 1179 (9th Cir. 1996); Nevijel v. North Coast Life Ins. Co., 651 F.2d 671, 673 (9th Cir. 1981).
After careful review and consideration of the Complaint under the foregoing standards, the Court finds that it suffers from the following pleading deficiencies. First, petitioner has failed to make an adequate showing of indigency. The PLRA amended 28 U.S.C. § 1915 to provide, inter alia, that all prisoners who file civil actions must pay the full amount of the filing fee, and that any prisoner seeking to file a complaint in a civil action without prepayment of fees must submit a completed Declaration in Support of Request to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. In addition, prisoners must submit a certified copy of their prison trust fund account statement for the 6-month period immediately preceding the filing of his/her complaint, obtained from the appropriate official of the prison at which the prisoner is confined. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(a)(1)-(2), 1915(b)(1). Here, when plaintiff submitted his "Petition" for filing, he failed to submit a certified copy of his trust account statement for the last six months.
Moreover, as the current action was not submitted on a civil rights complaint form, certain critical information, such as the name and capacity in which the defendants are sued, is lacking. The Court notes that petitioner has merely alleged the "People of the State of California" as the party to his action, but the Eleventh Amendment bars suits by private citizens against state governments. See Natural Resources Defense Council v. California Dep't of Transp., 96 F.3d 420, 421 (9th Cir. 1996). Finally, it appears from the face of the Complaint that plaintiff has not exhausted this administrative remedies as also required by the PLRA. See 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a).
Accordingly, the Complaint is dismissed with leave to amend.*fn1 See Noll v. Carlson, 809 F.2d 1446, 1448 (9th Cir. 1987) (holding that a pro se litigant must be given leave to amend his complaint unless it is absolutely clear that the deficiencies of the complaint cannot be cured by amendment). If plaintiff still desires to pursue this action, he is ORDERED to file a First Amended Complaint within thirty (30) days of the date of this Order remedying the deficiencies discussed above.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING A CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT BY A PRISONER - GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
4 copies - complaint form 4 copies - declaration to proceed without prepayment of filing fees
In order for your complaint to be filed, you must submit the original and two copies of both the complaint and declaration to the Clerk. The remaining copy of each is for you to keep for your records. Your complaint must be typewritten or legibly handwritten in ink. You, the plaintiff, must sign and declare under penalty of perjury that the facts are correct. If you need additional space to answer a question, you must use the reverse side of the form or an additional blank page. You must file a separate complaint for each claim unless they are all related to the same incident or issue. You are required to allege facts; not legal arguments or authorities.
Payment of filing fee required
In accordance with 1996 amendments to the in forma pauperis statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1915, as a prisoner you will be obligated to pay the full filing fee of $350 for a civil action regardless of your forma pauperis status and the disposition of the case. If you have the money to pay the filing fee, you should submit a cashier's check, certified bank check, business or corporate check, government issued check, or money order drawn on a major America bank or the United States Postal Service, payable
Clerk of Court and mail it with your complaint to the address listed on the reverse side of these instructions. The Clerk's Office will also accept credit cards (Mastercard/Visa, Discover, American Express) for filing fees and miscellaneous fees. Credit card payments may be made at all payment windows where receipts are issued.
Request to pay filing fee in monthly installments
If you do not have the money to pay the full filing fee, you must complete the Request to Proceed Without Prepayment of Filing Fees with Declaration in Support. The Declaration must be returned to the Court with your complaint. NOTE: You must have a prison or jail official complete the Certification Section on the Declaration and attach to the Declaration a certified copy of your prison or jail trust account statement for the six months immediately preceding the filing of the complaint. If you submit an incomplete Declaration or do not submit a prison or jail trust account statement with the Declaration, your request to proceed without prepayment of the filing fees may be denied.
Initial partial filing fee assessment
If your request to proceed without prepayment of filing fees is granted, the Court will assess an initial partial filing fee at the time your action is filed. The initial partial filing fee will be equal to 20% of the average monthly deposits to your prison or jail account for the six months immediately preceding the filing of the action, or 20% of the average monthly balance in your prison or jail account for that same six month period, whichever is greater. The Court will order the agency that has custody of you to take that initial partial filing fee out of your prison or jail account as soon as funds are available and forward the money to the Clerk of Court.
Collection of balance of filing fee
After the initial partial filing fee has been paid, you will owe the balance of the filing fee. Until the amount of the filing fee is paid in full, each month you will owe 20% of your preceding month's income toward the balance. The agency that has custody of you will collect that money and send payments to the Clerk of Court any time the amount in your account exceeds Regardless of whether some or all of the filing fee has been paid, the Court is required to screen your complaint and to dismiss the complaint if: 1) your allegation of poverty is untrue; 2) the action is frivolous or malicious; 3) your complaint does not state a claim on which relief can be granted; or 4) you sue a defendant for money damages and that defendant is immune from liability for money damages.
If you file more than three actions or appeals while you are a prisoner which are dismissed as frivolous or malicious or for failure to state a claim on which relief can be granted, you will be prohibited from bringing any other actions in forma pauperis unless you are in imminent danger of serious physical injury. NOTE: You are required under penalties of perjury to provide accurate information regarding previous filings. Failure to provide this information may result in the immediate dismissal of your complaint.
To determine whether jurisdiction and venue are proper in this Court:
! AGAINST FEDERAL DEFENDANTS, please refer to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(e) and Bivens v. Six Unknown
Federal Narcotics Agents, 403 U.S. 388, 397 (1971);
! AGAINST NON-FEDERAL DEFENDANTS, please refer to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b) for claims brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
If your request to proceed without prepayment of the filing fees is approved, the Court will determine whether the United States Marshal should serve the defendant(s) on your behalf.
INQUIRIES AND COPYING REQUESTS
Because of the large volume of cases filed by prisoners in this Court and limited court resources, the Court and Clerk's Office will not answer inquires concerning the status of your case or provide copies of documents, except at a charge of fifty cents ($0.50) per page. You must therefore keep copies of all documents submitted to the court for your own records.
Mail the original and the two copies of the following completed documents to the address below: complaint and declaration to proceed without prepayment of filing fees (if applicable): United States District Court Central District of California 312 North Spring Street, Room G-8 Los Angeles, California 90012 ATTENTION: PRO SE CLERK Telephone: (213) 894-7984 COMMITTED NAME (if different) FULL ADDRESS INCLUDING NAME OF INSTITUTION PRISON NUMBER (if applicable) UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA CASE NUMBER To be supplied by the Clerk PLAINTIFF, v. CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT PURSUANT TO (Check one) G 42 U.S.C. § 1983 G Bivens v. Six Unknown Agents 403 U.S. 388 (1971) DEFENDANT(S).
TO MAIL THE COMPLAINT
e. Disposition (For example: Was the case dismissed? If so, what was the basis for dismissal? Was it
appealed? Is it still pending?)
Is there a grievance procedure available at the institution where the events relating to your current complaint occurred? G Yes G No
Have you filed a grievance concerning the facts relating to your current complaint? G Yes G No
Is the grievance procedure completed? G Yes G No
Please attach copies of papers related to the grievance procedure.
This complaint alleges that the civil rights of plaintiff
The defendant is sued in his/her (Check one or both): G individual G official capacity.
Explain how this defendant was acting under color of law:
Supporting Facts: Include all facts you consider important. State the facts clearly, in your own words, and without
citing legal authority or argument. Be certain you describe, in separately numbered paragraphs, exactly what each
DEFENDANT (by name) did to violate your right.