Opinion ID: 592851
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Defendants Collins and Habra

Text: 9 Attorney Collins served as defense counsel for the City of Tucson in Johnson's state court action. Dr. Habra served as a witness for Johnson in Johnson's state court trial. Johnson alleges that Collins, Judge Gin, and Dr. Habra conspired to deprive Johnson of his constitutional rights during his state court trial. 10 A private attorney, even if appointed or paid for by the state, is not acting under color of state law when performing his or her functions as counsel. Polk County v. Dodson, 454 U.S. 312, 325 (1981). [A]n otherwise private person acts under color or state law, [however], when engaged in a conspiracy with state officials to deprive another of federal rights. Tower v. Glover, 467 U.S. 914, 920 (1982). 11 Here, Johnson alleges no facts showing an agreement between the defendants to deprive him of his constitutional rights. See Woodrum, 866 F.2d at 1126. Rather, he lists numerous vague and conclusory allegations of conspiracy which are clearly insufficient to withstand Collins' and Habra's motions to dismiss. See Ivey, 673 F.2d at 268.