Opinion ID: 1870501
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: the summary judgment and dismissal

Text: Absent a § 1983 claim, summary judgment and the motion to dismiss must be based upon state law grounds. Each of the defendants entered their own separate motions; however, some of them stated similar arguments for the motions. Their motions are grouped according to their similarity.
Deputies Joel Walters and David Franklin argue they are clothed in immunity; that the Barretts' challenge to the validity of the warrant was not supported by law; and that there was no connection between them and the damages that the Barretts allege. Walters and Franklin did present an affidavit of underlying facts and circumstances to a neutral magistrate and offered oral testimony to establish probable cause for the warrant. Our law does not require that the affidavit be attached to the warrant nor is it necessary to have Mrs. Barrett named in the warrant. The Barretts state no other evidence to establish a question of fact as to the validity of the warrant. The Barretts also failed to establish any connection between Walters and Franklin and the alleged damage to their property. Furthermore the action of the deputies in obtaining the search warrant was discretionary and not ministerial. As a matter of law these two deputies had qualified immunity and there exists no genuine issues of material fact as to their liability for the alleged damage to the Barretts' home. It is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the Barretts can prove no set of facts to establish a claim for relief against Walters and Franklin. Summary judgment and the dismissal were properly entered in favor of them.
Deputies Chris Robinson and C.M. Vincent executed the search warrant along with Chuck Fowler and Everett Moseley, who were not named as defendants in the suit. Robinson and Vincent contend in their motions and affidavits that they too were clothed with immunity, that they conducted the search in good faith, and that they did not cause any uncivil behavior toward the Barretts. These two deputies are not immune from suit under qualified or good faith immunity because they were engaged in a ministerial function. These officers were obligated to search the house in a manner to locate the items indicated in the warrant. They contend in their affidavits that they did search the house according to their training and education and did not destroy or damage any of the property of the Barretts. They did confiscate two boxes of rubber gloves as they believed that these were evidence. Having already considered the counter affidavits of the Barretts, we consider all affidavits in the light most favorable to the Barretts and giving them the benefit of every reasonable doubt, there is a genuine issue of fact existing as to whether the deputies caused compensable damage to the Barretts. It does not appear beyond a reasonable doubt that the Barretts can prove no set of facts upon which they would be entitled to relief. Summary judgment and dismissal was improper as to Deputies Robinson and Vincent.
Sheriff Miller contends that he was cloaked in immunity and was not involved in the search of the Barretts' home. Notwithstanding, Sheriff Miller is made liable for the actions of his deputies through Miss. Code Ann. § 19-25-19, which provides vicarious and respondeat superior liability to a sheriff for the actions of his deputies. Sheriff Miller has no liability for his own actions, but would be liable for the actions of his deputies if the deputies themselves are found to be liable. Summary judgment and dismissal as to Sheriff Miller was improper.
Continental, as the surety of the deputies and Sheriff Miller, is liable to the extent that the deputies and Sheriff Miller are found liable. Summary judgment and dismissal were therefore improperly granted in favor of Continental Insurance Company. The judgment of the lower court is affirmed as to the summary judgment and dismissal of the action against Deputies David Franklin and Joel Walters. In all other particulars, the judgment of the lower court is reversed and remanded for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion. AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED AND REMANDED IN PART. ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., HAWKINS and DAN M. LEE, P.JJ., and PRATHER, ROBERTSON, PITTMAN, BANKS and McRAE, JJ., concur.