Opinion ID: 6984371
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Right of Access to the Courts and Due Process Claims

Text: As noted at the outset, Murphy also argues that the Prison’s interference with law clerk mail infringes inmates’ right of access to the courts. See Lewis v. Casey, 518 U.S. 343, 116 S.Ct. 2174, 135 L.Ed.2d 606 (1996); Bounds v. Smith, 430 U.S. 817, 97 S.Ct. 1491, 52 L.Ed.2d 72 (1977). Because we believe he is entitled to summary judgment on his First Amendment claim, we do not reach Murphy’s “right of access to the courts” arguments. We must, however, address at least a portion of Murphy’s due process claim. Murphy contends that Rule 009 and Rule 022, both as applied to him and on their face, are so vague as to violate principles of due process. In light of our resolution of Murphy’s First Amendment claim, 'we do not reach his “as applied” challenge to the Prison rules at issue. As for Murphy’s facial challenge to Rule 009 and 022, we begin with the proposition that “[i]t is clearly established, both by common sense and precedent, that due process requires fair notice of what conduct is prohibited before a sanction can be imposed.” Newell v. Sauser, 79 F.3d 115, 117 (9th Cir.1996). Consequently, in order to comply with the dictates of the Due Process Clause, a prison regulation must provide fair notice of what is prohibited before a sanction can be imposed. See id.; accord Rios v. Lane, 812 F.2d 1032, 1039 (7th Cir.1987); Adams v. Gunnell, 729 F.2d 362, 368-69 (5th Cir.1984). Murphy maintains that Rules 009 and 022 do not adequately define the conduct that comes within their scope. This argument fails to persuade—the regulations certainly provide adequate notice to prisoners generally. Rule 009, for example, applies to “words ... intended to harass or cause alarm in an employee.” This definition is supplemented by the following examples: “Cursing; abusive language, writing or gestures directed to an employee.” Rule 022, while it lacks a general definition, provides a laundry list of clear examples: “Intimidating or tampering with an informant or witness; tampering with or destroying evidence; interfering with an employee in the process of writing a conduct report; making a false statement of misconduct against another inmate or staff that could result in disciplinary action.” While clearer language could be imagined, the challenged regulations are the sort that every prison enforces in order to maintain order. Murphy has not produced any authority to support his facial challenge, and we reject it.