Opinion ID: 604362
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Clear Absence of Jurisdiction

Text: 9 Jurisdiction is construed broadly where the issue is the immunity of a judge. Crooks, 913 F.2d at 701; see also Ashelman, 793 F.2d at 1076. Furthermore, acts performed in excess of judicial authority do not deprive the judge of immunity. Schucker v. Rockwood, 846 F.2d 1202, 1204 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 995 (1988). 10 In the present case, the ultimate acts Judge Beko performed were judicial in nature and were not in clear absence of jurisdiction. He had authority pursuant to Nev. Const. Art. 6, § 5 and Nev.Rev.Stat. §§ 6.110-6.145 and § 172.047 to impanel the grand jury. A district judge may impanel a grand jury to inquire into a specific limited matter among those set forth in NRS 172.175. Nev.Rev.Stat. § 172.047. 3 11 Davis refused to resign as Nye County Sheriff in response to threats of prosecution for obtaining travel compensation by false pretenses. Judge Beko impaneled a grand jury to investigate Davis's alleged misconduct. Judge Beko was acting within his authority and jurisdiction. Even were he acting in excess of his jurisdiction, he is protected because there was not a clear absence of jurisdiction. See Schucker, 846 F.2d at 1204 (judicial immunity applies even assuming judge misinterpreted statute and acted in excess of his jurisdiction). 12 Judge Beko is entitled to immunity regardless of his intent. See O'Neil, 642 F.2d at 370 (Evil intent is not sufficient element for piercing judicial immunity: judge will not be deprived of immunity because the action he took was done maliciously). Moreover, allegations that a conspiracy produced a certain decision should no more pierce the actor's immunity than allegations of bad faith, personal interest or outright malevolence. Ashelman, 793 F.2d at 1078. We conclude that Judge Beko is entitled to immunity because he performed ultimate judicial acts and properly exercised jurisdiction. 13 Davis also argues that Judge Beko conspired with Dunleavy to draft an anonymous letter requesting a Nye County Commissioner to persuade Davis to resign and that Judge Beko is not entitled to immunity for that act. However, Davis has failed to allege a causal connection between drafting the letter and any injury he suffered. Furthermore, Judge Beko's alleged conduct was purely private. Because private conduct does not create a cognizable claim under § 1983, District of Columbia v. Carter, 409 U.S. 418, 424 (1973), Davis is precluded from maintaining this action.