Opinion ID: 524972
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Proceedings Before The Magistrate

Text: 5 We turn next to the issue of whether the proceedings below properly dismissed Favors's cause of action. On appeal, Favors argues that the procedural posture of the case was the parties' motions for summary judgment. He thus asserts that there were disputed issues of material fact concerning the use of excessive force against him by the correctional officers and his due process claims. In short, Favors argues that the district court erred in resolving disputed issues of fact and in making critical credibility determinations. Appellees contend that the case was properly dismissed at the end of the hearing before the Magistrate upon appellees' motion to dismiss. 6 We cannot adopt either of these interpretations of the procedural posture upon which the case was decided. The issue, instead, appears to be the question of the propriety of the magistrate's actions and the scope of his statutory authority. Bearing in mind that these seemingly important issues were neither effectively raised nor briefed by the parties, we decline to rule on them in this case, but simply affirm the district court's judgment of dismissal. 7 Judgment affirmed.