Court Opinion

ID: 3058008
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-14 00:21:26.830123+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:05:43.239248
License: Public Domain

[DO NOT PUBLISH]

               IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

                        FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT           FILED
                         ________________________ U.S. COURT OF APPEALS
                                                            ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
                                No. 10-14868                   APRIL 24, 2012
                          ________________________              JOHN LEY
                                                                 CLERK
                      D. C. Docket No. 2:08-cv-00002-SLB

DORIS RUFFINO, as personal representative
of the estate of Anthony Ruffino,

                                                                  Plaintiff-Appellee,

                                        versus

CITY OF HOOVER, ALABAMA,
RODERICK GLOVER, Sgt; in his Official
capacity as an agent for the City of Hoover and
the Hoover Police Department,

                                                          Defendants-Appellants,

HOOVER POLICE DEPARTMENT,

                                                                         Defendant.

                          ________________________

                   Appeal from the United States District Court
                      for the Northern District of Alabama
                          ________________________

                                 (April 24, 2012)
Before EDMONDSON and WILSON, Circuit Judges, and VINSON,* District
Judge.

PER CURIAM:

       This case involves the alleged violation of Plaintiff’s federal and state rights

and the applicability of federal qualified immunity and state-law immunity to the

acts of a state officer making an arrest.1

       Briefly stated, Plaintiff -- pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 -- contends that

Defendant Glover subjected him to unlawful seizure, excessive force, and

malicious prosecution, all in violation of Plaintiff’s federal rights. Plaintiff also

contends Defendant violated different Alabama state laws. Defendant says he is

entitled to federal qualified immunity and to state law-based immunity.

       Providing no explanation of its reasoning, the district court summarily

denied part of Defendant’s summary judgment motion, granted part of Defendant’s

summary judgment motion, and granted partial summary judgment in favor of

   *
     Honorable C. Roger Vinson, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Florida,
sitting by designation.

   1
    The original Plaintiff -- Anthony Ruffino -- is now deceased. We granted a motion to
substitute Doris Ruffino as personal representative of the estate of Anthony Ruffino. In this
opinion, “Plaintiff” refers to Anthony Ruffino.

                                                2
Plaintiff. We disapprove of such unexplained orders, particularly orders denying

immunity.

      On many occasions, we have instructed district courts “that their orders

should contain sufficient explanations of their rulings so as to provide this Court

with an opportunity to engage in meaningful appellate review.” Danley v. Allen,

480 F.3d 1090, 1091 (11th Cir. 2007) (per curiam).

      We could of course strain to review the record and applicable case law and

adjudicate this appeal without a detailed order from the district court. But that

course would be difficult and time consuming for the appellate court. We need a

chart. A reasoned district court order fully and adequately explaining the facts

before, and the thinking of, the district court would help us and benefit the parties

and the process.

      Especially in the light of our supervisory powers, we vacate the district

court’s summary judgment order and remand the case to the district court to enter

a different order that provides full insight into the details of the district court’s

findings and conclusions.

      VACATED and REMANDED.

                                            3