Court Opinion

ID: 9476136
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 05:48:03.410007+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:45:08.583517
License: Public Domain

ANDERSON, Circuit Judge,
concurring in the judgment:
Though I concur in the judgment of the court, I believe that its discussion of distinctions between the standard for dismissal of a frivolous claim under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d) and the standard for dismissal under Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim is unnecessary to a resolution of the case.
Harris’ claim against Judge Menendez is plainly barred because Judge Menendez is absolutely immune from a suit for damages for the actions he is alleged to have taken. See Dennis v. Sparks, 449 U.S. 24, 27-29, 101 S.Ct. 183, 186-87, 66 L.Ed.2d 185 (1980). Similarly, state attorney Hermida is absolutely immune from a suit for damages for prosecuting Harris. See Imbler v. Pachtman, 424 U.S. 409, 430, 96 S.Ct. 984, 994, 47 L.Ed.2d 128 (1976). Harris’ other allegations áre merely conclusory. A mere conclusory allegation is not sufficient when the actual facts will not support a reliable inference that the allegation is true. . Thus, Harris’ complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted and would be properly dismissed under Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6).
Since I conclude that the district court has not abused its discretion in dismissing this complaint as frivolous pursuant to § 1915(d), and that, had the district court applied Rule 12(b)(6), it would have been equally correct in dismissing this complaint for failure to state a claim, I do not believe that it is necessary to discuss any distinctions which might exist between the two standards. It is sufficient for us to conclude that no abuse of discretion has occurred, and we need not resolve the tension between the two standards which may exist in our precedent.
For the foregoing reasons, I concur in the judgment of the court and would affirm the district court’s order dismissing Harris’ complaint as frivolous.