Court Opinion

ID: 746681
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2012-04-17 22:34:51+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:20:34.478658
License: Public Domain

125 F.3d 862
97 CJ C.A.R. 2147
NOTICE:  Although citation of unpublished opinions remains unfavored, unpublished opinions may now be cited if the opinion has persuasive value on a material issue, and a copy is attached to the citing document or, if cited in oral argument, copies are furnished to the Court and all parties.  See General Order of November 29, 1993, suspending 10th Cir. Rule 36.3 until December 31, 1995, or further order.
Lee R. PHILLIPS, Plaintiff-Appellant,v.George P. ELDER;  Marilyn S. Hutton, Assistant U.S.Attorney, Defendants-Appellees.
No. 97-2094.
United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit.
Oct. 2, 1997.

Before ANDERSON, BARRETT, and MURPHY, Circuit Judges.

1
ORDER AND JUDGMENT*

2
After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of this appeal.  See Fed.  R.App. P. 34(a);  10th Cir.  R. 34.1.9.  The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

3
Plaintiff Lee R. Phillips, appearing pro se, appeals the district court's order dismissing her complaint seeking warrants for defendants' arrest based on their roles as attorneys for the Air Force and the United States Government in a prior civil action brought by plaintiff.  The district court held that plaintiff lacked standing to initiate a criminal prosecution against another.  We affirm.

4
We review de novo the district court's order of dismissal with prejudice for lack of standing.  See United States v. Colorado Supreme Court, 87 F.3d 1161, 1164 (10th Cir.1996).  Plaintiff, as the party invoking federal jurisdiction, bears the burden to establish standing.  See id.   Therefore, she must show that (1) she has suffered an injury in fact, (2) there exists a causal connection between the injury and defendants' conduct, and (3) it is likely that the injury will be redressed by a favorable decision.  See Bennett v. Spear, 117 S.Ct. 1154, 1161 (1997).

5
An "injury in fact" must invade a legally protected interest.  See Colorado Supreme Court, 87 F.3d at 1164-65.   Here, plaintiff's complaint seeking prosecution of others did not involve a legally protected interest because "a private citizen lacks a judicially cognizable interest in the prosecution or nonprosecution of another."  Linda R.S. v. Richard D., 410 U.S. 614, 619 (1973);  see also Doyle v. Oklahoma Bar Ass'n, 998 F.2d 1559, 1566-67 (10th Cir.1993) (holding civil rights plaintiff lacked standing to require disciplinary proceedings to be filed against another).  Accordingly, we conclude that plaintiff lacks standing to require defendants' arrest on criminal charges.

6
The judgment of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico is AFFIRMED.  The mandate shall issue forthwith.

*
 This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel.  The court generally disfavors the citation of orders and judgments;  nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under the terms and conditions of 10th Cir.  R. 36.3