George Vasquez v. John Dwyer

377 F. App'x 225

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• Decided: April 22, 2010
• Docket: 18-2611
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

OPINION OF THE COURT

PER CURIAM.

George Vasquez filed a complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging that appellees had lost files containing his arrest warrant which he needed to prove his arrest was illegal. The District Court dismissed the complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B) and 1915A(b) for failure to state a claim and for seeking relief from defendants with immunity. Vasquez filed a timely notice of appeal.

Because Vasquez is proceeding in forma pauperis on this appeal, we must analyze his appeal for possible dismissal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). Under § 1915(e)(2)(B), we must dismiss an appeal if the action (i) is frivolous or malicious, (ii) fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or (iii) seeks monetary damages from a defendant with immunity. An action or appeal can be frivolous for either legal or factual reasons. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325, 109 S.Ct. 1827, 104 L.Ed.2d 338 (1989).

In his complaint, Vasquez alleged that John Dwyer, his public defender, intentionally lost his trial file because Vasquez had filed a complaint against him. As noted by the District Court, public defenders are not state actors. Polk County v. Dodson, 454 U.S. 312, 325, 102 S.Ct. 445, 70 L.Ed.2d 509 (1981). Thus, Vasquez’s allegations against appellee Dwyer fail to state a claim under § 1983. Moreover, according to a letter from Dwyer submitted by Vasquez in his habeas proceedings, Dwyer made substantial efforts to find Vasquez’s criminal file.

Vasquez alleged that James Avigliano, the prosecutor, purposely lost or destroyed his file to prevent him from getting a copy of the arrest warrant. However, Vasquez has not pleaded any facts to support his conclusory allegation that Avigliano destroyed the file and did so willfully. See Ashcroft v. Iqbal, — U.S. -, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1949, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009). Moreover, Avigliano has prosecutorial immunity. See Imbler v. Pachtman, 424 U.S. 409, 410, 96 S.Ct. 984, 47 L.Ed.2d 128 (1976).

Vasquez contended that Judge Clark of the Superior Court denied his post-conviction petition and ignored his motion to compel discovery. He alleged that she knew he had no files when she denied his PCR petition. Judge Clark is entitled to absolute immunity from suits for money damages. Stump v. Sparkman, 435 U.S. 349, 98 S.Ct. 1099, 55 L.Ed.2d 331 (1978).

Vasquez also asserted that Dominic Palumbo, the Manager of the Criminal Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, had an obligation to maintain his files and losing the file violated Vasquez’s rights to due process. We agree with the District Court that Vasquez’s allegations against appellee Palumbo fail to state a claim. See County of Sacramento v. Lewis, 523 U.S. 833, 849, 118 S.Ct. 1708, 140 L.Ed.2d 1043 (1998)(“[L]iability for negligently inflicted harm is categorically beneath the threshold of constitutional due process.”). Moreover, in a letter submitted by Vasquez in his habeas proceedings, Palumbo informed him that the Criminal Division does not maintain discovery such as an arrest warrant and affidavit.

Vasquez also requested release fi-om prison if his arrest warrant was not produced. This relief is not available in a civil rights action under § 1983 and must be sought via a writ of habeas corpus. Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 500, 93 S.Ct. 1827, 36 L.Ed.2d 439 (1973).

For the above reasons, we will dismiss the appeal under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).