1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 BRODERICK J. WARFIELD, No. 2:21–cv–00157–KJM–KJN PS 12 Plaintiff, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO DISMISS 13 v. (ECF No. 1, 2) 14 ATTORNEY GENERAL STATE OF CALIFORNIA, et al., 15 Defendant. 16 17 Plaintiff, who proceeds in this action without counsel, requested leave to proceed in forma 18 pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. (ECF No. 2.)1 Plaintiff’s application in support of makes 19 the showing required by the statute, and so the request to proceed IFP is granted. 20 The determination that a plaintiff may proceed in forma pauperis does not complete the 21 required inquiry. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, the court is directed to dismiss the case at any 22 time if it determines that the allegation of poverty is untrue, or if the action is frivolous or 23 malicious, fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief against 24 an immune defendant. The court finds plaintiff’s complaint is frivolous and seeks relief against 25 immune defendants. Therefore, the court recommends that the action be dismissed with 26 prejudice. 27 1 This case proceeds before the undersigned pursuant to E.D. Cal. L.R. 302(c)(21) and 28 U.S.C. 28 § 636(b)(1) for the entry of findings and recommendations. See Local Rule 304. 1 Legal Standard 2 A federal court has an independent duty to assess whether federal subject matter 3 jurisdiction exists, whether or not the parties raise the issue. See United Investors Life Ins. Co. v. 4 Waddell & Reed Inc., 360 F.3d 960, 967 (9th Cir. 2004) (stating that “the district court had a duty 5 to establish subject matter jurisdiction over the removed action sua sponte, whether the parties 6 raised the issue or not”); accord Rains v. Criterion Sys., Inc., 80 F.3d 339, 342 (9th Cir. 1996). 7 The court must sua sponte dismiss the case if, at any time, it determines that it lacks subject 8 matter jurisdiction. Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3). A federal district court generally has original 9 jurisdiction over a civil action when: (1) a federal question is presented in an action “arising 10 under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States” or (2) there is complete diversity of 11 citizenship and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1332(a). 12 Further, to avoid dismissal for failure to state a claim, a complaint must contain more than 13 “naked assertions,” “labels and conclusions,” or “a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause 14 of action.” Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555-57 (2007). In other words, 15 “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory 16 statements do not suffice.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). A claim upon which the 17 court can grant relief has facial plausibility. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570. “A claim has facial 18 plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable 19 inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678. When 20 considering whether a complaint states a claim upon which relief can be granted, the court must 21 accept the well-pled factual allegations as true, Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007), and 22 construe the complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, see Papasan v. Allain, 478 U.S. 23 265, 283 (1986). 24 Pro se pleadings are liberally construed. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520-21 25 (1972); Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep’t., 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1988). Unless it is clear 26 that no amendment can cure the defects of a complaint, a pro se plaintiff proceeding in forma 27 pauperis is ordinarily entitled to notice and an opportunity to amend before dismissal. See Noll v. 28 Carlson, 809 F.2d 1446, 1448 (9th Cir. 1987) superseded on other grounds by statute as stated in 1 Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122 (9th Cir.2000)) (en banc); Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 2 1230 (9th Cir. 1984). Nevertheless, leave to amend need not be granted when further amendment 3 would be futile, as when the complaint contains legally frivolous claims. See Cahill v. Liberty 4 Mut. Ins. Co., 80 F.3d 336, 339 (9th Cir. 1996). A claim is legally frivolous when it lacks an 5 arguable basis either in law or in fact. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989); Franklin v. 6 Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1227-28 (9th Cir. 1984). The court may, therefore, dismiss a claim as 7 frivolous where it is based on an indisputably meritless legal theory or where the factual 8 contentions are clearly baseless. Neitzke, 490 U.S. at 327. 9 Analysis 10 Plaintiff purportedly pursues a breach of contract claim against Judge Nelson E. Bradley, 11 the Attorney General of California, the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Solano 12 County Public Defender’s Office, and the Solano County Superior Court. (See ECF No. 1.) 13 Plaintiff claims to have had a written contract with defendants to have certain military and health 14 records from the United States Air Force Hospital and Department of Defense returned to him by 15 the Solano County Public Defender’s Office. Allegedly, defendant’s failure to return certain 16 documents jeopardized plaintiff’s Marsden motion and created a conflict of interest in plaintiff’s 17 underlying criminal case. Plaintiff seeks $500,000,000.00 in damages for emotional distress, 18 cruel and unusual punishment, conflict of interest, duress, and pain and suffering. Additionally, 19 plaintiff requests for all editorials allegedly defaming him to be omitted from the internet, to have 20 all defendants removed from the State Bar Association, and for further sanctions to be issued. 21 Plaintiff attached to his complaint an article describing events from 2018, where Judge Nelson 22 required plaintiff to take psychotropic medication during his confinement at Napa State Hospital 23 while plaintiff was awaiting disposition of pending criminal charges. 24 Here, the court finds plaintiff’s complaint fails to state a claim that gives rise to federal 25 jurisdiction. Plaintiff has only stated that he is attempting to bring a breach of contract claim, 26 which is a state law claim and therefore does not qualify for Section 1331 jurisdiction.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 BRODERICK J. WARFIELD, No. 2:21–cv–00157–KJM–KJN PS 12 Plaintiff, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO DISMISS 13 v. (ECF No. 1, 2) 14 ATTORNEY GENERAL STATE OF CALIFORNIA, et al., 15 Defendant. 16 17 Plaintiff, who proceeds in this action without counsel, requested leave to proceed in forma 18 pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. (ECF No. 2.)1 Plaintiff’s application in support of makes 19 the showing required by the statute, and so the request to proceed IFP is granted. 20 The determination that a plaintiff may proceed in forma pauperis does not complete the 21 required inquiry. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, the court is directed to dismiss the case at any 22 time if it determines that the allegation of poverty is untrue, or if the action is frivolous or 23 malicious, fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief against 24 an immune defendant. The court finds plaintiff’s complaint is frivolous and seeks relief against 25 immune defendants. Therefore, the court recommends that the action be dismissed with 26 prejudice. 27 1 This case proceeds before the undersigned pursuant to E.D. Cal. L.R. 302(c)(21) and 28 U.S.C. 28 § 636(b)(1) for the entry of findings and recommendations. See Local Rule 304. 1 Legal Standard 2 A federal court has an independent duty to assess whether federal subject matter 3 jurisdiction exists, whether or not the parties raise the issue. See United Investors Life Ins. Co. v. 4 Waddell & Reed Inc., 360 F.3d 960, 967 (9th Cir. 2004) (stating that “the district court had a duty 5 to establish subject matter jurisdiction over the removed action sua sponte, whether the parties 6 raised the issue or not”); accord Rains v. Criterion Sys., Inc., 80 F.3d 339, 342 (9th Cir. 1996). 7 The court must sua sponte dismiss the case if, at any time, it determines that it lacks subject 8 matter jurisdiction. Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3). A federal district court generally has original 9 jurisdiction over a civil action when: (1) a federal question is presented in an action “arising 10 under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States” or (2) there is complete diversity of 11 citizenship and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1332(a). 12 Further, to avoid dismissal for failure to state a claim, a complaint must contain more than 13 “naked assertions,” “labels and conclusions,” or “a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause 14 of action.” Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555-57 (2007). In other words, 15 “[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory 16 statements do not suffice.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). A claim upon which the 17 court can grant relief has facial plausibility. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570. “A claim has facial 18 plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable 19 inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678. When 20 considering whether a complaint states a claim upon which relief can be granted, the court must 21 accept the well-pled factual allegations as true, Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007), and 22 construe the complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, see Papasan v. Allain, 478 U.S. 23 265, 283 (1986). 24 Pro se pleadings are liberally construed. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520-21 25 (1972); Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep’t., 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1988). Unless it is clear 26 that no amendment can cure the defects of a complaint, a pro se plaintiff proceeding in forma 27 pauperis is ordinarily entitled to notice and an opportunity to amend before dismissal. See Noll v. 28 Carlson, 809 F.2d 1446, 1448 (9th Cir. 1987) superseded on other grounds by statute as stated in 1 Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122 (9th Cir.2000)) (en banc); Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 2 1230 (9th Cir. 1984). Nevertheless, leave to amend need not be granted when further amendment 3 would be futile, as when the complaint contains legally frivolous claims. See Cahill v. Liberty 4 Mut. Ins. Co., 80 F.3d 336, 339 (9th Cir. 1996). A claim is legally frivolous when it lacks an 5 arguable basis either in law or in fact. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989); Franklin v. 6 Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1227-28 (9th Cir. 1984). The court may, therefore, dismiss a claim as 7 frivolous where it is based on an indisputably meritless legal theory or where the factual 8 contentions are clearly baseless. Neitzke, 490 U.S. at 327. 9 Analysis 10 Plaintiff purportedly pursues a breach of contract claim against Judge Nelson E. Bradley, 11 the Attorney General of California, the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Solano 12 County Public Defender’s Office, and the Solano County Superior Court. (See ECF No. 1.) 13 Plaintiff claims to have had a written contract with defendants to have certain military and health 14 records from the United States Air Force Hospital and Department of Defense returned to him by 15 the Solano County Public Defender’s Office. Allegedly, defendant’s failure to return certain 16 documents jeopardized plaintiff’s Marsden motion and created a conflict of interest in plaintiff’s 17 underlying criminal case. Plaintiff seeks $500,000,000.00 in damages for emotional distress, 18 cruel and unusual punishment, conflict of interest, duress, and pain and suffering. Additionally, 19 plaintiff requests for all editorials allegedly defaming him to be omitted from the internet, to have 20 all defendants removed from the State Bar Association, and for further sanctions to be issued. 21 Plaintiff attached to his complaint an article describing events from 2018, where Judge Nelson 22 required plaintiff to take psychotropic medication during his confinement at Napa State Hospital 23 while plaintiff was awaiting disposition of pending criminal charges. 24 Here, the court finds plaintiff’s complaint fails to state a claim that gives rise to federal 25 jurisdiction. Plaintiff has only stated that he is attempting to bring a breach of contract claim, 26 which is a state law claim and therefore does not qualify for Section 1331 jurisdiction. Further, 27 all parties appear to be residents of California, precluding diversity jurisdiction under Section 28 1332. For these reasons, plaintiff’s complaint should be dismissed. 1 Further, the court finds leave to amend need not be granted. Even if the court could 2 construe plaintiff’s complaint as giving rise to a federal claim for money damages (e.g. under 42 3 U.S.C. § 1983), the facts raised by plaintiff place this case squarely in the realm of absolute 4 immunity and frivolity. Superior Court Judge Bradley has absolute judicial immunity for his 5 official acts, and the Solano County Superior Court is a state agency for purposes of Eleventh 6 Amendment immunity. Mireles v. Waco, 502 U.S. 9, 9-10 (1991); Greater L.A. Council on 7 Deafness, Inc. v. Zolin, 812 F.2d 1103, 1110 (9th Cir. 1987) (superseded by statute on other 8 grounds). The Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Attorney General of California have 9 immunity for actions taken within the scope of their adjudicatory duties. Imbler v. Pachtman, 424 10 U.S. 409, 421-24 (1976). Courts have found public defenders outside the scope of these federal 11 claims when “performing a lawyer’s traditional function[.]” Polk Cty. v. Dodson, 454 U.S. 312, 12 325 (1981). As for plaintiff’s injunctive and declaratory prayers requesting “all deframtion [sic] 13 in editorials to be omitted from internet websites” and disbarment of “all those involved” has no 14 legal basis, and would be frivolous for plaintiff to reassert. Neitzke, 490 U.S. at 325. Thus, 15 further amendment would be futile. Cahill, 80 F.3d at 339. 16 RECOMMENDATIONS 17 Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that: 18 1. Plaintiff’s claims be DISMISSED, and leave to amend be DENIED; and 19 2. The Clerk of Court be directed to CLOSE this case. 20 These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to 21 the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen (14) days after 22 being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections with 23 the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned “Objections to 24 Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” Any reply to the objections shall be served 25 on all parties and filed with the court within fourteen (14) days after service of the objections. 26 //// 27 //// 28 //// 1 | The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right 2 | to appeal the District Court’s order. Turner v. Duncan, 158 F.3d 449, 455 (9th Cir. 1998). 3 | Dated: February 10, 2021 ‘ Acid) Aharon 5 KENDALL J. NE warf.157 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28