Smith v. Garden City

334 F. App'x 820

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Decided: June 4, 2009
• Docket: No. 08-35323
• Status: Published

Opinion

MEMORANDUM

**

Vernon K. Smith appeals the district court’s grant of summary judgment and award of attorneys’ fees to defendant-ap-pellees. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and affirm.

Defendant-appellees’ submissions show that Officer Lythgoe reasonably relied on data from her mobile computer terminal showing that Smith’s registration had expired, and that any prolongation of the stop was due to Smith’s belligerence. The only evidence Smith proffered in support of his claims is an affidavit lodging unfounded accusations and asserting facts outside his personal knowledge. This submission is insufficient to create any genuine issue of material fact. See S.E.C. v. Phan, 500 F.3d 895, 909 (9th Cir.2007). We therefore conclude that Officer Lythgoe had reasonable suspicion to stop Smith’s vehicle and did not unreasonably prolong the stop. See United States v. Miguel, 368 F.3d 1150, 1151-52 (9th Cir.2004). Smith waived all other claims by failing to adequately present them in his briefs on appeal. See United States v. Kimble, 107 F.3d 712, 715 n. 2 (9th Cir.1997).

Because Smith’s claims lacked any foundation in fact or law, the district court properly concluded that Smith, a licensed attorney, was unreasonable for bringing this action seeking $1,000,000 in damages for a 20-minute traffic stop, the duration of which was partially caused by Smith’s belligerence. We thus conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion by awarding defendants $5,063.00 in attorney’s fees. See Barry v. Fowler, 902 F.2d 770, 773 (9th Cir.1990).

AFFIRMED.

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.