White v. Wortz

66 F. Supp. 2d 331, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13865, 1999 WL 704688
CourtDistrict Court, D. Connecticut
DecidedAugust 31, 1999
Docket3:96CV2067(WWE)
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 66 F. Supp. 2d 331 (White v. Wortz) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Connecticut primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
White v. Wortz, 66 F. Supp. 2d 331, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13865, 1999 WL 704688 (D. Conn. 1999).

Opinion

RULING ON DEFENDANTS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

EGINTON, Senior District Judge.

INTRODUCTION

This is a complaint brought in two counts. The first alleges that the police officers involved filed reports in which they falsely and maliciously accused plaintiff of assaulting, abusing and resisting them while being held a prisoner inside the headquarters of the New Haven Police Department. These allegations resulted in plaintiff being arrested on two counts of interference with a police officer. The second count, brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, alleges that plaintiffs constitutional rights were violated when he was falsely arrested on the two counts of interference with a police officer without a warrant and without probablé cause.

Defendants have moved for summary judgment on both counts.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The Court sets forth only those facts deemed necessary to an understanding of the issues raised in, and decision rendered on, this Motion.

On December 24, 1992, the plaintiff was at the Police Station at 1 Union Avenue in New Haven as a result of having been *333 arrested for Driving While Under the Influence. In his statement of disputed facts, plaintiff asserts that he was so intoxicated that he had passed out in his parked car. Plaintiff does not claim that he was arrested without probable cause for driving while intoxicated.

During his deposition White admitted that he was told by a police officer that it was necessary for plaintiff to take a breathalyzer test. Plaintiff further testified that instead of taking .the test, he knocked the breathalyzer out of the hand of the officer attempting to administer the test.

Subsequently, police officers told plaintiff that it was necessary to handcuff him to bring him to another part of the police station. When the officers attempted to place the handcuffs upon White’s wrist, White struggled in a effort to prevent the officers from placing the handcuffs on him. Plaintiff does not allege a claim of excessive force.

Based on the incident with the breathalyzer and the altercation with regard to the handcuffs, plaintiff was also charged with two counts of interfering with a police officer. Plaintiff claims that these charges were filed without probable cause and without a warrant.

Plaintiff testified at his deposition that he entered into a plea agreement with the State in which he would be given accelerated rehabilitation on the driving while intoxicated claim and that the other two claims would be nolled, or not pursued.

LEGAL ANALYSIS

I. The Standard of Review

In a motion for summary judgment the burden is on the moving party to establish that there are no genuine issues of material fact in dispute and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(c). See also Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, 477 U.S. 242, 256, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986)(plaintiff must present affirmative evidence in order to defeat a properly supported motion for summary judgment).

If the nonmoving party has failed to make a sufficient showing on an essential element of his case with respect to which he has the burden of proof at trial, then summary judgment is appropriate. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). “In such a situation, there can be ‘no genuine issue as to any material fact,’ since a complete failure of proof concerning an essential element of the nonmoving party’s case necessarily renders all other facts immaterial.” Id. at 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548. Accord, Goenaga v. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, 51 F.3d 14, 18 (2d. Cir.1995)(movant’s burden satisfied by showing if it can point to an absence of evidence to support an essential element of nonmoving party’s claim).

The court is mandated to “resolve all ambiguities and draw all inferences in favor of the nonmoving party....” Aldrich v. Randolph Cent. Sch. Dist., 963 F.2d 520, 523 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 965, 113 S.Ct. 440, 121 L.Ed.2d 359 (1992). “Only when reasonable minds could not differ as to the import of the evidence is summary judgment proper.” Bryant v. Maffucci, 923 F.2d 979, 982 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 849, 112 S.Ct. 152, 116 L.Ed.2d 117 (1991). If the nonmoving party submits evidence which is “merely col-orable”, or is not “significantly probative,” summary judgment may be granted. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249-50, 106 S.Ct. 2505.

“[T]he mere existence of some alleged factual dispute between the parties will not defeat an otherwise properly supported motion for summary judgment; the requirement is that there be no genuine issue of material fact. As to materiality, the substantive law will identify which facts are material. Only disputes over facts that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law will properly preclude the entry of summary judgment. Factual disputes that are irrelevant or un *334 necessary will not be counted.” Id. at 247-48, 106 S.Ct. 2505 (emphasis in original).

II. The Standard As Applied

Under Connecticut law, a person is guilty of Interfering with a police officer “when he obstructs, resists, hinders or endangers any peace officer or fireman in the performance of his duties.” Conn.Gen. Stat. § 53a-167a(a). That law prohibits any action — whether verbal or physical— that is intended to meddle in or hamper the activities of the police in the performance of their duties. State v. Williams, 205 Conn. 456, 471, 534 A.2d 230 (1987). The purpose of the law is to enforce orderly behavior in the important mission of preserving the peace. State v. Beckenbach, 1 Conn.App. 669, 679, 476 A.2d 591 (1984), rev’d on other grounds, 198 Conn.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Witt v. Armstrong
D. Connecticut, 2022
Justin F. v. Maloney
476 F. Supp. 2d 141 (D. Connecticut, 2007)
Colon v. Ludemann
283 F. Supp. 2d 747 (D. Connecticut, 2003)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
66 F. Supp. 2d 331, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13865, 1999 WL 704688, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/white-v-wortz-ctd-1999.