UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 1 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 2 * * * 3 Willie Brown, Case No. 2:25-cv-01610-APG-BNW 4 Plaintiff, 5 SCREENING ORDER AND v. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION 6 City of North Las Vegas Police Department, et 7 al.,
8 Defendants.
9 10 Willie Brown brings this civil-rights case under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 based on alleged 11 violations of his Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Plaintiff moves to proceed in forma 12 pauperis. ECF No. 1. He submitted the declaration required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a) showing an 13 inability to prepay fees and costs or give security for them. His request to proceed in forma 14 pauperis will, therefore, be granted. 15 The Court now screens Plaintiff’s complaint (ECF No. 1-1) as required by 28 U.S.C. 16 §§ 1915(e)(2) and 1915A. 17 I. ANALYSIS 18 A. Screening Standard 19 Federal courts must conduct a preliminary screening in any case in which a prisoner seeks 20 redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. See 28 21 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). In its review, the court must identify any cognizable claims and dismiss any 22 claims that are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seek 23 monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1), 24 (2). In addition to the screening requirements under § 1915A, the Prison Litigation Reform Act 25 requires a federal court to dismiss a prisoner’s claim if it “fails to state a claim on which relief 26 may be granted.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2); accord Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 12(b)(6). 27 Dismissal for failure to state a claim under § 1915(e)(2) incorporates the standard for 1 F.3d 1108, 1112 (9th Cir. 2012). To survive § 1915 review, a complaint must “contain sufficient 2 factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” See Ashcroft 3 v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). The court liberally construes pro se complaints and may only 4 dismiss them “if it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of 5 his claim which would entitle him to relief.” Nordstrom v. Ryan, 762 F.3d 903, 908 (9th Cir. 6 2014) (quoting Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678). 7 In considering whether the complaint states a claim, all allegations of material fact are 8 taken as true and construed in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. Wyler Summit P’ship v. 9 Turner Broad. Sys. Inc., 135 F.3d 658, 661 (9th Cir. 1998) (citation omitted). Although the 10 standard under Rule 12(b)(6) does not require detailed factual allegations, a plaintiff must provide 11 more than mere labels and conclusions. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 12 (2007). A formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action is insufficient. Id. But unless it 13 is clear the complaint’s deficiencies could not be cured through amendment, a pro se plaintiff 14 should be given leave to amend the complaint with notice regarding the complaint’s deficiencies. 15 Cato v. United States, 70 F.3d 1103, 1106 (9th Cir. 1995). 16 Section 1983 authorizes suit against any “person who, under color of any statute, 17 ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage . . . subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the 18 United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, 19 privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws . . . .” 42 U.S.C. § 1983. In other 20 words, “to succeed on a § 1983 claim, a plaintiff must show that (1) the conduct complained of 21 was committed by a person acting under color of state law; and (2) the conduct deprived the 22 plaintiff of a federal constitutional or statutory right.” Patel v. Kent Sch. Dist., 648 F.3d 965, 971 23 (9th Cir. 2011). 24 B. Screening the Amended Complaint 25 Plaintiff alleges that he repeatedly called 911 from his residence because he believed 26 someone was attempting to enter his home and he feared for his safety. He states that despite 27 multiple calls requesting police assistance, dispatchers did not respond appropriately and at times 1 defend himself against this person (his cousin) who Plaintiff alleges was trying to murder him. He 2 further alleges that when officers eventually responded, they did not adequately investigate the 3 situation or address the reported threat. As a result, Plaintiff contends that law enforcement failed 4 to protect him despite his repeated requests for help, leaving him in fear and without meaningful 5 assistance. Lastly, he alleges he was incorrectly charged with murder and other criminal charges 6 as a result of this incident. 7 The Due Process Clause provides that “[n]o State shall . . . deprive any person of life, 8 liberty, or property without due process of law.” U.S. Const., amend. XIV, § 1. While this 9 language protects individuals against certain government actions, it does not confer an 10 “affirmative right to governmental aid, even where such aid may be necessary to secure life, 11 liberty, or property interests of which the government itself may not deprive the individual.” 12 DeShaney v. Winnebago Cnty. Dep't Soc. Servs., 489 U.S. 189, 196 (1989). Generally, a state 13 actor is not liable for its omissions. Patel v. Kent Sch. Dist., 648 F.3d 965, 971 (9th Cir. 2011) 14 Accordingly, “the Fourteenth Amendment typically ‘does not impose a duty on [the state] to 15 protect individuals from third parties.’” Id. (quoting Morgan v. Gonzales, 495 F.3d 1084, 1093 16 (9th Cir. 2007)). 17 The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects prisoners from cruel 18 and unusual punishment. To state a claim under the Eighth Amendment, Plaintiff must state facts 19 showing that he is “incarcerated under conditions posing a substantial risk of serious harm,” as a 20 result of Defendants’ actions—which is analyzed under an objective standard. Farmer v. 21 Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 834 (1994) (internal quotation marks omitted). Plaintiff must also allege 22 facts showing that Defendants were deliberately indifferent to his needs—analyzed under a 23 subjective standard. 24 As explained above, these allegations do not give rise to an Eighth Amendment claim as 25 the conduct complained of did not arise as a result of Plaintiff’s incarceration.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 1 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 2 * * * 3 Willie Brown, Case No. 2:25-cv-01610-APG-BNW 4 Plaintiff, 5 SCREENING ORDER AND v. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION 6 City of North Las Vegas Police Department, et 7 al.,
8 Defendants.
9 10 Willie Brown brings this civil-rights case under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 based on alleged 11 violations of his Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Plaintiff moves to proceed in forma 12 pauperis. ECF No. 1. He submitted the declaration required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a) showing an 13 inability to prepay fees and costs or give security for them. His request to proceed in forma 14 pauperis will, therefore, be granted. 15 The Court now screens Plaintiff’s complaint (ECF No. 1-1) as required by 28 U.S.C. 16 §§ 1915(e)(2) and 1915A. 17 I. ANALYSIS 18 A. Screening Standard 19 Federal courts must conduct a preliminary screening in any case in which a prisoner seeks 20 redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. See 28 21 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). In its review, the court must identify any cognizable claims and dismiss any 22 claims that are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seek 23 monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1), 24 (2). In addition to the screening requirements under § 1915A, the Prison Litigation Reform Act 25 requires a federal court to dismiss a prisoner’s claim if it “fails to state a claim on which relief 26 may be granted.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2); accord Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 12(b)(6). 27 Dismissal for failure to state a claim under § 1915(e)(2) incorporates the standard for 1 F.3d 1108, 1112 (9th Cir. 2012). To survive § 1915 review, a complaint must “contain sufficient 2 factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” See Ashcroft 3 v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). The court liberally construes pro se complaints and may only 4 dismiss them “if it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of 5 his claim which would entitle him to relief.” Nordstrom v. Ryan, 762 F.3d 903, 908 (9th Cir. 6 2014) (quoting Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678). 7 In considering whether the complaint states a claim, all allegations of material fact are 8 taken as true and construed in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. Wyler Summit P’ship v. 9 Turner Broad. Sys. Inc., 135 F.3d 658, 661 (9th Cir. 1998) (citation omitted). Although the 10 standard under Rule 12(b)(6) does not require detailed factual allegations, a plaintiff must provide 11 more than mere labels and conclusions. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 12 (2007). A formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action is insufficient. Id. But unless it 13 is clear the complaint’s deficiencies could not be cured through amendment, a pro se plaintiff 14 should be given leave to amend the complaint with notice regarding the complaint’s deficiencies. 15 Cato v. United States, 70 F.3d 1103, 1106 (9th Cir. 1995). 16 Section 1983 authorizes suit against any “person who, under color of any statute, 17 ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage . . . subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the 18 United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, 19 privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws . . . .” 42 U.S.C. § 1983. In other 20 words, “to succeed on a § 1983 claim, a plaintiff must show that (1) the conduct complained of 21 was committed by a person acting under color of state law; and (2) the conduct deprived the 22 plaintiff of a federal constitutional or statutory right.” Patel v. Kent Sch. Dist., 648 F.3d 965, 971 23 (9th Cir. 2011). 24 B. Screening the Amended Complaint 25 Plaintiff alleges that he repeatedly called 911 from his residence because he believed 26 someone was attempting to enter his home and he feared for his safety. He states that despite 27 multiple calls requesting police assistance, dispatchers did not respond appropriately and at times 1 defend himself against this person (his cousin) who Plaintiff alleges was trying to murder him. He 2 further alleges that when officers eventually responded, they did not adequately investigate the 3 situation or address the reported threat. As a result, Plaintiff contends that law enforcement failed 4 to protect him despite his repeated requests for help, leaving him in fear and without meaningful 5 assistance. Lastly, he alleges he was incorrectly charged with murder and other criminal charges 6 as a result of this incident. 7 The Due Process Clause provides that “[n]o State shall . . . deprive any person of life, 8 liberty, or property without due process of law.” U.S. Const., amend. XIV, § 1. While this 9 language protects individuals against certain government actions, it does not confer an 10 “affirmative right to governmental aid, even where such aid may be necessary to secure life, 11 liberty, or property interests of which the government itself may not deprive the individual.” 12 DeShaney v. Winnebago Cnty. Dep't Soc. Servs., 489 U.S. 189, 196 (1989). Generally, a state 13 actor is not liable for its omissions. Patel v. Kent Sch. Dist., 648 F.3d 965, 971 (9th Cir. 2011) 14 Accordingly, “the Fourteenth Amendment typically ‘does not impose a duty on [the state] to 15 protect individuals from third parties.’” Id. (quoting Morgan v. Gonzales, 495 F.3d 1084, 1093 16 (9th Cir. 2007)). 17 The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects prisoners from cruel 18 and unusual punishment. To state a claim under the Eighth Amendment, Plaintiff must state facts 19 showing that he is “incarcerated under conditions posing a substantial risk of serious harm,” as a 20 result of Defendants’ actions—which is analyzed under an objective standard. Farmer v. 21 Brennan, 511 U.S. 825, 834 (1994) (internal quotation marks omitted). Plaintiff must also allege 22 facts showing that Defendants were deliberately indifferent to his needs—analyzed under a 23 subjective standard. 24 As explained above, these allegations do not give rise to an Eighth Amendment claim as 25 the conduct complained of did not arise as a result of Plaintiff’s incarceration. Next, while it is 26 unacceptable that the police did not respond on time, the Fourteenth Amendment does not confer 27 an “affirmative right to governmental aid, even where such aid may be necessary to secure life, 1 liberty, or property interests.” DeShaney, 489 U.S. at 196. As a result, this Court recommends that 2 these claims be dismissed with prejudice. 3 II. CONCLUSION 4 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Plaintiff’s application for leave to proceed in 5 forma pauperis (ECF No. 1) is GRANTED. Plaintiff is permitted to maintain this action to 6 conclusion without prepaying fees or costs or giving security for them. 7 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of Court must detach and file Plaintiff’s 8 complaint (ECF No. 1-1). 9 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, as amended by the 10 Prisoner Litigation Reform Act, the Clark County Detention Center shall pay to the Clerk of the 11 United States District Court, District of Nevada, 20% of the preceding month’s deposits from the 12 account of Willie Brown (in months that the account exceeds $10.00) until the full filing fee has 13 been paid for this action. The Clerk shall send a copy of this order to the attention of the Warden 14 to 330 S. Casino Center Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89101. 15 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, even if this action is dismissed, or is otherwise 16 unsuccessful, the full filing fee shall still be due, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, as amended by the 17 Prisoner Litigation Reform Act. 18 / / 19 / / 20 / / 21 / / 22 / / 23 / / 24 / / 25 / / 26 / / 27 / / ] IT IS RECOMMENDED that Plaintiff's complaint be dismissed with prejudice. 2 3 NOTICE 4 This report and recommendation is submitted to the United States district judge assigned 5 || to this case under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). A party who objects to this report and recommendation 6 || may file a written objection supported by points and authorities within fourteen days of being 7 || served with this report and recommendation. Local Rule IB 3-2(a). Failure to file a timely 8 || objection may waive the right to appeal the district court’s order. Martinez v. Yist, 951 F.2d 1153, 9 || 1157 (th Cir. 1991). 10 1] DATED: March 16, 2026
13 BR A ae 4 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28