Green v. Byrd
Green v. Byrd
Opinion of the Court
Deandre Green claims under
I. Summary Judgment Standard
A court should grant summary judgment if the evidence demonstrates that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). The moving party bears the initial burden of demonstrating the absence of a genuine dispute for trial. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett ,
II. History of the Case
Charles Byrd, a Helena-West Helena police officer, arrested Green on Friday, June 28, 2013, shortly before 8:00 p.m. On the next day, a City officer swore an affidavit of probable cause and obtained an arrest warrant. Green was transported to the Ashley County jail. He did not receive a first appearance before Monday, July 1. The parties dispute whether he received a first appearance on Monday at all, but the City says that Judge Reid Harrod, an Ashley County District Court judge, presided *786over Green's first appearance on Monday. After several months, the charges were dismissed and Green was released.
Green sued Charles Byrd in his individual capacity and official capacity.
The City conceded for years that Green did not have a first appearance hearing. That concession was made not only in this case but also in a previous class action in which Green opted out of a class comprised in relevant part by "[a]ll those arrested in Phillips County, Arkansas between 9 October 2012 and 10 November 2016 who did not receive a Rule 8 appearance within seventy-two hours of arrest[.]" See Document # 16 at 1; Thomas v. Byrd , 2:15-cv-00095-DPM, Document # 54 (E.D. Ark. Nov. 10, 2016). In preparing for trial in this case, however, the City's lawyers uncovered, for the first time, in the Ashley County records, a "Record of First Judicial Appearance" for Green. See Documents # 60 and # 61. This document records that Green received a first appearance before Ashley County District Court Judge Reid Harrod on July 1, 2013. See Document # 61-3. Both Judge Harrod's and Green's signatures appear on the document.
III. Cross Motions for Summary Judgment
The City contends, among other things, that the record shows that Green received a first appearance on Monday, July 1, 2013, within three days of his Friday evening arrest. Document # 85 at ¶¶ 18-13. The City argues that, as a matter of law, the delay from Friday evening to Monday did not violate Green's rights. Green asserts that he did not receive a first appearance that Monday. He also contends that, even if he did have a first appearance, Judge Harrod had no jurisdiction to conduct *787it because Judge Harrod is an Ashley County District Court judge whereas Green was arrested and charged in Phillips County. Green argues, therefore, that the first appearance was void. Finally, Green maintains that the City should be estopped from now contending that he received a first appearance when it has previously conceded that he did not have one.
A. Whether Green's Affidavit Creates a Genuine Dispute of Fact as to Whether He Received a First Appearance
For purposes of his own motion for summary judgment, Green concedes he saw Judge Harrod in Ashley County. In response to the City's motion, however, he contends that even if jurisdiction existed, "there is still a genuine issue of material fact because the Plaintiff swears he did not see Judge Harrod," and he provides an affidavit to that effect. Documents # 98 at 1-2 and # 98-2.
As noted above, City police officers arrested Green on Friday, June 28, 2013, shortly before 8:00 p.m. Document # 85-1. On the following day a City officer swore an affidavit of probable cause, which a judge signed. Document # 85-2. Warrants for Green's arrest were issued. Document # 85-3. On that same day-Saturday, June 29th-Green was transported to the Ashley County jail. Document # 85-5. All of these facts are undisputed. See Document # 99 at 3.
The City further says, and provides evidence, that on Monday, July 1, the City asked Judge Harrod to perform a first appearance for Green. Document # 85-6. It made the request via a fax, date-stamped July 1, 2013, sent from the Helena-West Helena Police Department to Judge Harrod.
Green's contrary proof consists of his affidavit in which he swears that he "did not receive a first appearance before a judge." Document # 98-2. He does state, however, that he "recall[s] being presented with paperwork at the jail to sign." Id. He does not explain what paperwork he signed, nor does he state that he was confused about what he was signing.
The first issue is whether Green's affidavit creates a genuine dispute as to whether he received a first appearance before Judge Harrod on July 1.
"The presumption of regularity supports the official acts of public officers, and, in the absence of clear evidence to the contrary, courts presume that they have properly discharged their official duties."
*788Cooper v. United States ,
Here, as noted above, the City has provided documentary evidence that it asked Judge Harrod to conduct Green's first appearance on July 1, 2013; that it sent Green's arrest information to Judge Harrod; and that it transported Green to court. Most important, the July 1 "Record of First Judicial Appearance" for Green shows that he appeared before Judge Harrod on that day. Judge Harrod has sworn that his signature appears on the form. Green's signature appears on it as well. Although Green has not expressly admitted that he signed the form, he has not denied that he signed it. Nor does he say or provide any evidence that he was confused about what he was signing. The Court therefore takes as undisputed that Green signed the form. Thus, not only does Green's recent affidavit contradict a court record entitled to a presumption of regularity, it also contradicts Green's own prior affirmation of that court record. See Bonvillain v. Blackburn ,
It is true that an affidavit generally suffices to create an issue of material fact. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1)(A). But not always. For example, if a person responding to a motion for summary judgment submits an affidavit that contradicts his earlier deposition testimony, unless the deposition testimony reflects confusion, the affidavit does not create a genuine dispute of material fact. See Camfield Tires, Inc. v. Michelin Tire Corp. ,
Under the circumstance here, where a court record that not only is presumed to be correct, but also is signed by the defendant, shows that the first appearance took place, that defendant cannot create a genuine dispute of material fact merely by signing an affidavit contradicting his own signature. In the face of the objective evidence that the City has provided, and against the backdrop of the presumption of regularity accorded the court records, Green's affidavit does not create a genuine issue of fact.
B. Judge Harrod's Jurisdiction to Conduct First Appearance
Green vehemently argues that, even if he had a first appearance, Judge Harrod lacked jurisdiction to conduct it. He says that a district judge in Arkansas has no jurisdiction to conduct a first appearance for a defendant who was arrested in a separate county or separate judicial district.
Historically, that argument might have prevailed because Arkansas statutes directed
(a) The jurisdiction of the various courts of this state for the trial of offenses shall be as follows:
(1) The Senate shall have exclusive jurisdiction of impeachment;
(2) The Supreme Court shall have general supervision and control over all inferior courts in criminal cases;
(3) The circuit court shall have original jurisdiction, exclusive of the district court, for the trial of offenses defined as felonies by state law and shall have original jurisdiction concurrent with the district court for the trial of offenses defined as misdemeanors by state law; and
(4) The district court shall have original jurisdiction, exclusive of the circuit court, for the trial of violations of ordinances of any town, city, or county within the territorial jurisdiction of the district court and shall have original jurisdiction concurrent with the circuit court for the trial of offenses defined as *790misdemeanors and violations by state law and committed within the territorial jurisdiction of the district court.
(b) Where an indictment is found in the circuit court for an offense within its jurisdiction, the circuit court shall have jurisdiction of all the degrees of the offense and of all the offenses included in the one (1) charge, although some of those degrees or included offenses are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the district court.
(c) A district court may issue arrest warrants and search warrants and may perform other pretrial functions, as authorized by the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure, in the prosecution of a person for an offense within the exclusive jurisdiction of the circuit court.
(Emphases added.) Subsections (a) and (b) use the definite article "the" when designating the court that has jurisdiction over trials. In subsections (a)(3) and (a)(4), the use of the definite article limits trial jurisdiction to a specific court: "the circuit court" and "the district court." Subsection (c), in contrast, says that "a district court" can issue warrants and perform other pretrial functions for a person whose prosecution is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the circuit court, a reference back to subsection (a)(3). In this context, subsection (c)'s use of the indefinite article, in contrast to the other subsections, means that any district court may perform pretrial functions as authorized by the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure.
The relevant rule in the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure provides that "[a]n arrested person who is not released by citation or by other lawful manner shall be taken before a judicial officer without unnecessary delay." Ark. R. Crim. P. 8.1. At that first appearance, "the judicial officer shall first determine by an informal, non-adversary hearing whether there is probable cause for detaining the arrested person pending further proceedings." Ark. R. Crim. P. 8.3(c). A "judicial officer" is "a person in whom is vested authority to preside over the trial of criminal cases." Ark. R. Crim. P. 1.6(c). The Arkansas Supreme Court has not decided whether "a judicial officer" in Rule 8.1 means only a judicial officer within the county or district with jurisdiction for trial, but that court has construed similar language to mean that any judicial officer may issue search warrants without regard to that officer's territorial jurisdiction for trials.
In Brenk v. State , the appellant contended that a search was invalid because a Marion County judge could not issue a warrant for a search in Baxter County.
Likewise, in Wagner v. State , the issue was whether a judge in the Osceola District of Mississippi County could issue a search warrant for a residence in the Chickasawba District of Mississippi County.
Finally, under circumstances similar to the ones here, a Crittenden County deputy sheriff arrested Logan in St. Francis County and took him back to Crittenden County where the crime had allegedly occurred. Logan v. State ,
As the Wagner court recognized, the Arkansas General Assembly has concluded that district courts "may [perform other pretrial functions], as authorized by the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure." Ark. Code. Ann. § 16-88-101(c). Rules 8.1 and 1.6 of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure require an arrestee to be brought before a judicial officer, defined as a person who has been vested with authority to preside over the trial of criminal cases. The General Assembly has vested district courts with the authority to preside over the trial of criminal cases. See
Based on the plain language of Rules 8.1 and 1.6, the plain language of § 16-88-101, the Arkansas cases interpreting parallel provisions governing the issuance of search warrants, and the repeal of §§ 16-88-201 through 203, an Arkansas district court judge is "a judicial officer" who may conduct the arrestee's first appearance even if the arrestee was arrested and charged in a different county. That Green's first appearance was conducted in Ashley County rather than Phillips County did not invalidate that first appearance.
C. Estoppel
In his final argument, Green argues that the City should be estopped from changing its earlier position that he did not receive a first appearance. See Document # 98 at 6-8. Judicial estoppel is an equitable remedy that prevents a party from changing positions in a legal proceeding simply because his interests have changed. New Hampshire v. Maine ,
Here, the City did not change positions because its interests had changed; rather, it discovered new evidence-evidence that had been in the control of Ashley County, not the City. Documents # 60 and # 61. It was no advantage to the City to wait until this late stage to reveal these records. The City has not intentionally contradicted itself, deliberately changed positions according to the needs of the moment, or played "fast and loose with the courts" - all ways the Supreme Court has described the actions of a party against whom judicial estoppel may apply. See New Hampshire ,
Green also invokes the doctrine of equitable estoppel, citing King v. Powell ,
IV. No Constitutional Violation
Having concluded that there is not a genuine issue of material fact-Green received a first appearance which was valid under Arkansas law-the Court must determine whether the delay between his arrest and his first appearance violated Green's constitutional rights.
One critical issue, which the parties have not directly addressed, remains. The City says Green was arrested pursuant to a warrant. Document # 84 at 4. The City therefore cites to cases applying the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause to detentions following an arrest by warrant. Hayes v. Faulkner Cnty., Ark. ,
Green, on the other hand, does not argue his pre-first appearance detention was unconstitutionally long. Instead, he hangs his hat on his contention that Judge Harrod did not have jurisdiction and so he did not receive a first appearance at all. In the context of his jurisdictional argument, though, Green cites to cases discussing the Fourth Amendment right to a prompt judicial determination of probable cause following an arrest without a warrant. See, e.g. , Document # 95 at 3.
As noted above, the undisputed facts show that Green was first arrested on Friday, June 28. Document # 85-1. On the next day-Saturday, June 29-a City officer swore a probable cause affidavit, and obtained an arrest warrant. Documents # 85-2 and # 85-3. Nothing in the record shows why an arrest warrant was issued the day after Green was arrested. In any event, Green was arrested without a warrant but a warrant was issued the day after his arrest.
The Supreme Court held in Gerstein v. Pugh that "the Fourth Amendment requires a judicial determination of probable cause as a prerequisite to extended restraint on liberty following arrest."
In McLaughlin , the Supreme Court defined "promptly" in this context. McLaughlin , 500 U.S. at 55, 111 S.Ct. at 1669. "[J]udicial determinations of probable cause within 48 hours of arrest will, as a general matter," comply with Gerstein , although a defendant can rebut this presumption by proving that the determination was "delayed unreasonably." Id. at 56, 111 S.Ct. at 1670. Conversely, if a probable cause determination occurs after forty-eight hours, "the burden shifts to the government to demonstrate the existence of a bona fide emergency or other extraordinary circumstance." Id. at 57, 111 S.Ct. at 1670. The Court pronounced that intervening weekends do not qualify as an extraordinary circumstance. Id.
Since Green was arrested on the evening of Friday, June 28, and did not come before a judicial officer until Monday, July 1, more than forty-eight hours passed between his arrest and that in-person hearing. On Saturday, June 29, however, a judge did determine that probable cause supported Green's arrest.
*794The Gerstein Court did not hold that the arrestee must be taken in person before the judicial officer. In supporting its conclusion that a probable cause determination must occur after a warrantless arrest, however, the Court explained that "[a]t common law it was customary, if not obligatory, for an arrested person to be brought before a justice of the peace shortly after arrest." Gerstein ,
The Fourth Amendment does not require a suspect to be present for the probable cause determination when that determination is made in the context of an application for a warrant. At the time of arrest by warrant a judicial officer has necessarily already found probable cause outside of the arrestee's presence. The probable cause determination relies on the same standard whether it occurs before or after the arrest. Gerstein ,
Four circuits have held that a post-warrantless-arrest probable cause determination outside of the arrestee's presence complied with the Fourth Amendment.
The Seventh Circuit so held in Blake v. Katter ,
The Fourth Circuit has also held that there is no Fourth Amendment right to a face-to-face appearance before a judge in a post-arrest probable cause determination. King v. Jones ,
The Ninth Circuit held likewise in Jones v. City of Santa Monica ,
Finally, the Tenth Circuit affirmed dismissal where a plaintiff claimed that a judge made a probable cause determination after the plaintiff was taken into custody, but before he appeared before the judge. Strepka v. Miller ,
These cases are persuasive. Guided by Gerstein and the Seventh, Fourth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits, the Court concludes that the Fourth Amendment does not require a probable cause determination following a warrantless arrest to be in the arrestee's presence.
Turning to the facts here, Green was arrested without a warrant on Friday, June 28, 2013, in the evening. On the next day, a judge found probable cause and issued an arrest warrant. See Document # 99 at 3. This probable cause determination was made within forty-eight hours of Green's arrest. It was not delayed unreasonably. That Green was not present for this probable cause determination did not violate his constitutional rights.
CONCLUSION
Green's motion for summary judgment is DENIED. Document # 94. The City's *796motion for summary judgment is GRANTED. Document # 83.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 18th day of December, 2018.
APPENDIX
ARKANSAS CODE OF 1987 ANNOTATED
VOLUME 15
TITLE 16: PRACTICE, PROCEDURE, AND COURTS (CHAPTERS 55-89)
Prepared by the Editorial Staff of the Publisher Under the Direction and Supervision of the ARKANSAS CODE REVISION COMMISSION William S. Arnold, Chairman Douglas O. Smith, Jr. William H. Sutton J. W. (Jake) Looney, Dean, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, School of Law Lawrence H. Averill, Jr., Dean, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, School of Law Steve Clark, Attorney General Ex Officio Senator Mike Beebe Representative J. L. (Jim) Shaver, Jr. THE MICHIE COMPANY Law Publishers Charlottesville, Virginia 1987
*797RESEARCH REFERENCES
ALR. Intoxication as ground for police postponing arrestee's appearance before magistrate.
Am. Jur. 21 Am. Jur. 2d. Crim. L., § 411 et seq.
Ark. L. Notes. Malone, The Availability of a First Appearance and Preliminary Hearing,
C.J.S. 22 C.J.S., Crim. L., § 331 et seq.
16-85-201. Proceeding when no warrant issued.
(a) Where ah arrest is made without a warrant, whether by a peace officer or private person, the defendant shall be forthwith taken before the most convenient magistrate of the county in which the arrest is made, and the grounds on which the arrest was made shall be stated to the magistrate.
(b)(1) If the offense for which the arrest was made is charged to have been committed in a different county from that in which the arrest was made, and the magistrate believes, from the statements made to him on oath, that there are sufficient grounds for an examination, he shall, by his written order, commit the defendant to a peace officer, to be conveyed by him before a magistrate of the county in which the offense is charged to have been committed.
(2) If the offense is a misdemeanor only, the defendant may give bail before the magistrate for appearing before a court having jurisdiction to try the offense, on a day to be fixed by the magistrate.
(3) the magistrate taking bail, as provided in subsection (b) of this section, shall transmit by mail the bail bond, to the officer before whom, or the clerk of the court in which, the defendant is bound to appear.
(c)(1) Where the arrest is made in the county in which the offense is charged to have been committed, the magistrate before whom the defendant is taken, shall forthwith proceed to an examination of the charge.
(2) If the offense charged is a felony, the magistrate shall commit, hold to bail, or discharge the defendant, or, if he has jurisdiction to hear and finally try the charge, the magistrate shall proceed to final determination and judgment therein.
History . Crim. Code, §§ 43-45; C. & M. Dig., §§ 2913-2915; Pope's Dig., §§ 3729-3731 A.S.A. 1947, §§ 43-601 - 43-603.
Cross References. Nature of first appearance, ARCrP 8.3.
Prompt first appearance, ARCrP 8.1.
CASE NOTES
ANALYSIS Immediate appearance before magistrate Preservation of testimony. Construction. Waiver. Absence of counsel. Authority of magistrate. Confession. Construction. The procedure for a preliminary exami-
*798which a transcript can be admitted at trial under URE 804, and there can be no preservation of the testimony for trial under § 16-85-210 where there is no indication that the state gave notice of its intention to do so in order to comply with that section. Scott V. State,
Waiver,
Where defendant was placed on trial on a plea of not guilty without objection he waived his right to object to the fact that he was not arraigned. Clubb v. State,
Trial court did hot commit reversible error in refusing to instruct the jury that one arrested without a warrant must be forthwith taken before a magistrate for the fixing of bail or discharge, where defendant had been admitted to bail and where defendant went to trial on a plea of not guilty without raising any question about pretrial procedures. Dillard v. State,
Cited: Young v. State,
16-85-202. Authority of magistrate.
A magistrate of the county in which a public offense has been committed is authorized to examine the charge and commit to jail or hold to bail the person charged with its commission.
History. Crim. Code, § 46; C. & M. Dig., § 2917; Pope's Dig., § 3733; A.S.A. 1947, § 43-604.
CASE NOTES
Commitment by Coroner.
One committed for murder by a coroner has no right to demand an examination by a magistrate. Ex parte Anderson,
16-85-203. Procedure generally.
(a) When a person who has been arrested shall be brought, or in pursuance of a bail bond shall come, before a magistrate of the county in which the offense is charged to have been committed, the charge shall be forthwith examined. Reasonable time, however, must be allowed for procuring counsel and the attendance of witnesses.
(b) The magistrate, before commencing the examination, shall state the charge and inquire of the defendant whether he desires the aid of counsel and shall allow a reasonable opportunity for procuring it.
History. Crim. Code, § 47; C. & M. Dig., §,2918; Pope's Dig., § 3734; A.S.A. 1947, § 43-605.
Cross References. Appointment of counsel, ARCrP 8.2.
*799SECTION 502. Arkansas Code Title 16, Chapter 85, Subchapter 2 is repealed.
16 86 201. Proceeding when no warrant issued.
(a) Where an arrest is made without a warrant, whether by a peace officer or private person, the defendant shall be forthwith taken before the moot convenient magistrate of the county in which the arrest is made, and the grounds on which the arrest was made shall be stated to the magistrate.
(b)(1) If the offense for which tho arrest was made is charged to have been committed in a different county from that in which the arrest was made, and the magistrate believes, from the statements made to him on oath, that there are sufficient grounds for an examination, he shall, by his written order, commit the defendant to a peace officer, to be conveyed by him before a magistrate of the county in which the offense is charged to have been committed.
(2) If the offense is a misdemeanor only, the defendant may give bail before the magistrate for appearing before a court having jurisdiction to try the offense, on a day to be fixed by the magistrate.
(3) The magistrate taking bail, as provided in subsection (b) of this section, shall transmit by mail the bail bond, to the officer before whom, or the clerk of the court In which, the defendant is bound to appear.
(c)(1) Where the arrest is made in the county in which the offense is charged to have been committed, the magistrate before whom the defendant to taken, shall forthwith proceed to an examination of the charge.
(2) If the offense charged is a felony, the magistrate shall commit, hold to ball, or discharge the defendant, or, if he has jurisdiction to hear and finally try the charge, the magistrate shall proceed to final determination and judgment therein.
16-85-202. Authority of magistrate.
A magistrate of the county in which a public offense has been committed is authorized to examine the charge and commit to jail or hold to bail the person charged with its commission.
16-85-203. Procedure generally.
(a) When a person who has been arrested shall be brought, or in pursuance of a bail bond shall come, before a magistrate of the county in which the offense is charged to have been committed, the charge shall be forthwith examined. Reasonable time, however, must be allowed for procuring counsel and the attendance of witnesses.
(b) The magistrate, before commencing the examination, shall state the charge and inquire of the defendant whether he desires the aid of counsel and shall allow a reasonable opportunity for procuring it.
A claim against a city official in his official capacity is equivalent to a claim against the city itself. See, e.g., Rogers v. City of Little Rock, Ark. ,
The Court previously dismissed most of the claims at Green's request. See Documents # 33 and # 37.
Green's Amended Complaint claims he was deprived of his rights under Article II, Section 22 of the Arkansas Constitution, as permitted by the Arkansas Civil Rights Act. See Document # 16 at 1. Article II, Section 22 of the Arkansas Constitution relates to takings without just compensation. Green also mentions that his arrest was without probable cause in violation of the Arkansas Constitution. Id. at 2. As noted above, Green has waived any probable-cause claim. Liberally construing Green's complaint, to the extent he claims under the Arkansas Civil Rights Act that his state constitutional rights were violated, those claims rise or fall with his § 1983 claim. See
Numerous Arkansas Supreme Court cases hold that this statute was directory and not mandatory. Orr v. State ,
A copy of the now-repealed statutes-Ark. Code. Ann. §§ 16-85-201 to 203-is appended to this Opinion for the convenience of the reader, along with the relevant portion of the Act that repealed them.
Another statute provides for the territorial jurisdiction of the courts. In relevant part, that statute states that "[t]he local jurisdiction of district courts shall be of offenses committed within the limits of the jurisdiction of the courts, as prescribed by the statutes creating or regulating them."
Although the record in Gerstein did not show whether the arrests occurred with or without a warrant, later Supreme Court cases have indicated Gerstein 's holding applies to warrantless arrests. E.g., Cnty. of Riverside v. McLaughlin ,
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Deandre GREEN v. Charles BYRD, Individually and in His Official Capacity as a Police Officer of the City of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas
- Cited By
- 4 cases
- Status
- Published