Hoyland v. McMenomy
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Hoyland v. McMenomy
Opinion of the Court
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff Brian Hoyland’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (“Pl,’s Mot.”) [Doc. No. 22] and Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (“Defs.’ Mot.”) [Doc. No. 16]. A hearing on these Motions was held on December 11, 2015 at which time the Court made certain rulings and took the remaining portions of the Motions under advisement.
I. INTRODUCTION
This suit stems from the arrest of Plaintiff Brian Hoyland (“Hoyland”) by Rose-mount police officers Shawn McMenomy (“McMenomy”), Henry Cho (“Cho”), Alex Eckstein (“Eckstein”), and Ryan Coughlin (“Coughlin”) (collectively, “the Officers”) on May 8, 2013. Some of this incident was captured on video. Although many material facts are undisputed, some material facts remain in dispute. Moreover, the parties’ perceptions of the events are quite different. A jury must resolve these disputes, precluding summary judgment on most of Hoyland’s claims.
II. BACKGROUND
A. The Traffic Incident
In the early morning hours of May 8, 2013, Rosemount police received a report of exhibition driving (i.e., drag racing). (Aff. of Frederick J. Goetz (“Goetz Aff.”) [Doc. No. 25], Ex. 4 (“McMenomy Depo.”) at 39 [Doc. No. 25-4].
After following the Corvette for a short distance, McMenomy observed its tires “partially” cross the center dividing line. (McMenomy Depo. at 48.) McMenomy activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, but the vehicle did not immediately stop and instead turned left into a residential neighborhood. (Id. at 48-49; see Goetz Aff., Ex. 1 (“Dashboard Videos”), McMenomy at 1:43:27-33
B. The Arrest
Shortly after coming to a stop, Illetsch-ko attempted to exit the vehicle. (McMeno-my Depo. at 51.) McMenomy parked his squad car- partially in the driveway, drew his service weapon; pointed it at Illetschko, and ordered Illetschko to remain in the vehicle, and Illetschko complied. (McMenomy Depo. at 50-51; see Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:44:13-1:45:32.) At this same time, Officer Eckstein arrived on the scene and drew his service weapon, pointing it at the vehicle. (See Eckstein Depo. at 32.)
McMenomy gave Illetschko a series of commands (e.g., to put his hands up, to exit the vehicle, to walk backwards towards the squad cars, etc.) all of which Illetschko obeyed. (See McMenomy Depo. at 52; Eckstein Depo. at 33; Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:44:13-1:45:32.) At no time did Illetschko. resist, attempt to flee, or disobey the Officers’ commands. (See McMenomy Depo. at 52; Eckstein Depo. at 33.) At about this same time, Officer Coughlin and then Sergeant Cho arrived on the scene. (Goetz Aff., Ex. 5 (“Cho Depo”) at 51-52 [Doc. No. 25-5], Ex. 7 (“Coughlin Depo.”) at 47 [Doc. No. 25-7]; see Dashboard Videos, Coughlin at 00:46:27-00:47:00.) Officer Coughlin took Illetschko into custody, searched him, handcuffed, him, and placed him in the back of a squad car, all without incident.
Christina Hoyland (“Christina”), Plaintiff Hoyland’s wife, was a passenger in the Corvette. (Goetz Aff., Ex. 8 (“C. Hoyland Depo.”) at 6, 11-16.) The Officers ordered Christina to keep her hands in the air and exit the vehicle. (See McMenomy Depo. at 56; Eckstein Depo. at 34; Coughlin Depo. at 53; Cho Depo. at 54-55; Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:47:15-26, Coughlin at 00:46:27-00:47:25.) The parties dispute how compliant Christina was with the Officers’ commands. (See McMenomy Depo. at 56-57 (describing Christina as initially non-compliant and yelling profanities, but stating that she eventually put her hands in the air and became compliant); Eckstein Depo. at 34-35 (describing Christina as using profanities, but being compliant for the most part); Coughlin Depo. at 53-54, 67-68; Cho Depo. at 54-55; C. Hoyland Depo. at 15-16,18-19 (describing herself as compliant with the Officers’ commands to keep her hands up, but admitting to directing profanity at them).) The video evidence shows that Christina by-and-large followed the Officers’ commands, but did direct verbal criticism — including profanity — at them in the process. (See Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:47:15-1:48:00, Coughlin at 00:46:27-00:48:09.) Christina was trying, at least in part, to communicate that she was physically disabled
Hoyland was awoken by the commotion and after observing police officers outside the front of his house, he moved his children into his bedroom at the back of the house. (B. Hoyland Depo. at 49-51.) Hoy-land then retrieved his cellphone with the intent of filming the incident for “protection” because he feared for his family’s safety. (See id. at 52-53.) He initially planned to record the incident from inside, but grew concerned for his wife’s safety when he believed he heard the Officers use the word “shoot” or “shooting.” (See id. at 54-55.) Hoyland claims he went outside to inform the Officers that his wife had a physical disability that prevented her from complying with their commands. (Id. at 56-57.)
Hoyland turned on his porch light and opened the front door holding his cellphone, which was recording, in front of him. (See B. Hoyland Depo. at 56; McMen-omy Depo. at 65-67; Eckstein Depo. at 36-37; Goetz Aff., Ex. 2 (“Cellphone Video”) at 00:00-12
McMenomy shouted to Hoyland to go back inside the house. (McMenomy Depo. at 70; see Cellphone Video at 00:12-19.) He claims that initially this instruction was a suggestion and not an order. (McMenomy Depo. at 90.) Hoyland remained in the doorway and shouted statements like, “You are on my lawn!” and “What is this, a DWI stop, and you guys are doing this? Are you kidding me?” (Cellphone Video at 00:20-28.) Out of concern for his wife, he also shouted to the: Officers that his wife was handicapped and demanded that they do their jobs “the right way.” (Id. at 00:28-34.)
Because Hoyland did not go back inside his home, McMenomy ordered Hoyland to “stay inside.”
Hoyland initially protested that he was not under arrest, repeatedly told the Officers that his wife was handicapped, and attempted to show the Officers he was unarmed. (See id. at 00:34-56.) During this time, Christina can be heard shouting that she is handicapped. (See id. at 00:38-56.) Hoyland was instructed to raise his hands and lay down on the ground, and he was taken into custody by McMenomy and Cho without incident. (See McMenomy Depo. at 70-71; Cho Depo. at 77; Cellphone Video at 00:40-1:10; Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:47:46-1:49:45.) Shortly thereafter, Christina, who was standing next to the vehicle the entire time, was taken into custody by Eckstein and Coughlin without incident. (See Cho. Depo. at 77; Eckstein Depo. at 46; Dashboard Videos, McMeno-my at 1:49:45-59.)
The entire incident, from the moment when Hoyland emerged from his home to the moment he and Christina were under arrest in the Officers’ physical custody, lasted approximately two minutes and twenty seconds. (See Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:47:26-1:49:49.) Hoyland never left the area of his front door, never told Christina to resist or otherwise disobey the Officers’ commands, and never resisted, fled from, or otherwise attempted to physically intervene with the Officers himself. (See McMenomy Depo. at 71, 87; Cho Depo. at 66-68; Eckstein Depo. at 45-46; Coughlin Depo. at 62-63, 66-67; Cellphone Video; Dashboard Videos, McMeno-my at 1:47:26-1:49:45, Coughlin at 00:47:25-
C. The Charge Against Hoyland and Its Subsequent Dismissal
Shortly after being taken into custody, Hoyland was placed in the back of McMen-omy’s squad car and one of the Officers spoke to him.
Hoyland was subsequently placed in the back of Eckstein’s squad car and Eckstein issued him a citation for obstruction of legal process. (Eckstein Depo. at 47-48; Dashboard Videos, Eckstein at 2:23:23-2:34:40.) Eckstein issued the citation on the instruction of Cho and Coughlin, not because he personally witnessed anything he believed constituted obstruction.
Eckstein informed Hoyland that he was being charged with obstruction for failing to obey the Officers’ commands and distracting them from their duties. (See Dashboard Videos, Eckstein at 2:33:10-2:34:40.) Hoyland told Eckstein that he had been a police officer and would have done the same thing.
Eckstein explained to Hoyland that from the Officers’ standpoint, Hoyland had emerged from the house holding an unidentified object in his hand, disobeyed their orders to go back inside, and in the
Hoyland subsequently challenged the obstruction charge against him in Dakota County District Court, arguing that the Officers lacked probable cause to arrest him. (See Goetz Aff., Ex. 11 (“Dakota County Court Order”) at 10
[Hoyland’s] actions did not constitute the crime of Obstruction of Legal Process. It is clear from the video recording obtained from [Hoyland’s] .cell phone that [Hoylund] exited his residence with the sole intent to inform officers his wife was disabled and unable to comply with their commands, and to record the incident for possitóle future use as evidence if the officers engaged in any improper conduct. The recording also shows that within seconds of [Hoyland’s] exiting the residence, the officers were aware the object he held was a camera. The entire encounter with [Hoyland] lasted approximately one minute, during which time [Hoyland] consistently attempted to communicate his wife was disabled. [Hoyland’s] conduct amounted to nothing more than a fleeting interruption of the officers’ performance of their duties without any intent to cause such an interruption. Accordingly, there is not probable cause to sustain the charge and the charge is dismissed.
(Id. at 10.)
D. Procedural Background
Based on the facts above, Hoyland brought claims against McMenomy, Cho, and Eckstein pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for unreasonable seizure, (Compl., Count I at ¶¶ 36-38 [Doc. No. 1]), and violation of his First Amendment rights, (id.. Count II at ¶¶ 39-43), as well as a state law claim for malicious prosecution, (id., Count V at ¶¶ 48-51). Hoyland also brought a § 1983 claim against Coughlin for an unreasonable search.
Hoyland seeks partial summary judgment as to liability on his unreasonable seizure claim (Count I). (See Pl.’s Mot.) He provided a memorandum of law and reply in support of this Motion. (PL’s Mem. in Supp. [Doc. No. 24]; PL’s Reply [Doc. No. 40].) Defendants oppose Hoyland’s Motion. (Defs.’ Mem. in Opp. [Doc. No. 32].)
Defendants also seek summary judgment dismissing all of Hoyland’s claims. (Defs.’ Mot.) They filed a memorandum of law and reply in support of that Motion. (Defs.’ Summary Judgment Mem. of Law
III. DISCUSSION
A. Standard of Review
Summary judgment is proper if, drawing all reasonable inferences in favor of the non-moving party, there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986); Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249-50, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). “Summary judgment procedure is properly regarded not as a disfavored procedural shortcut, but rather as an integral part of the Federal Rules as a whole, which are designed ‘to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action.’ ” Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 327, 106 S.Ct. 2548 (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 1).
The party moving for summary judgment bears the burden of showing that the material facts in the case are undisputed. Id. at 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548. Summary judgment is properly entered “against a party who fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party’s case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial.” Id. at 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, However, “a party opposing a properly supported motion for summary judgment may not rest upon mere allegation or denials of his pleading, but must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 256, 106 S.Ct. 2505. “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 unnecessary will not be counted.” |d. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505.
B. Hoyland’s Section 1983 Unreasonable Seizure Claim
Hoyland seeks summary judgment on liability for his § 1983 unreasonable seizure claim against McMenomy, Eckstein, and Cho. (See Pl.’s Mot.) In support, he argues that the Officers are not entitled to qualified immunity because his Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable seizure was well-established at the time of his arrest and the Officers lacked arguable probable cause to arrest him for obstruction. (See Pl.’s Mem. in Supp. at 24-33.) More specifically, Hoyland contends that none of his conduct interfered with the Officers’ performance of their duties— a requirement for an arrest for obstruction. (See id. at 29-33.)
Conversely, the Officers seek summary judgment dismissing Hoyland’s § 1983 unreasonable seizure claim. (See Defs.' Mot.) The Officers claim they are entitled to qualified immunity against Hoyland’s claim because the Officers had arguable probable cause to arrest Hoyland for obstruction. (See Defs.’ Mem. in Supp. at 10-14.) They argue that Hoyland’s actions did not merely interrupt them, but rather “substantially frustrated the performance of [their] duties ..,. ” (See Defs.’ Mem. in Opp. at 12-14.) Even if they lacked arguable probable cause, Defendants contend that Hoyland’s right to “insert himself within 30 feet of a high risk stop,” and “converse with officers while conducting a traffic stop,” was not clearly established at
In assessing these cross motions for summary judgment, the Court views the facts and evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. See Graves v. Arkansas Dep’t of Fin. & Admin., 229 F.3d 721, 723 (8th Cir. 2000). However, for the reasons described below, disputed material facts prevent the Court from granting either motion.
The Court must first examine whether the Officers are entitled to qualified immunity against Hoyland’s § 1983 unreasonable seizure claim. Qualified immunity protects government officers from § 1983 liability “unless the official’s conduct violates a clearly established constitutional or statutory right of which a reasonable person would have known.” Brown v. City of Golden Valley, 574 F.3d 491, 495 (8th Cir. 2009). Courts perform a two-part analysis to determine if qualified immunity applies by determining: (1) whether the facts show the violation of a constitutional or statutory right, and (2) whether that right was clearly established at the time of the alleged misconduct.
For a constitutional right to be clearly established, its contours must be sufficiently clear that a reasonable official would understand that what he is doing violates that right. This is not to say that an official action is protected by qualified immunity unless the very action in question has previously been held unlawful, but it is to say that in the light of preexisting law the unlawfulness must be apparent.
Hope v. Pelzer, 536 U.S. 730, 739, 122 S.Ct. 2508, 153 L.Ed.2d 666 (2002) (quotations and citations omitted). “The relevant, dispositive inquiry is whether it would be clear to a reasonable officer that the conduct was unlawful in the situation he confronted.” Saucier, 533 U.S. at 194-95, 121 S.Ct. 2151.
The Fourth Amendment right to be free from unlawful arrest was clearly established at the time of Hoyland’s arrest.
In' formulating probable cause, officers necessarily receive “substantial latitude in interpreting and drawing inferences from factual circumstances.” United States v. Washington, 109 F.3d 459, 465 (8th Cir. 1997) (quotations omitted). However, this latitude is subject to at least one important limitation:
[Bjecause the totality of circumstances determines the existence of probable cause, evidence that tends to negate the possibility that a suspect has committed a crime is relevant to whether the officer has probable cause. An officer contemplating an arrest is not free to disregard plainly exculpatory evidence, even if substantial inculpatory evidence (standing by itself) suggests that probable cause exists. In this sense, the Fourth Amendment requires that we analyze the weight of all the evidence — not merely the sufficiency of the incriminating evidence ....
Kuehl v. Burtis, 173 F.3d 646, 650 (8th Cir. 1999) (citations omitted). Here, whether the Officers had arguable probable cause to arrest Hoyland
In relevant part, the crime of obstruction requires that an individual intentionally obstruct, resist, or interfere with a police officer while the officer is performing his/her official duties. Minn. Stat. § 609.50, subd. 1(2), While addressing a due process challenge to the obstruction statute, the Minnesota Supreme Court made several important observations about the statute’s breadth. See State v. Krawsky, 426 N.W.2d 875 (Minn. 1988). First, the Court noted that an individual must intentionally interfere to be guilty of obstruction. Id. at 877. Second, the Court clarified that the interference required “involves not merely interrupting an officer but substantially frustrating or hindering the officer in the performance of his duties.” Id. Third, the Court interpreted the statute as being “directed solely at physical acts,” but went on to explain:
The statute may be used to punish “fighting words” or any other words that by themselves have the effect of physically obstructing or interfering with a police officer in the performance of his duties — e.g., the statute may be used to punish a person who runs beside an officer pursuing a felon in a public street shouting and cursing at the officer if the shouting and cursing physically obstructs the officer’s pursuit and if the person intends by his conduct to obstruct or interfere with the officer. However, the statute does not apply to*1123 ordinary verbal criticism directed at a police officer even while the officer is performing his official duties and does not apply to the mere act of interrupting an officer, even intentionally.
Id. at 877-78 (citations omitted) (emphases added).
The Minnesota Supreme Court later described these comments in Krawsky as dictum. See State v. Tomlin, 622 N.W.2d 546, 549 (Minn. 2001). However, the Court did not forswear this standard. See id. Instead, it concluded that although the defendant’s lies to investigators “may have lengthened the time it took the police to apprehend” the suspects, they “did not physically prevent or obstruct the police from trying to obtain the evidence,” and thus those lies could not serve as the basis for a charge of obstruction. Id. The Court held that obstruction required “a finding that the accused physically obstructed or interfered with a police officer while that officer was engaged in the performance of his official duties.”
The issue before this Court then is whether the Officers’ mistaken belief that they had probable cause to arrest Hoyland for obstruction was objectively reasonable in light of this law and the circumstances surrounding Hoyland’s arrest. Answering this question, however, requires resolving genuine issues of material fact in dispute. For instance, the parties disagree about whether Hoyland intended to interfere with the Officers’ performance of their duties. Similarly, the parties disagree about whether Hoyland’s conduct “substantially frustrated” or “merely interrupted” the Officers in their duties. A jury must resolve these disputes and assess the objective reasonableness of the Officers’ mistaken belief that they had probable cause to arrest Hoyland. See Giordano v. Lee, 434 F.2d 1227, 1230 (8th Cir. 1970) (“[•I]n [claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983], where a genuine issue of fact on the existence of probable cause for arrest is presented, the question should be submitted to the jury.”); Hoffmeyer v. Porter, 758 F.3d 1065, 1068 (8th Cir. 2014) (citing Gior-dano with approval and upholding a district court’s decision to put the issue of probable cause to a jury); Sang v. City of St. Paul, No. 09-cv-455 (RHK/SRN), 2010 WL 2346600, at *4 (D.Minn. June 8, 2010) (denying summary judgment because of disputed questions of material fact related to the existencS of arguable probable cause); Jacobson v. Mott, No. 07-cv-4420 (DWF/RLE), 2009 WL 1562772, at *5 (D.Minn. June 3, 2009), 623 F.3d 537 (8th Cir. 2010) (holding that a jury needed to decide whether arguable probable cause existed and assess the objective reasonableness of the officers’ actions in light of the facts).
C. Hoyland’s Section 1983 First Amendment Retaliatory Arrest Claim
Defendants seek summary judgment on Hoyland’s § 1983 First Amendment retaliatory arrest claim. (See Defs.’ Mot.) Again, they contend the Officers are entitled to qualified immunity. (See Defs.’ Mem. in Supp. at 23.) Defendants also allege that Hoyland failed to produce evidence establishing each of the elements of
To sustain a First Amendment retaliatory arrest claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must show that: (1) he engaged in a protected activity, (2) a government official acted against him in a way that would “chill a person of ordinary firmness from continuing in the activity,” (3) the government’s adverse act was motivated at least in part by the plaintiff engaging in the protected activity, and (4) the government official lacked at least arguable probable cause to arrest the plaintiff. Peterson v. Kopp, 754 F.3d 594, 602 (8th Cir. 2014).
1. The Protected Activity
Defendants argue that the right to film police conducting a traffic stop was not clearly established at the time of Hoy-land’s arrest and thus they are entitled to qualified immunity. (See Defs.’ Mem. in Supp. at 15-20.) Hoyland contends that his § 1983 First Amendment claim is not so narrow in terms of the rights it implicates. (See Pl.’s Mem. in Opp. at 18-24.) Specifically, Hoyland argues that his protected right to verbally engage with and criticize the police, which was clearly established at the time of his arrest, is also encompassed by his claim. (See id. at 23-24.)
Numerous federal circuit courts of appeals have recognized a general First Amendment right to record police performing their duties in public, subject to certain limitations. Am. Civil Liberties Union of Illinois v. Alvarez, 679 F.3d 583, 595-96 (7th Cir. 2012); Glik v. Cunniffe, 655 F.3d 78, 82 (1st Cir. 2011); Smith v. City of Cumming, 212 F.3d 1332, 1333 (11th Cir. 2000); Fordyce v. City of Seattle, 55 F.3d 436, 439 (9th Cir. 1995). Whether this right extends to the filming of traffic stops is unsettled. In general, because of the danger to officers and the public, police are given wide latitude in how they manage traffic stops. See Arizona v. Johnson, 555 U.S. 323, 330, 129 S.Ct. 781, 172 L.Ed.2d 694 (2009) (recognizing that traffic stops are “especially fraught with danger” for both officers and occupants of the stopped vehicle and holding that “[t]he risk of harm to both the police and the occupants [of a stopped vehicle] is minimized ... if the officers routinely exercise unquestioned command of the situation.” (alterations in original) (quotations omitted)). Only one federal circuit court of appeals has explicitly recognized a right to film officers conducting a traffic stop. See Gericke v. Begin, 753 F.3d 1, 7 (1st Cir. 2014); but see Kelly v. Borough of Carlisle, 622 F.3d 248, 262 (3d Cir. 2010) (no clearly established right to film police during a traffic stop). The Eighth Circuit has yet to address whether the First Amendment encompasses such a right.
It is unnecessary for this Court to decide whether a right to film police conducting a traffic stop exists under the First Amendment. Even assuming it does, it was not well-established at the time of Hoy-land’s arrest, which occurred before any clear judicial precedent setting forth that right. However, this does not resolve whether Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity against Hoyland’s § 1983 retaliatory arrest claim. As Hoyland notes, that claim also implicates his First Amendment right to verbally engage and criticize the Officers.
“[T]he law is settled that as a general matter the First Amendment prohibits government officials from subjecting an individual to retaliatory actions, including criminal prosecutions, for speaking out.” Hartman v. Moore, 547 U.S. 250, 256, 126 S.Ct. 1695, 164 L.Ed.2d 441 (2006) (citations omitted). The First Amendment “protects a significant amount of verbal criticism and challenge directed at police officers.” City of Houston, Tex. v. Hill, 482 U.S. 451, 461, 107 S.Ct. 2502, 96 L.Ed.2d
Thus, Defendants are not entitled to qualified immunity on the basis that Hoy-land’s First Amendment right was not clearly established. At a minimum, Hoy-land’s right to verbally engage and criticize the Officers was clearly established at the time of his arrest.
Defendants also argue that the Officers’ orders to Hoyland that he go inside were reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions — meaning Hoyland’s continued verbal engagement of the Officers after those commands were given was not a protected activity under the First Amendment. (See Defs.’ Mem. in Supp. at 20-23.) Hoyland contends that those orders were not reasonable under the circumstances because they eliminated his ability to exercise his First Amendment right. (See Pl.’s Mem. in Opp. at 23-24.)
“Expression, whether oral or written or symbolized by conduct, is subject to reasonable time, place, or manner restrictions.” Clark v. Cmty. for Creative Non-Violence, 468 U.S. 288, 293, 104 S.Ct. 3065, 82 L.Ed.2d 221 (1984). “Time, place, and manner regulations are constitutional under First Amendment jurisprudence if (1) they ‘are justified without reference to the content of the regulated speech,’ (2) ‘they are narrowly tailored to serve a significant governmental interest,’ and (3) ‘they leave open ample alternative channels for communication of the information.’ ” Excalibur Grp., Inc. v. City of Minneapolis, 116 F.3d 1216, 1220 (8th Cir. 1997) (quoting Ward v. Rock Against Racism, 491 U.S. 781, 791, 109 S.Ct. 2746, 105 L.Ed.2d 661 (1989)).
The Court cannot conclude that the Officers’ orders to Hoyland were reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions to warrant qualified immunity for two reasons. First, these orders did not leave Hoyland any alternative channel to communicate his concerns about his wife or his displeasure with how the Officers were conducting the stop. Hoyland was worried about his wife’s safety because of her physical disability, which was not readily apparent and prevented her from complying with the Officers’ commands. Waiting inside until after the Officers took Christina into custody was not an alternative because it denied Hoyland the chance to communicate that information when it mattered — while the Officers were attempting to take Christina into custody.
Second, the Officers’ orders were not narrowly tailored to serve a significant governmental interest. There is no doubt that a police officer’s ability to secure a scene — protecting the safety of the public and the officer — is a significant government interest. See Colten v. Kentucky, 407 U.S. 104, 109-10, 92 S.Ct. 1953, 32 L.Ed.2d 584 (1972) (describing the government’s interest in ensuring public safety at the scene of a traffic stop involving numerous vehicles, officers, and individuals). However, that interest must be assessed in the context of the restrictive measure employed and the circumstances present at the time. See Ward, 491 U.S. at 799, 109 S.Ct. 2746 (holding that time, place, and manner restrictions “may not burden sub
It goes without saying that the police may take all reasonable steps to maintain safety and control, secure crime scenes and accident sites, and protect the integrity and confidentiality of investigations. While an officer surely cannot issue a “move on” order to a person because he is [exercising a protected First Amendment right], the police may order bystanders to disperse for reasons related to public safety and order and other legitimate law-enforcement needs.
Alvarez, 679 F.3d at 607; see also McDermott v. Royal, 123 Fed.Appx. 241, 243 (8th Cir. 2004) (holding there was a viable § 1983 First Amendment retaliatory arrest claim where a plaintiff refused to obey the officers’ commands that she go inside and instead remained on her front porch “harassing and otherwise annoying the police” who were attempting to search a vehicle on her property).
Here, the scene was a residential driveway in a suburban neighborhood (i.e., not an inherently dangerous scene like a busy highway or a known high-crime area), where four officers were conducting a traffic stop after a short, slow-speed chase. When Hoyland emerged from his home, the driver of the vehicle was in custody and the passenger was at gun point. No one acted violently or attempted to flee and everyone, for the most part, complied with the Officers’ orders. Hoyland never left the doorway of his home, 30 or more feet away from the Officers. At least one of the Officers immediately identified the object in Hoyland’s hand as a camera and announced this fact to the others. These undisputed facts indicate that the scene was largely secure. The Officers’ commands that Hoyland go back inside did little to further their interest in securing the scene. On these facts, the Court cannot conclude as a matter of law that the Officers’ orders, which foreclosed Hoyland’s ability to communicate important information when it mattered, were narrowly tailored to serve a significant government interest.
2. The Chilling Effect
Defendants argue that the Officers’ commands to Hoyland would not have chilled a person of ordinary firmness from engaging in an activity protected by the First Amendment. (See Defs.’ Reply at 9-10.) The Court disagrees. It is not just the chilling effect of the Officers’ orders that must be considered, but also Hoyland’s subsequent arrest when he did not comply with those orders. The Officers’ orders, combined with their arrest of Hoyland, would chill a person of ordinary firmness from verbally engaging the Officers as Hoyland did. See Garcia v. City of Trenton, 348 F.3d 726, 729 (8th Cir. 2003) (holding that receiving multiple parking tickets would impermissibly chill protected speech and declaring that, “The effect on freedom of speech may be small, but since there is no justification for harassing people for exercising their constitutional rights it need not be great in order to be actionable.” (quoting Bart v. Telford, 677 F.2d 622, 625 (7th Cir. 1982)).
3. The Officers’ Motivation
Defendants claim that the Officers’ acts in ordering Hoyland to go back inside and subsequently arresting him for obstruction were not motivated by Hoy-land exercising his First Amendment rights. (See Defs.’ Reply at 10-11.) Hoyland disagrees, arguing that “[t]he officers’ orders that [Hoyland] go inside and that
To sustain a § 1983 First Amendment retaliatory arrest claim, “a plaintiff must show that the retaliatory motive [of the government actor] was a ‘substantial factor’ or ‘but-for cause’ of the adverse action,” Peterson, 754 F.3d at 602 (quoting Baribeau, 596 F.3d at 481). Stated another way, a plaintiff must' show he was “singled out” because he exercised a constitutional right. Baribeau, 596 F.3d at 481. Whether this causal connection exists is generally a jury question. Revels v. Vincenz, 382 F.3d 870, 876 (8th Cir. 2004).
The McDermott case offers a useful comparison. There, police arrived at the plaintiffs (“McDermott”) house in the early morning to arrest her son on charges of driving while intoxicated. McDermott v. Royal, 123 Fed.Appx. 241, 242 (8th Cir. 2004) (unpublished per curiam) (hereinafter, McDermott I); When McDermott realized what was happening, she stepped onto her front porch and began to “harass or otherwise annoy the police, telling them they had no right to search her son’s vehicle without a warrant and that they should leave her private property.” Id. at 242A3. However, she never engaged in any force or violence against the police, nor did she leave her' porch. Id, at '243. The police ordered McDermott to be quiet and go back inside, but she refused, and the police arrested her for obstruction. Id.
McDermott brought a § 1983 action against the officers based on her arrest. Id. at 242. The district court construed her complaint as asserting claims for excessive force, false arrest, malicious prosecution, and intentional infliction óf emotional distress. Id The district court dismissed all these counts on summary judgment, and McDermott-appealed. Id. The Eighth Circuit affirmed the district court’s dismissal of McDermott’s claims, but also held that “[u]nder these circumstances, we believe that McDermott has raised a viable (if not ultimately successful) claim that her First Amendment rights were violated insofar as she was arrested, charged, and prosecuted for the mere verbal harassment of the Defendant police officers.” Id. at 243.
On remand, the district court held an evidentiary hearing where the police presented evidence that McDermott’s conduct had agitated and distracted a drug-sniffing dog the officers were using to search a vehicle. McDermott v. Royal, 213 Fed.Appx. 500, 501-02 (8th Cir. 2007) (unpublished per curiam) (hereinafter, McDer-mott II). Based on this evidence, the district court concluded that “the First Amendment did not give McDermott the right to obstruct an officer from performing his duty and to jeopardize the safety of others by agitating a police dog,” and granted summary judgment in favor of the officers. Id. at 502. McDermott appealed and the Eighth Circuit reversed the district court, holding that McDermott’s right to a jury trial was violated. Id Specifically, the Eighth Circuit held that, despite the fact that McDermott distracted the drug-sniffing dog by shouting, yelling profanities, and waving her arms, her conduct did not amount to fighting words outside the protection of the First Amendment. Id.
On remand the second time, the district court conducted a jury trial on McDermott’s § 1983 First Amendment claim. See McDermott v. Royal, 613 F.3d 1192, 1193 (8th Cir. 2010) (hereinafter, McDermott III). The jury returned a verdict in favor of the officers, finding that “McDermott’s protected speech was not a substantial or motivating factor in her arrest and that she was not arrested for mere speech.”
4. Arguable Probable Cause
As described above, genuine issues of material fact preclude finding as a matter of law that the Officers had arguable probable cause to arrest Hoyland.
D. Hoyland’s Malicious Prosecution Claim
Defendants argue that Hoyland’s state law claim for malicious prosecution fails because the Officers acted with arguable probable cause and there is no indication of malice in their arrest of Hoyland. (See Defs.’ Mem. in Supp. at 26-28.) Similarly, they allege that because there is no evidence of maliciousness, the Officers are entitled to official immunity and the City of Rosemount (“Rosemount”) is entitled to vicarious official immunity. (See id. at 28-32.) Hoyland contends that the Officers’ malice is apparent by the fact that they lacked even arguable probable cause to arrest him and thus they are not entitled to official immunity. (PL’s Mem. in Opp. at 28-32.)
Malicious prosecution claims are generally disfavored under Minnesota law and thus are “carefully circumscribed.” Bahr v. Cty. of Martin, 771 F.Supp. 970, 979-80 (D.Minn. 1991) (quoting Lundberg v. Scoggins, 335 N.W.2d 235, 236 (Minn. 1983)). Public policy favors prosecutions undertaken in good faith. See Lundberg, 335 N.W.2d at 236. “Under Minnesota law, the tort of malicious prosecution includes four elements. The plaintiff must prove that: (1) the defendant initiated criminal proceedings (2) without probable cause and (3) with malice, and (4) the proceedings terminated in the plaintiffs favor.” Young v. Klass, 776 F.Supp.2d 916, 922 (D.Minn. 2011).
Malice is a state of mind which must be proven as a fact. Allen v. Osco Drug, Inc., 265 N.W.2d 639, 645 (Minn. 1978) (quoting Hanowitz v. Great N. Ry. Co., 122 Minn. 241, 142 N.W. 196, 197 (Minn. 1913)). “[M]alice may be, but need not be, inferred from lack of probable cause.” Id, at 645. Government officials might lack the probable cause necessary to arrest and charge an individual, but not have the malicious state of mind necessary to sustain a claim for malicious prosecution. See Hanowitz, 142 N.W. at 197 (‘Want of probable cause may exist without malice.”).
Hoyland’s only “evidence” of the Officers’ malicious intent is his belief that “no reasonable officer could have believed there was lawful a [sic] basis to arrest [Hoyland],” under the circumstances.
IV. CONCLUSION
Hoyland’s 42 U.S.C. § 1983 unlawful search claim against Coughlin is dismissed by agreement of the parties. Hoyland’s malicious prosecution claim is dismissed because there is no evidence the Officers maliciously charged him with obstruction. However, genuine issues of material fact preclude the Court from granting summary judgment on Hoyland’s § 1983 claims for unreasonable seizure and First Amendment retaliatory arrest.
Y. ORDER
Based on the submissions and the entire file and proceedings herein, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Plaintiffs Motion for Partial Summary Judgment [Doc. No. 22] is DENIED.
2. Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment [Doc. No. 16] is DENIED IN PART AND GRANTED IN PART as follows:
a.Plaintiffs 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim against Defendant Coughlin for unreasonable search (Compl., Count III [Doc. No. 1]) is dismissed with prejudice. Defendant Coughlin is dismissed from the case;
b. Plaintiffs malicious prosecution claim (Compl., Count V) is dismissed with prejudice; and
c. Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment is otherwise denied.
. Hoyland’s evidence was presented through exhibits attached to the Affidavit of Frederick J. Goetz [Doc. No. 25]. Defendants' evidence was presented through exhibits accompanying the Affidavit of Brian Taylor [Doc. No. 18]. Both parties provided similar evidence consisting primarily of the parties’ depositions and videos from the Officers' dashboard cameras and Hoyland’s cellphone. For the sake of brevity, the Court cites to this overlapping evidence as it appears in the Goetz Affidavit. The Court notes when it cites evidence provided in the Taylor Affidavit. Additionally, when any deposition is cited, the pages referenced are those found in the deposition itself, not those assigned by ECF.
.The dashboard cameras in the vehicles of Officers McMenomy, Eckstein, and Coughlin were all included as Exhibit 1 to the Goetz Affidavit. No video or audio evidence from Officer Cho’s squad was produced by either
. Unbeknownst to the Officers at the time, the house at which the Corvette stopped was the residence of Plaintiff Hoyland and his wife, Christina Hoyland, (See Goetz Aff., Ex, 3 ("B, Hoyland Depo.”) at 5-6 [Doc. No. 25-3].)
. The video evidence shows that Illetschko wás searched and in handcuffs, standing with Coughlin next to the squad cars, when Hoy-land emerged from the house, (See Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:46:58-1:47:26, Coughlin at 00:47:25-00:48:09.) Coughlin placed Illetschko in the back of a squad car while McMenomy and Cho moved in to arrest Hoyland. (See Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:46:58-1:47:26, Coughlin at 00:48:00-21). Defendants agree that Hoyland's emergence from the house did not prevent or otherwise interfere with Coughlin's ability to detain Il-letschko. (See Coughlin Depo. at 50; McMenomy Depo. at 59-60; Eckstein Depo. at 39-40.)
. Christina suffers from paralysis in one of her legs that limits her mobility. (See C. Hoy-land Depo. at 16; B. Hoyland Depo. at 47-48.)
. Hoyland’s Cellphone Video is approximately one minute and fifteen seconds long. Since the video contains no time stamps, the Court cites to specific time periods (e.g., 00:50-1:01).
. McMenomy believes Cho made this statement. (McMenomy Depo. at 104.) However, Cho does not remember whether he ordered Hoyland to drop the camera. (Cho. Depo. at 64-65.)
. It is not entirely clear how or when McMen-omy’s instructions to Hoyland changed from suggestions to orders. (See McMenomy Depo. at 91-92 (describing the difference being the “actual words [he] used,” first suggesting Hoyland “go back inside" and then ordering that Hoyland “stay inside”).)
. It is not clear from the video which Officer spoke with Hoyland at this time.
. Except for a brief moment when Hoyland first emerged from the house, Eckstein's attention remained on Christina. (Eckstein Depo. at 40.) However, Defendants now point to a statement by Eckstein to Hoyland explaining that he could not hear what Christina was saying because of Hoyland’s conduct, implying that this constituted an interference with- Eckstein’s duties. (See Defs.' Mem. in Opp. at 8, n.2 [Doc. No. 32] (citing Dashboard Videos, Eckstein at 2:33:10-2:34:40.).)
. Hoyland served for a time as a military police officer. (B. Hoyland Depo. at 12, 14-15.)
. Defendants refer to Hoyland's deposition ' where he comments on a portion of his cellphone video where he says, "Get over here and do your job the right way!” (See B. Hoy-land Depo. at 86-87; Cellphone Video at 00:28-34.) Hoyland testified that he made that statement because he "wanted [Cho] to go and intercede because the two officers who were initially handling the situation, looked to me to be unsure and inexperienced.” (B. Hoy-land Depo. at 86-87.)
. This discussion took place off camera and thus the Court' cannot say with certainty which Officer made these statements.
. The Court cites to the page numbers as they appear within this document, not to the ECF page numbers.
.Hoyland initially claimed that Coughlin illegally entered and searched his home without a warrant or circumstances allowing for an exception to the general warrant requirement. (Compl., Count III at ¶¶ 44-45.) As discussed later, Hoyland does not oppose dismissal of this claim and Coughlin as a defendant.
. Courts may address the prongs of the qualified immunity analysis in whatever order they deem appropriate based on the circumstances of the case. Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223, 236, 129 S.Ct. 808, 172 L.Ed.2d 565 (2009).
. Defendants’ attempt to characterize the right at issue as the right to “insert [oneself] within 30 feet of a high risk stop,” and "converse with officers while conducting a traffic stop,” misunderstands Hoyland’s claim. Hoy-land's § 1983 unreasonable seizure claim plainly alleges that his Fourth Amendment right to be free from unlawful arrest was violated when the Officers arrested him for obstruction of legal process without arguable probable cause. (Compl., Count I at ¶ 36.)
.Qualified immunity is a question of law for the Court, not an issue for the jury. See Littrell v. Franklin, 388 F.3d 578, 584 (8th Cir. 2004). "The issue of qualified immunily, however, is frequently intertwined with unresolved factual questions.” Id. at 585, Under such circumstances, a court may put specific factual interrogatories to the, juty and then rely upon the jury’s factual findings to make a qualified immunity ruling. Id.
. To be clear, the Officers did not have probable cause to arrest Hoyland for obstruction. This was decided by Judge Perkkio when she dismissed the criminal charge against Hoy-land. Defendants will not be allowed to argue that the Officers actually had probable cause at trial. The focus will be on whether the Officers' mistaken belief théy had probable cause to arrest Hoyland for obstruction was objectively reasonable (i.e,, if the Officers had arguable probable cause).
. Hoyland construes the case law to require that “some physical act that interferes or obstructs an officer in the performance of their official duties must accompany verbal conduct that is not ‘fighting words’ ,... ” (See Pl.’s Mem. in Opp. at 13-14.) The Court disagrees, The Minnesota Supreme Court in Krawsky plainly stated that the obstruction statute "may be used to punish ‘fighting words’ or any other words that by themselves have the effect of physically obstructing or interfering with a police officer in 'the performance of his duties ....” 426 N.W.2d at 877 (emphasis added).
. Since the First Amendment affords citizens the right to criticize police conduct, it logically also protects their ability to inform officers of important information related to the officers' duties and public safety — like Hoyland’s attempt to notify the Officers of his wife’s disability.
. The district court went on to find that the obstruction ordinance McDermott was prose
. Hoyland also contends that the fact Eck-stein issued him the citation on the basis of what he was told by the other Officers, not because of what Eckstein himself witnessed,
Opinion of the Court
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff Brian Hoyland’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (“Pl,’s Mot.”) [Doc. No. 22] and Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment (“Defs.’ Mot.”) [Doc. No. 16]. A hearing on these Motions was held on December 11, 2015 at which time the Court made certain rulings and took the remaining portions of the Motions under advisement.
I. INTRODUCTION
This suit stems from the arrest of Plaintiff Brian Hoyland (“Hoyland”) by Rose-mount police officers Shawn McMenomy (“McMenomy”), Henry Cho (“Cho”), Alex Eckstein (“Eckstein”), and Ryan Coughlin (“Coughlin”) (collectively, “the Officers”) on May 8, 2013. Some of this incident was captured on video. Although many material facts are undisputed, some material facts remain in dispute. Moreover, the parties’ perceptions of the events are quite different. A jury must resolve these disputes, precluding summary judgment on most of Hoyland’s claims.
II. BACKGROUND
A. The Traffic Incident
In the early morning hours of May 8, 2013, Rosemount police received a report of exhibition driving (i.e., drag racing). (Aff. of Frederick J. Goetz (“Goetz Aff.”) [Doc. No. 25], Ex. 4 (“McMenomy Depo.”) at 39 [Doc. No. 25-4].
After following the Corvette for a short distance, McMenomy observed its tires “partially” cross the center dividing line. (McMenomy Depo. at 48.) McMenomy activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, but the vehicle did not immediately stop and instead turned left into a residential neighborhood. (Id. at 48-49; see Goetz Aff., Ex. 1 (“Dashboard Videos”), McMenomy at 1:43:27-33
B. The Arrest
Shortly after coming to a stop, Illetsch-ko attempted to exit the vehicle. (McMeno-my Depo. at 51.) McMenomy parked his squad car- partially in the driveway, drew his service weapon; pointed it at Illetschko, and ordered Illetschko to remain in the vehicle, and Illetschko complied. (McMenomy Depo. at 50-51; see Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:44:13-1:45:32.) At this same time, Officer Eckstein arrived on the scene and drew his service weapon, pointing it at the vehicle. (See Eckstein Depo. at 32.)
McMenomy gave Illetschko a series of commands (e.g., to put his hands up, to exit the vehicle, to walk backwards towards the squad cars, etc.) all of which Illetschko obeyed. (See McMenomy Depo. at 52; Eckstein Depo. at 33; Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:44:13-1:45:32.) At no time did Illetschko. resist, attempt to flee, or disobey the Officers’ commands. (See McMenomy Depo. at 52; Eckstein Depo. at 33.) At about this same time, Officer Coughlin and then Sergeant Cho arrived on the scene. (Goetz Aff., Ex. 5 (“Cho Depo”) at 51-52 [Doc. No. 25-5], Ex. 7 (“Coughlin Depo.”) at 47 [Doc. No. 25-7]; see Dashboard Videos, Coughlin at 00:46:27-00:47:00.) Officer Coughlin took Illetschko into custody, searched him, handcuffed, him, and placed him in the back of a squad car, all without incident.
Christina Hoyland (“Christina”), Plaintiff Hoyland’s wife, was a passenger in the Corvette. (Goetz Aff., Ex. 8 (“C. Hoyland Depo.”) at 6, 11-16.) The Officers ordered Christina to keep her hands in the air and exit the vehicle. (See McMenomy Depo. at 56; Eckstein Depo. at 34; Coughlin Depo. at 53; Cho Depo. at 54-55; Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:47:15-26, Coughlin at 00:46:27-00:47:25.) The parties dispute how compliant Christina was with the Officers’ commands. (See McMenomy Depo. at 56-57 (describing Christina as initially non-compliant and yelling profanities, but stating that she eventually put her hands in the air and became compliant); Eckstein Depo. at 34-35 (describing Christina as using profanities, but being compliant for the most part); Coughlin Depo. at 53-54, 67-68; Cho Depo. at 54-55; C. Hoyland Depo. at 15-16,18-19 (describing herself as compliant with the Officers’ commands to keep her hands up, but admitting to directing profanity at them).) The video evidence shows that Christina by-and-large followed the Officers’ commands, but did direct verbal criticism — including profanity — at them in the process. (See Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:47:15-1:48:00, Coughlin at 00:46:27-00:48:09.) Christina was trying, at least in part, to communicate that she was physically disabled
Hoyland was awoken by the commotion and after observing police officers outside the front of his house, he moved his children into his bedroom at the back of the house. (B. Hoyland Depo. at 49-51.) Hoy-land then retrieved his cellphone with the intent of filming the incident for “protection” because he feared for his family’s safety. (See id. at 52-53.) He initially planned to record the incident from inside, but grew concerned for his wife’s safety when he believed he heard the Officers use the word “shoot” or “shooting.” (See id. at 54-55.) Hoyland claims he went outside to inform the Officers that his wife had a physical disability that prevented her from complying with their commands. (Id. at 56-57.)
Hoyland turned on his porch light and opened the front door holding his cellphone, which was recording, in front of him. (See B. Hoyland Depo. at 56; McMen-omy Depo. at 65-67; Eckstein Depo. at 36-37; Goetz Aff., Ex. 2 (“Cellphone Video”) at 00:00-12
McMenomy shouted to Hoyland to go back inside the house. (McMenomy Depo. at 70; see Cellphone Video at 00:12-19.) He claims that initially this instruction was a suggestion and not an order. (McMenomy Depo. at 90.) Hoyland remained in the doorway and shouted statements like, “You are on my lawn!” and “What is this, a DWI stop, and you guys are doing this? Are you kidding me?” (Cellphone Video at 00:20-28.) Out of concern for his wife, he also shouted to the: Officers that his wife was handicapped and demanded that they do their jobs “the right way.” (Id. at 00:28-34.)
Because Hoyland did not go back inside his home, McMenomy ordered Hoyland to “stay inside.”
Hoyland initially protested that he was not under arrest, repeatedly told the Officers that his wife was handicapped, and attempted to show the Officers he was unarmed. (See id. at 00:34-56.) During this time, Christina can be heard shouting that she is handicapped. (See id. at 00:38-56.) Hoyland was instructed to raise his hands and lay down on the ground, and he was taken into custody by McMenomy and Cho without incident. (See McMenomy Depo. at 70-71; Cho Depo. at 77; Cellphone Video at 00:40-1:10; Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:47:46-1:49:45.) Shortly thereafter, Christina, who was standing next to the vehicle the entire time, was taken into custody by Eckstein and Coughlin without incident. (See Cho. Depo. at 77; Eckstein Depo. at 46; Dashboard Videos, McMeno-my at 1:49:45-59.)
The entire incident, from the moment when Hoyland emerged from his home to the moment he and Christina were under arrest in the Officers’ physical custody, lasted approximately two minutes and twenty seconds. (See Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:47:26-1:49:49.) Hoyland never left the area of his front door, never told Christina to resist or otherwise disobey the Officers’ commands, and never resisted, fled from, or otherwise attempted to physically intervene with the Officers himself. (See McMenomy Depo. at 71, 87; Cho Depo. at 66-68; Eckstein Depo. at 45-46; Coughlin Depo. at 62-63, 66-67; Cellphone Video; Dashboard Videos, McMeno-my at 1:47:26-1:49:45, Coughlin at 00:47:25-
C. The Charge Against Hoyland and Its Subsequent Dismissal
Shortly after being taken into custody, Hoyland was placed in the back of McMen-omy’s squad car and one of the Officers spoke to him.
Hoyland was subsequently placed in the back of Eckstein’s squad car and Eckstein issued him a citation for obstruction of legal process. (Eckstein Depo. at 47-48; Dashboard Videos, Eckstein at 2:23:23-2:34:40.) Eckstein issued the citation on the instruction of Cho and Coughlin, not because he personally witnessed anything he believed constituted obstruction.
Eckstein informed Hoyland that he was being charged with obstruction for failing to obey the Officers’ commands and distracting them from their duties. (See Dashboard Videos, Eckstein at 2:33:10-2:34:40.) Hoyland told Eckstein that he had been a police officer and would have done the same thing.
Eckstein explained to Hoyland that from the Officers’ standpoint, Hoyland had emerged from the house holding an unidentified object in his hand, disobeyed their orders to go back inside, and in the
Hoyland subsequently challenged the obstruction charge against him in Dakota County District Court, arguing that the Officers lacked probable cause to arrest him. (See Goetz Aff., Ex. 11 (“Dakota County Court Order”) at 10
[Hoyland’s] actions did not constitute the crime of Obstruction of Legal Process. It is clear from the video recording obtained from [Hoyland’s] .cell phone that [Hoylund] exited his residence with the sole intent to inform officers his wife was disabled and unable to comply with their commands, and to record the incident for possitóle future use as evidence if the officers engaged in any improper conduct. The recording also shows that within seconds of [Hoyland’s] exiting the residence, the officers were aware the object he held was a camera. The entire encounter with [Hoyland] lasted approximately one minute, during which time [Hoyland] consistently attempted to communicate his wife was disabled. [Hoyland’s] conduct amounted to nothing more than a fleeting interruption of the officers’ performance of their duties without any intent to cause such an interruption. Accordingly, there is not probable cause to sustain the charge and the charge is dismissed.
(Id. at 10.)
D. Procedural Background
Based on the facts above, Hoyland brought claims against McMenomy, Cho, and Eckstein pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for unreasonable seizure, (Compl., Count I at ¶¶ 36-38 [Doc. No. 1]), and violation of his First Amendment rights, (id.. Count II at ¶¶ 39-43), as well as a state law claim for malicious prosecution, (id., Count V at ¶¶ 48-51). Hoyland also brought a § 1983 claim against Coughlin for an unreasonable search.
Hoyland seeks partial summary judgment as to liability on his unreasonable seizure claim (Count I). (See Pl.’s Mot.) He provided a memorandum of law and reply in support of this Motion. (PL’s Mem. in Supp. [Doc. No. 24]; PL’s Reply [Doc. No. 40].) Defendants oppose Hoyland’s Motion. (Defs.’ Mem. in Opp. [Doc. No. 32].)
Defendants also seek summary judgment dismissing all of Hoyland’s claims. (Defs.’ Mot.) They filed a memorandum of law and reply in support of that Motion. (Defs.’ Summary Judgment Mem. of Law
III. DISCUSSION
A. Standard of Review
Summary judgment is proper if, drawing all reasonable inferences in favor of the non-moving party, there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986); Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249-50, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). “Summary judgment procedure is properly regarded not as a disfavored procedural shortcut, but rather as an integral part of the Federal Rules as a whole, which are designed ‘to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action.’ ” Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 327, 106 S.Ct. 2548 (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 1).
The party moving for summary judgment bears the burden of showing that the material facts in the case are undisputed. Id. at 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548. Summary judgment is properly entered “against a party who fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party’s case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial.” Id. at 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, However, “a party opposing a properly supported motion for summary judgment may not rest upon mere allegation or denials of his pleading, but must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 256, 106 S.Ct. 2505. “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 unnecessary will not be counted.” |d. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505.
B. Hoyland’s Section 1983 Unreasonable Seizure Claim
Hoyland seeks summary judgment on liability for his § 1983 unreasonable seizure claim against McMenomy, Eckstein, and Cho. (See Pl.’s Mot.) In support, he argues that the Officers are not entitled to qualified immunity because his Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable seizure was well-established at the time of his arrest and the Officers lacked arguable probable cause to arrest him for obstruction. (See Pl.’s Mem. in Supp. at 24-33.) More specifically, Hoyland contends that none of his conduct interfered with the Officers’ performance of their duties— a requirement for an arrest for obstruction. (See id. at 29-33.)
Conversely, the Officers seek summary judgment dismissing Hoyland’s § 1983 unreasonable seizure claim. (See Defs.' Mot.) The Officers claim they are entitled to qualified immunity against Hoyland’s claim because the Officers had arguable probable cause to arrest Hoyland for obstruction. (See Defs.’ Mem. in Supp. at 10-14.) They argue that Hoyland’s actions did not merely interrupt them, but rather “substantially frustrated the performance of [their] duties ..,. ” (See Defs.’ Mem. in Opp. at 12-14.) Even if they lacked arguable probable cause, Defendants contend that Hoyland’s right to “insert himself within 30 feet of a high risk stop,” and “converse with officers while conducting a traffic stop,” was not clearly established at
In assessing these cross motions for summary judgment, the Court views the facts and evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. See Graves v. Arkansas Dep’t of Fin. & Admin., 229 F.3d 721, 723 (8th Cir. 2000). However, for the reasons described below, disputed material facts prevent the Court from granting either motion.
The Court must first examine whether the Officers are entitled to qualified immunity against Hoyland’s § 1983 unreasonable seizure claim. Qualified immunity protects government officers from § 1983 liability “unless the official’s conduct violates a clearly established constitutional or statutory right of which a reasonable person would have known.” Brown v. City of Golden Valley, 574 F.3d 491, 495 (8th Cir. 2009). Courts perform a two-part analysis to determine if qualified immunity applies by determining: (1) whether the facts show the violation of a constitutional or statutory right, and (2) whether that right was clearly established at the time of the alleged misconduct.
For a constitutional right to be clearly established, its contours must be sufficiently clear that a reasonable official would understand that what he is doing violates that right. This is not to say that an official action is protected by qualified immunity unless the very action in question has previously been held unlawful, but it is to say that in the light of preexisting law the unlawfulness must be apparent.
Hope v. Pelzer, 536 U.S. 730, 739, 122 S.Ct. 2508, 153 L.Ed.2d 666 (2002) (quotations and citations omitted). “The relevant, dispositive inquiry is whether it would be clear to a reasonable officer that the conduct was unlawful in the situation he confronted.” Saucier, 533 U.S. at 194-95, 121 S.Ct. 2151.
The Fourth Amendment right to be free from unlawful arrest was clearly established at the time of Hoyland’s arrest.
In' formulating probable cause, officers necessarily receive “substantial latitude in interpreting and drawing inferences from factual circumstances.” United States v. Washington, 109 F.3d 459, 465 (8th Cir. 1997) (quotations omitted). However, this latitude is subject to at least one important limitation:
[Bjecause the totality of circumstances determines the existence of probable cause, evidence that tends to negate the possibility that a suspect has committed a crime is relevant to whether the officer has probable cause. An officer contemplating an arrest is not free to disregard plainly exculpatory evidence, even if substantial inculpatory evidence (standing by itself) suggests that probable cause exists. In this sense, the Fourth Amendment requires that we analyze the weight of all the evidence — not merely the sufficiency of the incriminating evidence ....
Kuehl v. Burtis, 173 F.3d 646, 650 (8th Cir. 1999) (citations omitted). Here, whether the Officers had arguable probable cause to arrest Hoyland
In relevant part, the crime of obstruction requires that an individual intentionally obstruct, resist, or interfere with a police officer while the officer is performing his/her official duties. Minn. Stat. § 609.50, subd. 1(2), While addressing a due process challenge to the obstruction statute, the Minnesota Supreme Court made several important observations about the statute’s breadth. See State v. Krawsky, 426 N.W.2d 875 (Minn. 1988). First, the Court noted that an individual must intentionally interfere to be guilty of obstruction. Id. at 877. Second, the Court clarified that the interference required “involves not merely interrupting an officer but substantially frustrating or hindering the officer in the performance of his duties.” Id. Third, the Court interpreted the statute as being “directed solely at physical acts,” but went on to explain:
The statute may be used to punish “fighting words” or any other words that by themselves have the effect of physically obstructing or interfering with a police officer in the performance of his duties — e.g., the statute may be used to punish a person who runs beside an officer pursuing a felon in a public street shouting and cursing at the officer if the shouting and cursing physically obstructs the officer’s pursuit and if the person intends by his conduct to obstruct or interfere with the officer. However, the statute does not apply to*1123 ordinary verbal criticism directed at a police officer even while the officer is performing his official duties and does not apply to the mere act of interrupting an officer, even intentionally.
Id. at 877-78 (citations omitted) (emphases added).
The Minnesota Supreme Court later described these comments in Krawsky as dictum. See State v. Tomlin, 622 N.W.2d 546, 549 (Minn. 2001). However, the Court did not forswear this standard. See id. Instead, it concluded that although the defendant’s lies to investigators “may have lengthened the time it took the police to apprehend” the suspects, they “did not physically prevent or obstruct the police from trying to obtain the evidence,” and thus those lies could not serve as the basis for a charge of obstruction. Id. The Court held that obstruction required “a finding that the accused physically obstructed or interfered with a police officer while that officer was engaged in the performance of his official duties.”
The issue before this Court then is whether the Officers’ mistaken belief that they had probable cause to arrest Hoyland for obstruction was objectively reasonable in light of this law and the circumstances surrounding Hoyland’s arrest. Answering this question, however, requires resolving genuine issues of material fact in dispute. For instance, the parties disagree about whether Hoyland intended to interfere with the Officers’ performance of their duties. Similarly, the parties disagree about whether Hoyland’s conduct “substantially frustrated” or “merely interrupted” the Officers in their duties. A jury must resolve these disputes and assess the objective reasonableness of the Officers’ mistaken belief that they had probable cause to arrest Hoyland. See Giordano v. Lee, 434 F.2d 1227, 1230 (8th Cir. 1970) (“[•I]n [claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983], where a genuine issue of fact on the existence of probable cause for arrest is presented, the question should be submitted to the jury.”); Hoffmeyer v. Porter, 758 F.3d 1065, 1068 (8th Cir. 2014) (citing Gior-dano with approval and upholding a district court’s decision to put the issue of probable cause to a jury); Sang v. City of St. Paul, No. 09-cv-455 (RHK/SRN), 2010 WL 2346600, at *4 (D.Minn. June 8, 2010) (denying summary judgment because of disputed questions of material fact related to the existencS of arguable probable cause); Jacobson v. Mott, No. 07-cv-4420 (DWF/RLE), 2009 WL 1562772, at *5 (D.Minn. June 3, 2009), 623 F.3d 537 (8th Cir. 2010) (holding that a jury needed to decide whether arguable probable cause existed and assess the objective reasonableness of the officers’ actions in light of the facts).
C. Hoyland’s Section 1983 First Amendment Retaliatory Arrest Claim
Defendants seek summary judgment on Hoyland’s § 1983 First Amendment retaliatory arrest claim. (See Defs.’ Mot.) Again, they contend the Officers are entitled to qualified immunity. (See Defs.’ Mem. in Supp. at 23.) Defendants also allege that Hoyland failed to produce evidence establishing each of the elements of
To sustain a First Amendment retaliatory arrest claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must show that: (1) he engaged in a protected activity, (2) a government official acted against him in a way that would “chill a person of ordinary firmness from continuing in the activity,” (3) the government’s adverse act was motivated at least in part by the plaintiff engaging in the protected activity, and (4) the government official lacked at least arguable probable cause to arrest the plaintiff. Peterson v. Kopp, 754 F.3d 594, 602 (8th Cir. 2014).
1. The Protected Activity
Defendants argue that the right to film police conducting a traffic stop was not clearly established at the time of Hoy-land’s arrest and thus they are entitled to qualified immunity. (See Defs.’ Mem. in Supp. at 15-20.) Hoyland contends that his § 1983 First Amendment claim is not so narrow in terms of the rights it implicates. (See Pl.’s Mem. in Opp. at 18-24.) Specifically, Hoyland argues that his protected right to verbally engage with and criticize the police, which was clearly established at the time of his arrest, is also encompassed by his claim. (See id. at 23-24.)
Numerous federal circuit courts of appeals have recognized a general First Amendment right to record police performing their duties in public, subject to certain limitations. Am. Civil Liberties Union of Illinois v. Alvarez, 679 F.3d 583, 595-96 (7th Cir. 2012); Glik v. Cunniffe, 655 F.3d 78, 82 (1st Cir. 2011); Smith v. City of Cumming, 212 F.3d 1332, 1333 (11th Cir. 2000); Fordyce v. City of Seattle, 55 F.3d 436, 439 (9th Cir. 1995). Whether this right extends to the filming of traffic stops is unsettled. In general, because of the danger to officers and the public, police are given wide latitude in how they manage traffic stops. See Arizona v. Johnson, 555 U.S. 323, 330, 129 S.Ct. 781, 172 L.Ed.2d 694 (2009) (recognizing that traffic stops are “especially fraught with danger” for both officers and occupants of the stopped vehicle and holding that “[t]he risk of harm to both the police and the occupants [of a stopped vehicle] is minimized ... if the officers routinely exercise unquestioned command of the situation.” (alterations in original) (quotations omitted)). Only one federal circuit court of appeals has explicitly recognized a right to film officers conducting a traffic stop. See Gericke v. Begin, 753 F.3d 1, 7 (1st Cir. 2014); but see Kelly v. Borough of Carlisle, 622 F.3d 248, 262 (3d Cir. 2010) (no clearly established right to film police during a traffic stop). The Eighth Circuit has yet to address whether the First Amendment encompasses such a right.
It is unnecessary for this Court to decide whether a right to film police conducting a traffic stop exists under the First Amendment. Even assuming it does, it was not well-established at the time of Hoy-land’s arrest, which occurred before any clear judicial precedent setting forth that right. However, this does not resolve whether Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity against Hoyland’s § 1983 retaliatory arrest claim. As Hoyland notes, that claim also implicates his First Amendment right to verbally engage and criticize the Officers.
“[T]he law is settled that as a general matter the First Amendment prohibits government officials from subjecting an individual to retaliatory actions, including criminal prosecutions, for speaking out.” Hartman v. Moore, 547 U.S. 250, 256, 126 S.Ct. 1695, 164 L.Ed.2d 441 (2006) (citations omitted). The First Amendment “protects a significant amount of verbal criticism and challenge directed at police officers.” City of Houston, Tex. v. Hill, 482 U.S. 451, 461, 107 S.Ct. 2502, 96 L.Ed.2d
Thus, Defendants are not entitled to qualified immunity on the basis that Hoy-land’s First Amendment right was not clearly established. At a minimum, Hoy-land’s right to verbally engage and criticize the Officers was clearly established at the time of his arrest.
Defendants also argue that the Officers’ orders to Hoyland that he go inside were reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions — meaning Hoyland’s continued verbal engagement of the Officers after those commands were given was not a protected activity under the First Amendment. (See Defs.’ Mem. in Supp. at 20-23.) Hoyland contends that those orders were not reasonable under the circumstances because they eliminated his ability to exercise his First Amendment right. (See Pl.’s Mem. in Opp. at 23-24.)
“Expression, whether oral or written or symbolized by conduct, is subject to reasonable time, place, or manner restrictions.” Clark v. Cmty. for Creative Non-Violence, 468 U.S. 288, 293, 104 S.Ct. 3065, 82 L.Ed.2d 221 (1984). “Time, place, and manner regulations are constitutional under First Amendment jurisprudence if (1) they ‘are justified without reference to the content of the regulated speech,’ (2) ‘they are narrowly tailored to serve a significant governmental interest,’ and (3) ‘they leave open ample alternative channels for communication of the information.’ ” Excalibur Grp., Inc. v. City of Minneapolis, 116 F.3d 1216, 1220 (8th Cir. 1997) (quoting Ward v. Rock Against Racism, 491 U.S. 781, 791, 109 S.Ct. 2746, 105 L.Ed.2d 661 (1989)).
The Court cannot conclude that the Officers’ orders to Hoyland were reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions to warrant qualified immunity for two reasons. First, these orders did not leave Hoyland any alternative channel to communicate his concerns about his wife or his displeasure with how the Officers were conducting the stop. Hoyland was worried about his wife’s safety because of her physical disability, which was not readily apparent and prevented her from complying with the Officers’ commands. Waiting inside until after the Officers took Christina into custody was not an alternative because it denied Hoyland the chance to communicate that information when it mattered — while the Officers were attempting to take Christina into custody.
Second, the Officers’ orders were not narrowly tailored to serve a significant governmental interest. There is no doubt that a police officer’s ability to secure a scene — protecting the safety of the public and the officer — is a significant government interest. See Colten v. Kentucky, 407 U.S. 104, 109-10, 92 S.Ct. 1953, 32 L.Ed.2d 584 (1972) (describing the government’s interest in ensuring public safety at the scene of a traffic stop involving numerous vehicles, officers, and individuals). However, that interest must be assessed in the context of the restrictive measure employed and the circumstances present at the time. See Ward, 491 U.S. at 799, 109 S.Ct. 2746 (holding that time, place, and manner restrictions “may not burden sub
It goes without saying that the police may take all reasonable steps to maintain safety and control, secure crime scenes and accident sites, and protect the integrity and confidentiality of investigations. While an officer surely cannot issue a “move on” order to a person because he is [exercising a protected First Amendment right], the police may order bystanders to disperse for reasons related to public safety and order and other legitimate law-enforcement needs.
Alvarez, 679 F.3d at 607; see also McDermott v. Royal, 123 Fed.Appx. 241, 243 (8th Cir. 2004) (holding there was a viable § 1983 First Amendment retaliatory arrest claim where a plaintiff refused to obey the officers’ commands that she go inside and instead remained on her front porch “harassing and otherwise annoying the police” who were attempting to search a vehicle on her property).
Here, the scene was a residential driveway in a suburban neighborhood (i.e., not an inherently dangerous scene like a busy highway or a known high-crime area), where four officers were conducting a traffic stop after a short, slow-speed chase. When Hoyland emerged from his home, the driver of the vehicle was in custody and the passenger was at gun point. No one acted violently or attempted to flee and everyone, for the most part, complied with the Officers’ orders. Hoyland never left the doorway of his home, 30 or more feet away from the Officers. At least one of the Officers immediately identified the object in Hoyland’s hand as a camera and announced this fact to the others. These undisputed facts indicate that the scene was largely secure. The Officers’ commands that Hoyland go back inside did little to further their interest in securing the scene. On these facts, the Court cannot conclude as a matter of law that the Officers’ orders, which foreclosed Hoyland’s ability to communicate important information when it mattered, were narrowly tailored to serve a significant government interest.
2. The Chilling Effect
Defendants argue that the Officers’ commands to Hoyland would not have chilled a person of ordinary firmness from engaging in an activity protected by the First Amendment. (See Defs.’ Reply at 9-10.) The Court disagrees. It is not just the chilling effect of the Officers’ orders that must be considered, but also Hoyland’s subsequent arrest when he did not comply with those orders. The Officers’ orders, combined with their arrest of Hoyland, would chill a person of ordinary firmness from verbally engaging the Officers as Hoyland did. See Garcia v. City of Trenton, 348 F.3d 726, 729 (8th Cir. 2003) (holding that receiving multiple parking tickets would impermissibly chill protected speech and declaring that, “The effect on freedom of speech may be small, but since there is no justification for harassing people for exercising their constitutional rights it need not be great in order to be actionable.” (quoting Bart v. Telford, 677 F.2d 622, 625 (7th Cir. 1982)).
3. The Officers’ Motivation
Defendants claim that the Officers’ acts in ordering Hoyland to go back inside and subsequently arresting him for obstruction were not motivated by Hoy-land exercising his First Amendment rights. (See Defs.’ Reply at 10-11.) Hoyland disagrees, arguing that “[t]he officers’ orders that [Hoyland] go inside and that
To sustain a § 1983 First Amendment retaliatory arrest claim, “a plaintiff must show that the retaliatory motive [of the government actor] was a ‘substantial factor’ or ‘but-for cause’ of the adverse action,” Peterson, 754 F.3d at 602 (quoting Baribeau, 596 F.3d at 481). Stated another way, a plaintiff must' show he was “singled out” because he exercised a constitutional right. Baribeau, 596 F.3d at 481. Whether this causal connection exists is generally a jury question. Revels v. Vincenz, 382 F.3d 870, 876 (8th Cir. 2004).
The McDermott case offers a useful comparison. There, police arrived at the plaintiffs (“McDermott”) house in the early morning to arrest her son on charges of driving while intoxicated. McDermott v. Royal, 123 Fed.Appx. 241, 242 (8th Cir. 2004) (unpublished per curiam) (hereinafter, McDermott I); When McDermott realized what was happening, she stepped onto her front porch and began to “harass or otherwise annoy the police, telling them they had no right to search her son’s vehicle without a warrant and that they should leave her private property.” Id. at 242A3. However, she never engaged in any force or violence against the police, nor did she leave her' porch. Id, at '243. The police ordered McDermott to be quiet and go back inside, but she refused, and the police arrested her for obstruction. Id.
McDermott brought a § 1983 action against the officers based on her arrest. Id. at 242. The district court construed her complaint as asserting claims for excessive force, false arrest, malicious prosecution, and intentional infliction óf emotional distress. Id The district court dismissed all these counts on summary judgment, and McDermott-appealed. Id. The Eighth Circuit affirmed the district court’s dismissal of McDermott’s claims, but also held that “[u]nder these circumstances, we believe that McDermott has raised a viable (if not ultimately successful) claim that her First Amendment rights were violated insofar as she was arrested, charged, and prosecuted for the mere verbal harassment of the Defendant police officers.” Id. at 243.
On remand, the district court held an evidentiary hearing where the police presented evidence that McDermott’s conduct had agitated and distracted a drug-sniffing dog the officers were using to search a vehicle. McDermott v. Royal, 213 Fed.Appx. 500, 501-02 (8th Cir. 2007) (unpublished per curiam) (hereinafter, McDer-mott II). Based on this evidence, the district court concluded that “the First Amendment did not give McDermott the right to obstruct an officer from performing his duty and to jeopardize the safety of others by agitating a police dog,” and granted summary judgment in favor of the officers. Id. at 502. McDermott appealed and the Eighth Circuit reversed the district court, holding that McDermott’s right to a jury trial was violated. Id Specifically, the Eighth Circuit held that, despite the fact that McDermott distracted the drug-sniffing dog by shouting, yelling profanities, and waving her arms, her conduct did not amount to fighting words outside the protection of the First Amendment. Id.
On remand the second time, the district court conducted a jury trial on McDermott’s § 1983 First Amendment claim. See McDermott v. Royal, 613 F.3d 1192, 1193 (8th Cir. 2010) (hereinafter, McDermott III). The jury returned a verdict in favor of the officers, finding that “McDermott’s protected speech was not a substantial or motivating factor in her arrest and that she was not arrested for mere speech.”
4. Arguable Probable Cause
As described above, genuine issues of material fact preclude finding as a matter of law that the Officers had arguable probable cause to arrest Hoyland.
D. Hoyland’s Malicious Prosecution Claim
Defendants argue that Hoyland’s state law claim for malicious prosecution fails because the Officers acted with arguable probable cause and there is no indication of malice in their arrest of Hoyland. (See Defs.’ Mem. in Supp. at 26-28.) Similarly, they allege that because there is no evidence of maliciousness, the Officers are entitled to official immunity and the City of Rosemount (“Rosemount”) is entitled to vicarious official immunity. (See id. at 28-32.) Hoyland contends that the Officers’ malice is apparent by the fact that they lacked even arguable probable cause to arrest him and thus they are not entitled to official immunity. (PL’s Mem. in Opp. at 28-32.)
Malicious prosecution claims are generally disfavored under Minnesota law and thus are “carefully circumscribed.” Bahr v. Cty. of Martin, 771 F.Supp. 970, 979-80 (D.Minn. 1991) (quoting Lundberg v. Scoggins, 335 N.W.2d 235, 236 (Minn. 1983)). Public policy favors prosecutions undertaken in good faith. See Lundberg, 335 N.W.2d at 236. “Under Minnesota law, the tort of malicious prosecution includes four elements. The plaintiff must prove that: (1) the defendant initiated criminal proceedings (2) without probable cause and (3) with malice, and (4) the proceedings terminated in the plaintiffs favor.” Young v. Klass, 776 F.Supp.2d 916, 922 (D.Minn. 2011).
Malice is a state of mind which must be proven as a fact. Allen v. Osco Drug, Inc., 265 N.W.2d 639, 645 (Minn. 1978) (quoting Hanowitz v. Great N. Ry. Co., 122 Minn. 241, 142 N.W. 196, 197 (Minn. 1913)). “[M]alice may be, but need not be, inferred from lack of probable cause.” Id, at 645. Government officials might lack the probable cause necessary to arrest and charge an individual, but not have the malicious state of mind necessary to sustain a claim for malicious prosecution. See Hanowitz, 142 N.W. at 197 (‘Want of probable cause may exist without malice.”).
Hoyland’s only “evidence” of the Officers’ malicious intent is his belief that “no reasonable officer could have believed there was lawful a [sic] basis to arrest [Hoyland],” under the circumstances.
IV. CONCLUSION
Hoyland’s 42 U.S.C. § 1983 unlawful search claim against Coughlin is dismissed by agreement of the parties. Hoyland’s malicious prosecution claim is dismissed because there is no evidence the Officers maliciously charged him with obstruction. However, genuine issues of material fact preclude the Court from granting summary judgment on Hoyland’s § 1983 claims for unreasonable seizure and First Amendment retaliatory arrest.
Y. ORDER
Based on the submissions and the entire file and proceedings herein, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Plaintiffs Motion for Partial Summary Judgment [Doc. No. 22] is DENIED.
2. Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment [Doc. No. 16] is DENIED IN PART AND GRANTED IN PART as follows:
a.Plaintiffs 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim against Defendant Coughlin for unreasonable search (Compl., Count III [Doc. No. 1]) is dismissed with prejudice. Defendant Coughlin is dismissed from the case;
b. Plaintiffs malicious prosecution claim (Compl., Count V) is dismissed with prejudice; and
c. Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment is otherwise denied.
. Hoyland’s evidence was presented through exhibits attached to the Affidavit of Frederick J. Goetz [Doc. No. 25]. Defendants' evidence was presented through exhibits accompanying the Affidavit of Brian Taylor [Doc. No. 18]. Both parties provided similar evidence consisting primarily of the parties’ depositions and videos from the Officers' dashboard cameras and Hoyland’s cellphone. For the sake of brevity, the Court cites to this overlapping evidence as it appears in the Goetz Affidavit. The Court notes when it cites evidence provided in the Taylor Affidavit. Additionally, when any deposition is cited, the pages referenced are those found in the deposition itself, not those assigned by ECF.
.The dashboard cameras in the vehicles of Officers McMenomy, Eckstein, and Coughlin were all included as Exhibit 1 to the Goetz Affidavit. No video or audio evidence from Officer Cho’s squad was produced by either
. Unbeknownst to the Officers at the time, the house at which the Corvette stopped was the residence of Plaintiff Hoyland and his wife, Christina Hoyland, (See Goetz Aff., Ex, 3 ("B, Hoyland Depo.”) at 5-6 [Doc. No. 25-3].)
. The video evidence shows that Illetschko wás searched and in handcuffs, standing with Coughlin next to the squad cars, when Hoy-land emerged from the house, (See Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:46:58-1:47:26, Coughlin at 00:47:25-00:48:09.) Coughlin placed Illetschko in the back of a squad car while McMenomy and Cho moved in to arrest Hoyland. (See Dashboard Videos, McMenomy at 1:46:58-1:47:26, Coughlin at 00:48:00-21). Defendants agree that Hoyland's emergence from the house did not prevent or otherwise interfere with Coughlin's ability to detain Il-letschko. (See Coughlin Depo. at 50; McMenomy Depo. at 59-60; Eckstein Depo. at 39-40.)
. Christina suffers from paralysis in one of her legs that limits her mobility. (See C. Hoy-land Depo. at 16; B. Hoyland Depo. at 47-48.)
. Hoyland’s Cellphone Video is approximately one minute and fifteen seconds long. Since the video contains no time stamps, the Court cites to specific time periods (e.g., 00:50-1:01).
. McMenomy believes Cho made this statement. (McMenomy Depo. at 104.) However, Cho does not remember whether he ordered Hoyland to drop the camera. (Cho. Depo. at 64-65.)
. It is not entirely clear how or when McMen-omy’s instructions to Hoyland changed from suggestions to orders. (See McMenomy Depo. at 91-92 (describing the difference being the “actual words [he] used,” first suggesting Hoyland “go back inside" and then ordering that Hoyland “stay inside”).)
. It is not clear from the video which Officer spoke with Hoyland at this time.
. Except for a brief moment when Hoyland first emerged from the house, Eckstein's attention remained on Christina. (Eckstein Depo. at 40.) However, Defendants now point to a statement by Eckstein to Hoyland explaining that he could not hear what Christina was saying because of Hoyland’s conduct, implying that this constituted an interference with- Eckstein’s duties. (See Defs.' Mem. in Opp. at 8, n.2 [Doc. No. 32] (citing Dashboard Videos, Eckstein at 2:33:10-2:34:40.).)
. Hoyland served for a time as a military police officer. (B. Hoyland Depo. at 12, 14-15.)
. Defendants refer to Hoyland's deposition ' where he comments on a portion of his cellphone video where he says, "Get over here and do your job the right way!” (See B. Hoy-land Depo. at 86-87; Cellphone Video at 00:28-34.) Hoyland testified that he made that statement because he "wanted [Cho] to go and intercede because the two officers who were initially handling the situation, looked to me to be unsure and inexperienced.” (B. Hoy-land Depo. at 86-87.)
. This discussion took place off camera and thus the Court' cannot say with certainty which Officer made these statements.
. The Court cites to the page numbers as they appear within this document, not to the ECF page numbers.
.Hoyland initially claimed that Coughlin illegally entered and searched his home without a warrant or circumstances allowing for an exception to the general warrant requirement. (Compl., Count III at ¶¶ 44-45.) As discussed later, Hoyland does not oppose dismissal of this claim and Coughlin as a defendant.
. Courts may address the prongs of the qualified immunity analysis in whatever order they deem appropriate based on the circumstances of the case. Pearson v. Callahan, 555 U.S. 223, 236, 129 S.Ct. 808, 172 L.Ed.2d 565 (2009).
. Defendants’ attempt to characterize the right at issue as the right to “insert [oneself] within 30 feet of a high risk stop,” and "converse with officers while conducting a traffic stop,” misunderstands Hoyland’s claim. Hoy-land's § 1983 unreasonable seizure claim plainly alleges that his Fourth Amendment right to be free from unlawful arrest was violated when the Officers arrested him for obstruction of legal process without arguable probable cause. (Compl., Count I at ¶ 36.)
.Qualified immunity is a question of law for the Court, not an issue for the jury. See Littrell v. Franklin, 388 F.3d 578, 584 (8th Cir. 2004). "The issue of qualified immunily, however, is frequently intertwined with unresolved factual questions.” Id. at 585, Under such circumstances, a court may put specific factual interrogatories to the, juty and then rely upon the jury’s factual findings to make a qualified immunity ruling. Id.
. To be clear, the Officers did not have probable cause to arrest Hoyland for obstruction. This was decided by Judge Perkkio when she dismissed the criminal charge against Hoy-land. Defendants will not be allowed to argue that the Officers actually had probable cause at trial. The focus will be on whether the Officers' mistaken belief théy had probable cause to arrest Hoyland for obstruction was objectively reasonable (i.e,, if the Officers had arguable probable cause).
. Hoyland construes the case law to require that “some physical act that interferes or obstructs an officer in the performance of their official duties must accompany verbal conduct that is not ‘fighting words’ ,... ” (See Pl.’s Mem. in Opp. at 13-14.) The Court disagrees, The Minnesota Supreme Court in Krawsky plainly stated that the obstruction statute "may be used to punish ‘fighting words’ or any other words that by themselves have the effect of physically obstructing or interfering with a police officer in 'the performance of his duties ....” 426 N.W.2d at 877 (emphasis added).
. Since the First Amendment affords citizens the right to criticize police conduct, it logically also protects their ability to inform officers of important information related to the officers' duties and public safety — like Hoyland’s attempt to notify the Officers of his wife’s disability.
. The district court went on to find that the obstruction ordinance McDermott was prose
. Hoyland also contends that the fact Eck-stein issued him the citation on the basis of what he was told by the other Officers, not because of what Eckstein himself witnessed,
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Brian Thomas HOYLAND v. Shawn MCMENOMY, Henry Cho, Alex Eckstein, and Ryan Coughlin, and the City of Rosemount
- Cited By
- 3 cases
- Status
- Published