Pearson v. Cushwa
Opinion
Demetric Pearson appeals the district court’s order denying relief on his civil rights complaint. On appeal, Pearson challenges only the denial of relief with respect to his claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12213 (2000). We have reviewed the record and find no reversible error. *159 Accordingly, we affirm the district court’s order on the ground that Pearson failed to state a claim under the ADA. * See Pearson v. Cushwa, No. CA-03-1603-RDB (D.Md. Dec. 20, 2004). We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.
AFFIRMED.
The district court dismissed Pearson’s ADA claim based on Eleventh Amendment immunity and did not reach the merits of the claim. However, in Constantine v. Rectors & Visitors of George Mason Univ., 411 F.3d 474 (4th Cir. 2005), this court ruled that Congress effectively and intentionally abrogated the States’ Eleventh Amendment immunity from suit under Title II of the ADA. Thus, the Eleventh Amendment did not bar Pearson from bringing suit against Maryland prison officials. Nevertheless, because Pearson did not state a claim under the ADA, summary judgment for the Defendants was proper. We offer no criticism of the district judge, who resolved this issue without the benefit of our decision in Constantine.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Demetric Gray PEARSON, Plaintiff—Appellant, v. Patricia K. CUSHWA, Chairperson of Parole and Probation; William Sondervan, Defendants—Appellees
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Unpublished