Hagans v. Cruezot
Hagans v. Cruezot
Opinion
No. 99-10763 -1-
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 99-10763 Conference Calendar
ALLAND LEE HAGANS,
Plaintiff-Appellant,
versus
CRUEZOT, Judge,
Defendant-Appellee.
-------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas USDC No. 3:98-CV-1689-G -------------------- February 16, 2000
Before EMILIO M. GARZA, BENAVIDES, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Alland Lee Hagans, Texas inmate #795232, challenges the
district court’s refusal to grant in forma pauperis (IFP) status
on appeal based upon its determination that the appeal was not
taken in good faith. See Baugh v. Taylor,
117 F.3d 197, 202(5th
Cir. 1997). Hagans contends that his
42 U.S.C. § 1983complaint
challenged the constitutionality of a Dallas County policy, which
allows the appointment of visiting judges to try cases.
Hagans does not challenge the district court’s conclusion
that his claims for monetary damages against Judge Cruezot are
* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4. No. 99-10763 -2-
barred by the doctrine of absolute immunity, and any challenge to
this dismissal would be frivolous. See Krueger v. Reimer,
66 F.3d 75, 76-77(5th Cir. 1995)(judges are absolutely immune from
damages for acts performed in the exercise of judicial
functions); Brinkmann v. Dallas County Deputy Sheriff Abner,
813 F.2d 744, 748(5th Cir. 1987)(when appellant fails to identify
error in district court's analysis, it is the same as if the
appellant had not appealed that judgment). Hagans’ claims under
§ 1983 concerning the constitutionality of his conviction have
not yet accrued. See Heck v. Humphrey,
512 U.S. 477, 487, 489(1994).
Hagans has not shown that he will present a nonfrivolous
issue on appeal and that the district court erred in certifying
that his appeal was not taken in good faith. See Baugh,
117 F.3d at 202; Howard v. King,
707 F.2d 215, 220(5th Cir. 1983)(the
inquiry into appellant’s good faith is limited to whether the
appeal involves legal points arguable on their merits which are
not frivolous). Accordingly, we uphold the district court’s
certification decision and sua sponte DISMISS Hagans’ appeal as
FRIVOLOUS. See Baugh,
117 F.3d at 202n.24; 5th Cir. R. 42.2.
The district court’s dismissal as frivolous and the
dismissal of this appeal as frivolous count as strikes for
purposes of
28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Adepegba v. Hammons,
103 F.3d 383, 388(5th Cir. 1996)(both the dismissal in the district court
as frivolous and the separate dismissal of the appeal count as
strikes). We caution Hagans that once he accumulates three
strikes, he may not proceed IFP in any civil action or appeal No. 99-10763 -3-
filed while he is incarcerated or detained in any facility unless
he is under imminent danger of serious physical injury. See
28 U.S.C. § 1915(g).
IFP DENIED; APPEAL DISMISSED AS FRIVOLOUS;
28 U.S.C. § 1915(g) WARNING ISSUED.
Reference
- Status
- Unpublished