Brown v. Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System
Brown v. Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System
Opinion
Gregory Brown, Louisiana prisoner # 103764, proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis (IFP), appeals the dismissal of his civil rights suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The district court dismissed Brown’s § 1983 complaint without prejudice finding that it was barred by Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 114 S.Ct. 2364, 129 L.Ed.2d 383 (1994). The district court further concluded that Brown’s complaint could not be construed as a habeas petition because it was not filed in the right district as provided by 28 U.S.C. § 2241(d).
On appeal, Brown does not challenge the district court’s dismissal of his civil rights complaint as barred by Heck. Rather, he argues the merits of his claim that he was unconstitutionally confined in a state men *484 tal facility. Although pro se briefs are afforded liberal construction, even pro se litigants must brief arguments in order to preserve them. See Yohey v. Collins, 985 F.2d 222, 224-25 (5th Cir. 1993). By failing to identify any error in the district court’s judgment, Brown has abandoned the issue on appeal. Id. at 225.
Brown’s appeal is without arguable merit and is dismissed as frivolous. See 5th Cir. R. 42.2; Howard v. King, 707 F.2d 215, 219-20 (5th Cir. 1983). The dismissal of the instant appeal as frivolous counts as a strike under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). See Adepegba v. Hammons, 103 F.3d 383, 387-88 (5th Cir. 1996). Brown is cautioned that if he accumulates three strikes under § 1915(g), he will not be able to proceed IFP in any civil action or appeal filed while he is incarcerated or detained in any facility unless he is under imminent danger of serious physical injury. See § 1915(g).
APPEAL DISMISSED AS FRIVOLOUS; SANCTION WARNING ISSUED.
Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.