Hamilton v. Simpson
Hamilton v. Simpson
Opinion of the Court
ORDER
This pro se federal prisoner appeals a district court judgment dismissing his civil complaint as frivolous. This case has been referred to a panel of the court pursuant to Rule 34(j)(1), Rules of the Sixth Circuit. Upon examination, this panel unanimously agrees that oral argument is not needed. Fed. R.App. P. 34(a).
Seeking to have criminal charges levied against the defendants, to be “cleared of [criminal] charges,” “punitive” relief, and the return of his “good name,” Raymond P. Hamilton sued the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky (The Honorable Charles R. Simpson III), and a magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky (James D. Moyer). Hamilton claimed that the district court and magistrate judge lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the criminal charges against him.
The district court sua sponte dismissed the complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. The district court also denied Hamilton leave to proceed in forma pau-peris pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), inasmuch as Hamilton had prosecuted at least four prior civil actions which had been dismissed as being frivolous or for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. In turn, Hamilton paid the requisite filing fee. On appeal, Hamilton essentially reasserts the claims that he set forth in the district court.
This court reviews de novo a judgment dismissing a suit as frivolous or for failure to state a claim under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1). McGore v. Wrigglesworth, 114 F.3d 601, 604 (6th Cir. 1997). A suit may be dismissed as frivolous only when the plaintiff fails to present any claim with an arguable or rational basis in law or fact. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325, 109 S.Ct. 1827, 104 L.Ed.2d 338 (1989); Lawler v. Marshall, 898 F.2d 1196, 1198 (6th Cir. 1990). Claims that lack an arguable or rational basis in law include claims for which the defendants are clearly entitled to immunity and claims of infringement of a legal interest which clearly does not exist; claims that lack an arguable or rational basis in fact describe fantastic or delusional scenarios. Neitzke, 490 U.S. at 327-28, 109 S.Ct. 1827; Lawler, 898 F.2d at 1199.
The district court properly dismissed Hamilton’s complaint as frivolous because his claims lack an arguable or rational basis in law inasmuch as the defendants are clearly entitled to immunity. A judge performing his or her judicial function is absolutely immune from suit seeking monetary damages. Mireles v. Waco, 502 U.S. 9, 9-10, 112 S.Ct. 286, 116
Accordingly, we hereby affirm the district court’s judgment pursuant to Rule 34(j)(2)(C), Rules of the Sixth Circuit.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Raymond P. HAMILTON v. Charles R. SIMPSON III, Chief Judge, James D. Moyer, Magistrate Judge
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published