Correctional Psychiatry II - Litigation/Rights Flashcards
In former pauperis
“In the manner of a pauper”
In pleadings, right to sue w/o assuming costs or formalities of pleading
Sua Sponte
“of one’s self”
Court’s acting of own volition, w/o motion being made by either parties
Consent decree
Recorded agreement of parties to a lawsuit concerning the form that the judgment should take
Magistrate judge
Judge w/ jurisdiction over federal 42 USC 1983 claims w/ consent of both parties
Special master
Often appointed in prison condition cases to oversee court-mandated remedial measures
Main Mech for Litigation in a Correctional Setting
Claims filed in federal court under federal civil rights statute 42 USC 1983
Bivens Actions
Federal equivalent to 42 USC Section 1983 claims (that one that applies to violations occurring under state law, Bivens Action can be brought against federal official)
Tort State v. Federal
Bc tort typically only seeks damages, filed in state court unless it involves a federal institution
When Habeas Corpus Pursued
Inmates/committed pts who have exhausted state remedies but feels some constitutional issue exists to challenge their conviction or loss of good time credits
Habeas Corpus Financial Damages
None awarded
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) of 1980 (2)
- Authorizes US AG to bring suit on behalf of US to target “egregious or flagrant” unconstitutional conditions in state/local correctional facility, causing “grievous harm” or violating constitution
- AG also can intervene in civil rights suits brought by inmates involving such conditions
Prisoner Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) of 1996 (Gen Purpose, Scope, and Mechanism)
Law passed to discourage frivolous inmate lawsuits, applying to all inmate claims under $1983.
- Imposes severe restrictions on ability of prisoners to file civil litigation
Prisoner Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) of 1996 9 Specific Restrictions
- Establishes mechanism for collecting filing fee from prisoners unable to pay; if can’t pay full fee, then monthly installments
- Court screens complaint with expanded sua sponte dismissal ability
- Doesn’t allow Section 1983 claim until all administrative remedies available exhausted
- Prevents court awarding atty’s fees to plaintiff’s counsel in settled cases w/o violation of fed law
- Prevents any relief absent violation of fed law, discouraging consent decrees
- Placed restrictions on nonmonetary relief in conditions of confinement cases
- If 3 cases dismissed frivolous/malicious, barred from free filings (3 strikes and out)
- Addended Fed Tort Claims Act to require documented physical injury to establish presence of emotional injury for tort
- For civ action in Fed Court, appoints special master with limited compensation who gives objective report/regard public safety with compensation limit
4 Complaint Characteristics that Court Might Dismiss Sua Sponte Under PLRA
Frivolous
Malicious
Fails to state claim for which relief granted
Seeks damages from defendant immune from damages
Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996
Limits ability of inmates to file successive habeas corpus claims to speed up federal proceedings