Filed: Feb. 03, 2010
Latest Update: Feb. 21, 2020
Summary: FILED United States Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit February 3, 2010 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS Elisabeth A. Shumaker Clerk of Court TENTH CIRCUIT DANA LYDELL SMITH, Plaintiiff - Appellant, No. 09-4155 v. (D. Utah) STATE OF IDAHO; GOVERNOR (D.C. No. 2:08-CV-00445-TC) STATE OF IDAHO; ATTORNEY FOR GOVERNOR STATE OF IDAHO; ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF IDAHO; MINIDOKA COUNTY, IDAHO, the Sheriff’s Office and County Officials; MINI- CASSIA PUBLIC DEFENDERS, State of Idaho; IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF C
Summary: FILED United States Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit February 3, 2010 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS Elisabeth A. Shumaker Clerk of Court TENTH CIRCUIT DANA LYDELL SMITH, Plaintiiff - Appellant, No. 09-4155 v. (D. Utah) STATE OF IDAHO; GOVERNOR (D.C. No. 2:08-CV-00445-TC) STATE OF IDAHO; ATTORNEY FOR GOVERNOR STATE OF IDAHO; ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF IDAHO; MINIDOKA COUNTY, IDAHO, the Sheriff’s Office and County Officials; MINI- CASSIA PUBLIC DEFENDERS, State of Idaho; IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF CO..
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FILED
United States Court of Appeals
Tenth Circuit
February 3, 2010
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
Elisabeth A. Shumaker
Clerk of Court
TENTH CIRCUIT
DANA LYDELL SMITH,
Plaintiiff - Appellant, No. 09-4155
v. (D. Utah)
STATE OF IDAHO; GOVERNOR (D.C. No. 2:08-CV-00445-TC)
STATE OF IDAHO; ATTORNEY
FOR GOVERNOR STATE OF
IDAHO; ATTORNEY GENERAL OF
THE STATE OF IDAHO; MINIDOKA
COUNTY, IDAHO, the Sheriff’s
Office and County Officials; MINI-
CASSIA PUBLIC DEFENDERS, State
of Idaho; IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS; MATT ELSON,
Detective, West Valley City Police
Department, Utah; JAMES WRIGHT,
Lieutenant, West Valley City Police
Department, Utah; RANDY WHITE,
Chief of Police, Rupert City, Idaho;
DAN PRICE, Owner/Investigator of
Payless Car Sales; DENNIS JAMES,
Owner/Investigator of Payless Car
sales; JASON D. WALKER,
Prosecuting Attorney, Minidoka
County, State of Idaho; NICOLE
CANON, Prosecuting Attorney,
Minidoka County, State of Idaho;
STAN HOLLOWAY, Prosecuting
Attorney, Minidoka County, State of
Idaho; MATILDA ORTIZ,
Presentence Investigator; RUPERT
CITY IDAHO MAYOR; JOSHUA
JOHNSTON,
Defendants - Appellees.
ORDER AND JUDGMENT *
Before HARTZ, ANDERSON, and TYMKOVICH, Circuit Judges.
Dana Lydell Smith appeals the dismissal of his civil-rights claims under
42 U.S.C. § 1983. The United States District Court for the District of Utah ruled
that Smith’s claim for damages must be dismissed under the doctrine set forth in
Heck v. Humphrey,
512 U.S. 477 (1994); venue was improper in Utah; and the
complaint did not allege sufficient facts to justify injunctive relief. We affirm.
On appeal Mr. Smith does not argue that his claim can survive the Heck
doctrine. Instead, he asks us to reject the doctrine. For example, he states: “The
Question which is now asserted by this Appellant is Does the Ruling by the
Supreme Court Violate, the initial Foundation and statute by Dismissing the cases
Put before the Courts when an [sic] Prisoner is suing Parties for Damages and that
suit would Render the underlying conviction Moot.” Aplt. Br. at 10. The
conclusion of his brief states in part: “The Heck Bar and other case law which is
*
After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined
unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of
this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2); 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is
therefore ordered submitted without oral argument. This order and judgment is
not binding precedent except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata,
and collateral estoppel. It may be cited, however, for its persuasive value
consistent with Fed. R. App. P. 32.1 and 10th Cir. R. 32.1.
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in direct contradiction to the Civil Rights Act must be changed to uphold the
integrity of the Constitution.”
Id. at 15. Of course, we cannot overrule the
Supreme Court’s decision. We therefore affirm the district court’s ruling under
Heck.
To the extent that Mr. Smith’s claim for injunctive relief is not barred by
Heck, we AFFIRM the district court’s ruling dismissing that claim for
substantially the reasons set forth by the district court. We grant Mr. Smith’s
motion to proceed in forma pauperis and remind him to continue making
payments until all his fees are paid in full.
ENTERED FOR THE COURT
Harris L Hartz
Circuit Judge
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