AMOS L. MAZZANT, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Came on for consideration the report and recommendation of the United States Magistrate Judge in this action, this matter having been heretofore referred to the Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636. On August 21, 2015, the report of the Magistrate Judge was entered containing proposed findings of fact and recommendations that Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkts. # 70-75) be granted, and Plaintiffs' claims be dismissed with prejudice. Having received the report and recommendation of the Magistrate Judge (Dkt. # 91), having considered Plaintiff's timely filed objections (Dkt. # 94), and having conducted a de novo review, the Court is of the opinion that the findings and conclusions of the Magistrate Judge are correct and hereby adopts the Magistrate Judge's report (Dkt. # 91) as the findings and conclusions of the Court.
The facts in this case originate from a child sex offender residency restriction ordinance (the "Ordinance"), enacted by Defendant City of Lewisville, Texas (the "City"), its application to Plaintiff Aurelio Duarte ("A. Duarte") and, by extension, its effects on A. Duarte's wife, Wynjean Duarte ("W. Duarte"), and children ("S.D." and "B.D."). The facts are set out in detail by the Magistrate Judge, and need not be repeated herein (see Dkt. # 91). In summary, A. Duarte is a convicted child sex offender and is required to register with the Texas Department of Public Safety's Sex Offender Database (the "Database") because of his conviction involving a minor; thus, Plaintiff is prohibited by the City's Ordinance from residing in the City "within 1,500 feet of any premises where children commonly gather," subject to a number of affirmative defenses (Dkt. # 70, Exs. 1, 3; Dkt. # 1 at 3, ¶ A). Plaintiffs' Complaint is comprised of two sets of claims: (1) claims asserted by Plaintiff A. Duarte himself, and (2) claims asserted by W. Duarte, S.D., and B.D. (the "Duarte Family") (Dkt. # 1 at 7, 9, 10). Plaintiffs assert that the imposition of a child predator buffer zone, or a restriction on where persons required to register on the Database because of convictions regarding a minor, may live in relation to "premises where children commonly gather," is a violation of the rights afforded them by and/or through the United States Constitution. Id.
The procedural posture of this case is lengthy, and is fully recited by the Magistrate Judge (Dkt. # 91 at 9-10). The Court will describe only those procedural events related to the instant motion and occurring since the Magistrate Judge's report and recommendation was entered. On June 5, 2015, the City filed its Motion for Summary Judgment and Brief in Support (Dkt. # 70-75) seeking summary judgment on all claims. On July 7, 2015, Plaintiffs filed their response (Dkt. # 84), and on July 17, 2015, the City filed its reply (Dkt. # 89). On August 21, 2015, after a thorough analysis of Plaintiffs' claims and the parties' summary judgment arguments, the Magistrate Judge entered
On September 4, 2015, Plaintiffs timely filed their Written Objections to Magistrate's Findings, Conclusions, Report and Recommendation on Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. # 94). Plaintiffs make essentially two objections to the report and recommendation of the Magistrate Judge: (1) A. Duarte objects to the Magistrate Judge's finding that the Ordinance does not deprive him of equal protection in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment; and (2) all Plaintiffs argue that they have been deprived of procedural due process under the Fourteenth Amendment by application and enforcement of the Ordinance, and that they hold a "liberty interest" in residing together with immediate family within the areas of the City that are prohibited by the Ordinance (Dkt. # 91 at 34; Dkt. # 94 at 2-3). Notably, Plaintiff specifically states in his objections, "A. Duarte confines his objections, in this response to the Magistrate's report, to the claims stated above, denial of procedural Due Process and Equal Protection, and hereby abandons all other claims" (Dkt. # 94 at 3). Accordingly, the report and recommendation of the Magistrate Judge is hereby adopted regarding A. Duarte's claims for violations of the Ex Post Facto Clause, the Double Jeopardy Clause, and his civil rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and the Court finds these claims should be dismissed with prejudice. The Court will now consider Plaintiffs' objections related to the equal protection and procedural due process claims in turn.
A. Duarte asserts that the Ordinance deprives him of his constitutional right to Equal Protection of Law in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution (Dkt. # 1 at 12; Dkt. # 91 at 29). A. Duarte asserts that the Ordinance places persons into two classes, both of which involve persons who are required to register as child sex offenders under Texas law (Dkt. # 84 at 16; Dkt. # 91 at 30). The first class of individuals (which includes A. Duarte) is comprised of child sex offenders who are not on community supervision and are subject to the residency restrictions in the Ordinance. Id. The second class encompasses sex offenders who at the time the Ordinance went into effect were on community supervision and were judicially relieved from compliance with the one-thousand (1,000) foot residency restriction otherwise required as a condition of their supervision under Section 13B of Article 42.12 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure (which will be discussed in greater detail infra). Id. Individuals in the second class are not required to comply with the residency restrictions under one of the six (6) affirmative defenses available in the Ordinance (Dkt. # 70, Ex. 1 at 4-5; Dkt. # 91 at 30). A. Duarte argues that the imposition of the residency restriction on him, but not the second class of sex offenders, deprives
The Magistrate Judge first analyzed whether the Ordinance involves a suspect class or a fundamental right in order to determine which judicial scrutiny test is appropriate to use, and found that sex offenders and/or persons included on the Texas sex offender registry are not a suspect class (Dkt. # 91 at 30-31 (citing Stauffer v. Gearhart, 741 F.3d 574, 587 (5th Cir.2014))). The Magistrate Judge further found that, although A. Duarte argued that he has a fundamental right to live where he wishes and that the Ordinance constitutes a direct regulation on family affairs and/or his right to associate, no fundamental right is implicated by the Ordinance. Id. at 31-34. Accordingly, the Magistrate Judge applied the rational basis test stating that "the Ordinance will be upheld as long as it is rationally related to a legitimate government purpose." (Dkt. # 91 at 34 (citing Hines v. Alldredge, 783 F.3d 197, 202-03 (5th Cir.2015)). The Magistrate Judge found that there is a conceivable set of facts that provides a rational basis for the imposition of the Ordinance, and recommended that A. Duarte's equal protection claim be dismissed. Id.
A. Duarte does not object to the Magistrate Judge's finding that the Ordinance should be analyzed using the "more deferential" rational basis test (Dkt. # 94 at 13). Accordingly, the Court focuses on A. Duarte's argument that the Magistrate Judge failed to properly analyze — under the test set forth in Cleburne v. Cleburne Living Center, Inc., 473 U.S. 432, 441, 105 S.Ct. 3249, 87 L.Ed.2d 313 (1985) — whether "A. Duarte (Class [1]) has a `distinguishing characteristic,' in relation to those exempted by the [Ordinance] (Class [2]), that is `relevant to interests the State has the authority to implement'" (Dkt. # 94 at 13).
As an initial matter, the "test" advocated by A. Duarte is not the test described by the Supreme Court in Cleburne, and the quotes and citations from Cleburne are somewhat taken out of context.
This is the proper test; the Magistrate Judge undertook such an analysis here. The Magistrate Judge first determined whether any fundamental rights or suspect classifications were implicated by the Ordinance. Finding none, the Magistrate Judge assessed whether the Ordinance was "rationally related to a legitimate government purpose" (See Dkt. # 91 at 34). "As long as there is a conceivable rational basis for the official action, it is immaterial that it was not the or a primary factor in reaching a decision or that it was not actually relied upon by the decision makers or that some other nonsuspect irrational factors may have been considered." Reid v. Rolling Fork PUD, 854 F.2d 751, 754 (5th Cir.1988) (emphasis in original). The Magistrate Judge concluded that A. Duarte failed to demonstrate that there is no conceivable basis for the official action taken by the Ordinance, and further found that the Ordinance rationally advanced the government's interest in protecting children from the risk of recidivism among child sex offenders (Dkt. # 91 at 24-25, 34). This Court agrees. Federal courts have consistently found that legislatures have a clear, compelling interest in protecting children from recidivist sex offenders, and there is a rational connection between prohibiting convicted child sex offenders from living within 1,500 feet of places where children commonly gather and the nonpunitive goal of protecting children from recidivist sex offenders.
A. Duarte's argument that the Ordinance further divides sex offenders into two classifications is false. The Ordinance requires all convicted child sex offenders who must register on the Database to comply with the 1,500 residency restriction; however, the Ordinance offers an affirmative defense for those child sex offenders who are currently on community supervision and the imposition of the required 1,000 foot restriction from places where children commonly gather has either been reduced or waived by the state court. See TEX. CODE OF CRIM. P., Art. 42.12, Sec. 13B. Notably, the waiver of this restriction must be raised and determined before the trial court presiding over the community supervision.
In addition, A. Duarte objects that the Magistrate Judge concluded there is no disparate treatment regarding the application of the Ordinance because the affirmative defense available to the first class of registrants does not depend on "individualized findings of dangerousness." (Dkt. # 94 at 14). A. Duarte states that the availability of the affirmative defense "clear[ly]" depends on judicial findings that a "child safety zone" is not "necessary to protect the public, given the nature and circumstances of the offense" (Dkt. # 94 at 14). As previously enumerated (see n. 4), there are a variety of scenarios in which the 1,000 foot "child safety zone" can be waived or modified by a state court, and only one of those involves a court making a determination that the "child safety zone" is not necessary to protect the public under the particular circumstances of the offense. Plaintiff's objection to the conclusion of the Magistrate Judge that the Ordinance's affirmative defenses do not require "individualized findings of dangerousness" is overruled.
A. Duarte further objects that the Magistrate Judge erroneously relied on the
As set forth in his summary judgment response brief, A. Duarte's procedural due process argument is that the Due Process Clause entitles him to notice and a hearing prior to the imposition of the Ordinance because he has been fully discharged from his sentence for conviction of a sex offense, he is neither on community supervision or parole, and he was deprived of the right to show that he, as an individual, is not dangerous to the community (Dkt. # 84 at 26-27; Dkt. # 91 at 36). As noted by the Magistrate Judge, A. Duarte asserted only a procedural due process claim (expressly disclaiming a substantive claim), and postured that such claim could be resolved by determining whether he has a fundamental right to live where he wishes to live (Dkt. # 91 at 36).
The Magistrate Judge found that "to the extent that A. Duarte's argument is that the application of the Ordinance to him deprives him of a fundamental right — the right to live where he wishes to live — without notice and a hearing, this argument fails" (Dkt. # 91 at 37). The Magistrate Judge found that there is no such fundamental right, and the Court agrees (Dkt. # 91 at 31-32). The Magistrate Judge explained:
Id. at 32. The Magistrate Judge continued to find that the Ordinance applies to all child sex offenders required to register on the Database, and that the affirmative defenses do not allow individualized findings
In his objections, A. Duarte modifies his contention and now argues that the Magistrate Judge must apply a three-factor test set forth in Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319, 96 S.Ct. 893, 47 L.Ed.2d 18 (1976), to determine "what process he is due;" not whether he has a fundamental right that was implicated by the Ordinance (Dkt. # 94 at 4). The test that must be applied (according to A. Duarte) requires the Court to identify:
(Dkt. # 94 at 5 (citing Mathews, 424 U.S. at 335, 96 S.Ct. 893)).
After a review of the case law cited by the Parties, and also the recent Supreme Court decision, Kerry v. Din, ___ U.S. ___, 135 S.Ct. 2128, 192 L.Ed.2d 183 (2015), the Court finds that the three-factor test cited by A. Duarte is inapplicable to the present case and need not be considered by this Court in its ruling. The Due Process Clause "provides that `[n]o person shall be ... deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.'" Id. at 2132. "Although the amount and quality of process that [the Supreme Court's] precedents have recognized as `due' under the Clause has changed considerably since the founding, [] it remains the case that no process is due if one is not deprived of `life, liberty, or property." Id. (internal citations omitted) (emphasis in original). Thus, the first question that the Court must ask is whether the Ordinance deprives A. Duarte of any of these interests. Id.
There can be no legitimate argument (and none has been made) that A. Duarte has been deprived of a life or property interest as these rights are described both historically and in case law precedent. Id. at 2133. And it is precisely this fact that makes the Supreme Court's decision and its three-factor test in Mathews, which is relied on heavily by A. Duarte, inapplicable to the present decision before the Court. 424 U.S. at 333-34, 96 S.Ct. 893.
The Magistrate Judge found that neither A. Duarte (nor any other Plaintiff) has such a liberty interest (See Dkt. # 91 at 32 and supra at p. 10). The Magistrate Judge's conclusion is well supported as courts have repeatedly rejected Plaintiffs' contention that there is a right to choose one's place of residence, a right to reside in a certain place, and/or a right to reside with family members. Id. This conclusion is further buttressed by the Supreme Court's recent holding in Din. 135 S.Ct. at 2133-34. Therein, the Supreme Court was asked to consider whether the denial of Din's husband's visa application without notice and a hearing was a violation of due process. Id. The Supreme Court found that "[b]ecause extending constitutional protection to an asserted right or liberty interest... place[s] the matter outside the arena of public debate and legislative action, and because the guideposts for responsible decisionmaking in this unchartered area are scarce and open-ended, [t]he doctrine of judicial self-restraint requires us to exercise the utmost care whenever we are asked to break new ground in this field." Id. at 2134 (internal quotations and citations omitted). "Before conferring constitutional status upon a previously unrecognized `liberty,'" for which A. Duarte has not asked, argued, and/or offered case law in support, the Supreme Court requires "a careful description of the asserted fundamental liberty interest, as well as a demonstration that the interest is objectively, deeply rooted in this Nation's history and tradition, and implicit in the concept of ordered liberty, such that neither liberty nor justice would exist if [it was] sacrificed." Id. (internal quotations and citations omitted). A. Duarte offers no evidence or analysis that his asserted "liberty interest" — residing as a family in the City in areas in which he is prohibited from living by the Ordinance — is a liberty interest that is "objectively, deeply rooted" in our history or so implicit in our concept of liberty, "such that neither liberty nor justice would exist if [it was] sacrificed." Id. The Ordinance may, indeed, deprive A. Duarte of "something `important,' but if that is the criteria for... [] procedural due process, we are in for quite a ride." Id. at 2138. Such a liberty interest does not exist, and Plaintiff's objection on this ground is overruled.
A. Duarte also objects to the Magistrate Judge's reliance on the number of available
A. Duarte also objects to the Magistrate Judge's reliance on "decisional law that involves the scope of liberty enjoyed by confined prisoners, parolees and persons on community supervision" (Dkt. # 94 at 7). Plaintiff contends that he has fully discharged his criminal sentence, is no longer confined or on community supervision, and is entitled to the full scope of liberty enjoyed by others similarly situated. Id. This statement is not entirely accurate, as A. Duarte is still a convicted felon, and, as noted by the Magistrate Judge, "convicted felons are properly subjected to many restrictions on their constitutional rights which would be objectionable if imposed on non-felons." (Dkt. # 91 at 38 n. 25 (citing Jones v. Helms, 452 U.S. 412, 420-22, 101 S.Ct. 2434, 69 L.Ed.2d 118 (1981); Doe v. Petro, No. 1:05-cv-125, 2005 WL 1038846, at *1 (S.D.Ohio Oct. 24, 2006)). However, the Court has determined A. Duarte's asserted liberty interest is not one that is entitled to constitutional protection for A. Duarte or anyone similarly situated.
A. Duarte further asserts that the Magistrate Judge ignored the difference between sex offender "registration" statutes and sex offender "residency" statutes, and thus, ignored the greater intrusion that the residency restriction imposes on A. Duarte (Dkt. # 94 at 7). This is incorrect.
A. Duarte also objects to the Magistrate Judge's finding that Moore v. City of East Cleveland, 431 U.S. 494, 97 S.Ct. 1932, 52 L.Ed.2d 531 (1977), another case heavily relied on by Plaintiff, is inapposite to the present case (Dkt. # 94 at 7-8). A. Duarte cites Moore for the proposition that the Ordinance is unconstitutional because it "not only `regulates,' but actually forbids Plaintiff A. Duarte from residing, either alone or with the Family Plaintiffs, `in a certain location.'" Id. However, the Court agrees with the Magistrate Judge that Moore is distinguishable from the present case. First, the liberty interests asserted here versus those asserted in Moore are vastly different. In Moore, the ordinance in question "selects certain categories
A. Duarte again objects that the Magistrate Judge erroneously relied on the assignment of a "moderate" risk level to A. Duarte when finding that A. Duarte's procedural due process claim be dismissed (Dkt. # 94 at 9). Contrary to A. Duarte's assertion, the Magistrate Judge did not rely on A. Duarte's risk level in making its procedural due process finding, and Plaintiff's objection is overruled.
The Duarte Family contends that they hold a constitutionally protected liberty interest in residing together as a family with A. Duarte within the areas in which A. Duarte is prohibited by the Ordinance from residing, i.e., within the buffer zone (Dkt. # 94 at 3). The Duarte Family further argues that before they can be deprived of this constitutionally protected liberty interest, they must be afforded procedural due process. Id. The Magistrate Judge fully addressed the Duarte Family's claims, finding that the Duarte Family failed to identify what procedure was due, lacking, and/or inadequate (Dkt. # 91 at 38-40). It is important to note that the Duarte Family members are not convicted child sex offenders, are not required to register on the Database, and are not prohibited from doing anything by the Ordinance.
The Magistrate Judge further found that the Duarte Family does not have a fundamental right and/or liberty interest in residing wherever they want, including within the buffer zone (Dkt. # 91 at 39). As discussed supra, the Magistrate Judge's finding is bolstered by the recent Supreme Court decision in Din, in which the Supreme Court stated "[t]here is a simple distinction between government action that directly affects a citizen's legal rights, or imposes a direct restraint on his liberty, and action that is directed against a third party and affects the citizen only indirectly or incidentally." 135 S.Ct. at 2138. The Supreme Court further found that there is no such constitutional right to live in the United States with a spouse. Id. Again, the first question that the Court
Having considered each of Plaintiffs' timely filed objections (Dkt. # 94), and having conducted a de novo review, the Court is of the opinion that the findings and conclusions of the Magistrate Judge are correct and adopts the Magistrate Judge's report (Dkt. # 91) as the findings and conclusions of the Court.
Accordingly, it is
All relief not previously granted is
Christine A. Nowak, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Now before the Court is Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment and Brief in Support [Dkts. 70-75]. After reviewing the Motion, Response, Reply, and any other relevant filings, the Court recommends that the Motion be
Plaintiffs Aurelio Duarte ("A. Duarte" or "Plaintiff'), Wynjean Duarte ("W. Duarte"), S.D., a minor ("S.D."), and Brandi Duarte ("B.D."), bring this suit alleging that the ordinance entitled "Regulation of Child Predator Offender Residency" (the "Ordinance")
Plaintiffs' Complaint is comprised of two sets of claims: (1) claims by Plaintiff A. Duarte himself, and (2) claims by W. Duarte, S.D. and B.D. (the "Duarte Family") [Dkt. 1 at 7, 9, 10]. The claims are considered herein in this order. Defendant is a municipal corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas situated in Denton County, Texas, and is a
In 2004, Plaintiff A. Duarte was indicted by a Dallas County Grand Jury for the third degree felony offense of Online Solicitation of a Minor, in violation of Texas Penal Code § 15.031 [Dkt. 70, Ex. 3; Dkt. 1 at 3, ¶ A]. On May 19, 2006, A. Duarte was found guilty of that offense, and was sentenced to eight (8) years confinement in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice ("TDCJ"), and was placed on community supervision for a term of ten (10) years. Id. On May 31, 2007, the State of Texas filed a motion to revoke A. Duarte's probation or proceed with an adjudication of guilt because A. Duarte violated the conditions of his probation [Dkt. 70, Ex. 3, at 13, 15]. On June 5, 2007, A. Duarte's community supervision was revoked by the 282nd District Court of Dallas County, and he was sentenced to a term of confinement of three (3) years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ [Id. at 17; Dkt. 1 at 4, ¶ B]. A. Duarte's sentence to confinement was fully discharged in June of 2010 [Dkt. 1 at 4, ¶ C], and A. Duarte admits that the Ordinance applies to him because he is required to register as a convicted child "Sex Offender" with the Texas Department of Public Safety [Dkt. 1 at 5, ¶ E]. The Duarte Family is not required to register as convicted sex offenders [Dkt. 70 at 33, n. 103].
In May of 2006, A. Duarte was referred to Central Psychological Services for sex offender psychological evaluation and treatment [Dkt. 70, Ex. 16 at 4]. Peter W. Henschel, Ph.D. ("Dr. Henschel"), conducted an evaluation and assessment of A. Duarte and recommended treatment [see generally, Dkt. 70, Ex. 16]. A. Duarte was ultimately discharged from treatment for noncompliance. Id. at 21. The TDCJ has developed risk levels for persons subject to sex offender registration [Dkt. 70 at 7, ¶ 7]. A. Duarte's risk level is currently moderate, and has been since its increase in March of 2009, indicating that he poses a moderate danger to the community and may continue to engage in criminal sexual conduct [Dkt. 70, Ex. 4 at 5-9].
Since his release from prison in June of 2010, A. Duarte is required to annually register in person with the local law enforcement authority where he resides [Dkt. 70, Ex. 4; Ex. 5; Ex. 6 (2012 deposition) at 131:19-21]. The registration requires A. Duarte to report, within seven (7) days of a change, information regarding: his name; job status (includes beginning and leaving employment and changing work locations); education status (includes a transfer from one educational facility to another); among other requirements [Dkt. 70, Ex. 4 at 2-3; Ex. 8 at 4, ¶ 14]. The failure to comply with any registration requirement is a felony offense.
Because of the requirement that A. Duarte register with the Texas Department of Public Safety as a child sex offender,
Both Parties seemingly agree Plaintiffs have deep roots in the City of Lewisville, and desire to live there as a family [Dkt. 1 at 4, ¶ C; Dkt. 70 at 9, ¶ 15]. In part due to the Plaintiffs' deep roots, prior to A. Duarte's release from prison W. Duarte began communicating with City representative Leslie Peck ("Ms. Peck"), the sex offender registrar in the Criminal Investigation Section of the Lewisville Police Department, to assist her and A. Duarte with finding available housing for their family that complied with the Ordinance
Chronologically, the Court has ascertained that W. Duarte contacted Ms. Peck and inquired about the following residential properties: (1) On February 22, 2010, W. Duarte inquired with the City about 120 Ridgeway Circle, and was told it was a "NO," meaning that residence was within a protected zone and A. Duarte could not reside there [Dkt. 70, Ex. 7 at 9-11]; (2)
From approximately 2010 through 2013, A. Duarte and his family resided at 324 E. Corporate Drive, Lewisville, Texas, in a one bedroom motel room [Dkt. 70, Ex. 5 at 2, 8; Ex. 6 (2012 deposition) at 138:4-7; Ex. 8 at ¶ 12]. At the time the Duarte family moved into the motel room it was not located within a buffer zone; however, it is now within a buffer zone due to the construction of a new public or semi-public swimming pool [Dkt. 70, Ex. 8 at 4, ¶ 12]. See also Duarte ex rel. Duarte v. City of Lewisville, 759 F.3d 514, 516 (5th Cir. 2014). Because the Plaintiffs established their residence there before the opening of the pool, Plaintiffs could continue to lawfully reside there as the residence was considered "grandfathered" under the Ordinance. Id. Notwithstanding, Plaintiff contends that due to the City's Ordinance, he was, and continues to be, "legally foreclosed" from living in Lewisville [Dkt. 1 at 5 ¶ F].
As of June 5, 2015, there were 495 residential properties outside the buffer zones that a registered child sex offender could legally reside in within the City of Lewisville [Dkt. 70, Ex. 8 at 1 ¶ 4]. Neither party has presented the Court with any evidence of exactly how many residential properties (for purchase or rent) were available out-side the protected zones that a registered child sex offender could legally reside in at the time Plaintiffs filed their Complaint on or about March 26, 2012, and/or during the time frame of 2009-2013, when W. Duarte made inquiries. The Court has, however,
Plaintiffs assert that the U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 2010, the City of Lewisville had 39,967 residential housing units within its city limits and that the City had a total population of 95,210 residents [Dkt. 84 at 7, ¶ I]. Of the total 39,967 residential housing units in the City of Lewisville, Texas in November of 2012, Plaintiff states that only eight (8) residential properties were legally available for purchase and only two (2) were available for lease [Dkt. 84 at 7, ¶ J]. Plaintiffs contend these ten (10) total properties constituted.025 percent of the total number of residential properties in Lewisville, Texas, at that time [Dkt. 84 at 8, ¶ K].
On or around August of 2013, the Duartes moved to Lake Dallas, Texas [Dkt. 70, Ex. 6 (2015 deposition) at 5:3-13; Ex. 5 at 15]. While Plaintiffs no longer live in Lewisville, Texas, it is undisputed that they continue to visit, work, shop, and attend school in Lewisville frequently [Dkt. 70, Ex. 6 (2015 deposition) at 13:24-14:13]. Indeed, Plaintiffs are "constantly in Lewisville," and visit W. Duarte's mother as a family at least every week, who resides in Lewisville inside a buffer zone [Dkt. 70, Ex. 6 (2015 deposition) at 14:3-13]. Both W. Duarte and B.D. work at Sears in Lewisville, and S.D. attends school at Lewisville High School and works at Raising Cane's restaurant in Lewisville after school [Dkt. 70, Ex. 13 (2015 deposition) at 27:13-23; Ex. 15 at 5:11-14, 6:1-5, 7:17-19]. The Duartes describe themselves as very close, and state that their relationship has not been affected by this lawsuit or the Ordinance [Dkt. 70, Ex. 13 (2015 deposition) at 29:10-16, 28:16-17; Ex. 6 (2015 deposition) at 7:21-8:17; Ex. 14 at 10:9-19, 14:2-11; Ex. 15 at 9:19-22, 10:1-14].
Procedurally, this case was filed on March 26, 2012 [Dkt. 1], and the City moved for dismissal based on lack of standing under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12 [Dkt. 6]. On October 23, 2012, the Court dismissed W. Duarte, S.D., and B.D.'s claims for lack of standing [See Dkt. 18; Dkt. 20]. Later, the City moved for summary judgment on A. Duarte's claims, and the Court found that there was no genuine dispute of material fact that A. Duarte lacked standing to challenge the Ordinance [Dkt. 26; Dkt. 50; Dkt. 53]. On July 3, 2013, the Court entered a final judgment dismissing Plaintiffs' claims with prejudice [Dkt. 54].
On July 24, 2013, Plaintiffs timely appealed [Dkt. 55]. See Duarte, 759 F.3d at 516. The Fifth Circuit reviewed the decision to dismiss for lack of standing de novo, and determined that (1) A. Duarte suffered an actual injury because he "is the target of the Lewisville ordinance restricting where registered child sex offenders, like him, can live" and; (2) W. Duarte, S.D., and B.D. also have standing to challenge the ordinance because it "interferes with the Duartes' lives `in a concrete and personal way' which the Supreme Court has held is sufficient to confer standing." Id. at 518-19. The Fifth Circuit found that "the Duartes need not show they were `legally foreclosed from purchasing or
On June 5, 2015, the City filed its Motion for Summary Judgment and Brief in Support [Dkts. 70-75] seeking summary judgment on all claims. On July 7, 2015, Plaintiffs filed their Response [Dkt. 84]. On July 17, 2015, the City filed its Reply [Dkt. 89].
The purpose of summary judgment is to isolate and dispose of factually unsupported claims or defenses. See Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 327, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). Summary judgment is proper if the pleadings, the discovery and disclosure materials on file, and any affidavits "[show] that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." FED. R. CIV. P. 56(a). A dispute about a material fact is genuine "if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). The trial court must resolve all reasonable doubts in favor of the party opposing the motion for summary judgment. Casey Enters., Inc. v. Am. Hardware Mut. Ins. Co., 655 F.2d 598, 602 (5th Cir.1981) (citations omitted). The substantive law identifies which facts are material. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505.
The party moving for summary judgment has the burden to show that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Id. at 247, 106 S.Ct. 2505. If the movant bears the burden of proof on a claim or defense on which it is moving for summary judgment, it must come forward with evidence that establishes "beyond peradventure all of the essential elements of the claim or defense." Fontenot v. Upjohn Co., 780 F.2d 1190, 1194 (5th Cir. 1986). But if the nonmovant bears the burden of proof, the movant may discharge its burden by showing that there is an absence of evidence to support the nonmovant's case. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 325, 106 S.Ct. 2548; Byers v. Dallas Morning News, Inc., 209 F.3d 419, 424 (5th Cir. 2000). Once the movant has carried its burden, the nonmovant must "respond to the motion for summary judgment by setting forth particular facts indicating there is a genuine issue for trial." Byers, 209 F.3d at 424 (citing Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248-49, 106 S.Ct. 2505). The nonmovant must adduce affirmative evidence. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 257, 106 S.Ct. 2505. The Court must consider all of the evidence but refrain from making any credibility determinations or weighing the evidence. See Turner v. Baylor Richardson Med. Ctr., 476 F.3d 337, 343 (5th Cir.2007).
Plaintiff A. Duarte seeks monetary damages, declaratory and injunctive relief, and
In 1994, the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offenders Registration Act was enacted. 42 U.S.C. § 14071. By 1996, every state, the District of Columbia, and the federal government responded by enacting a registry statute for those convicted of crimes against children and/or various sexual offenders. Smith v. Doe, 538 U.S. 84, 90, 123 S.Ct. 1140, 155 L.Ed.2d 164 (2003). The United States Supreme Court has addressed these sex offender registry statutes and ruled that they are civil regulatory schemes designed to protect the public. Id. at 93, 123 S.Ct. 1140. The imposition of such measures is a "legitimate nonpunitive governmental objective." Id.
In addition to the sex offender registry statutes, by 2008, many Texas cities, like Lewisville, had enacted residency restrictions for those persons registered as a sex offender with the Texas Department of Public Safety. See, e.g., Plano City Code Sec. 14-123 (2006); City of Arlington Ord. No. 7-079 (2006); City of Mesquite Ord. No. 3809 (2006); City of Richland Hills Ord. No. 1064-06 (2006); City of Saginaw Ord. No.2007-20 (2007); City of West Orange Ord. No. 35 (2006); City of League City Ord. No.2006-81 (2006). It is the Lewisville Ordinance imposing the residency restrictions that is at issue in this case.
As an initial matter, in its Reply, the City objects to certain exhibits to Plaintiffs' Response. Specifically, Defendant objects to Plaintiffs' Exhibit 1 (and its subparts) [Dkt. 84, Ex. 1], pursuant to Federal Rule of Evidence 801(c) as inadmissible hearsay in the form of expert designation [Dkt. 90].
Defendant also objects to Plaintiffs' Exhibit 2 [Dkt. 84, Ex. 2], which Defendant describes as a document made by W. Duarte a week before her deposition at the request of Plaintiffs' counsel listing the homes that W. Duarte allegedly spoke to Ms. Peck about [Dkt. 89]. Defendant objects under Federal Rules of Evidence 612 and 803(5) on the basis that the document constitutes "impermissible past recollection recorded and present recollection revived" [Dkt. 89 at 10]. Notably, however, Plaintiffs' Exhibit 2 is the affidavit of W. Duarte, and not a listing of homes as alleged by Defendant. W. Duarte's affidavit, which is based on her personal knowledge, is admissible summary judgment evidence under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56, and, as such, Defendant's objection to Plaintiffs' Exhibit 2 is
A. Duarte alleges that the Ordinance violates the Ex Post Facto Clause by subjecting him to additional or "retroactive" punishment following his 2008 conviction for Online Solicitation of a Minor [Dkt. 1 at 15]. "The Ex Post Facto Clause of Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution prohibits the States from enacting laws that increase punishment for criminal acts after they have been committed." Doe v. Miller, 405 F.3d 700, 718 (8th Cir.2005) (citing, generally, Calder v. Bull, 3 U.S. (3 Dall.) 386, 1 L.Ed. 648, 39 (1798)). The framework for determining whether a statute imposes an increased punishment for crimes in violation of the Ex Post Facto Clause is set out by the Supreme Court in Smith v. Doe, 538 U.S. 84, 92-93, 97, 123 S.Ct. 1140, 155 L.Ed.2d 164 (2003). The Court must first "ascertain whether the legislature meant the statute to establish `civil' proceedings," or if the legislature intended to impose punishment. Id. at 92, 123 S.Ct. 1140. "If the intention of the legislature was to impose punishment, that ends the inquiry," and the law is necessarily unconstitutional. Id. If, however, the "intention was to enact a regulatory scheme that is civil and nonpunitive, [the Court] must further examine whether the statutory scheme is `so punitive either in purpose or effect as to negate [the State's] intention' to deem it `civil.'" Id. (quoting United States v. Ward, 448 U.S. 242, 248-49, 100 S.Ct. 2636, 65 L.Ed.2d 742 (1980)). Because the Court ordinarily defers to the legislature's stated intent, "only the clearest proof will suffice to override legislative intent and transform what has been denominated a civil remedy into a criminal penalty." Id.; Hudson v. United States, 522 U.S. 93, 100, 118 S.Ct. 488, 139 L.Ed.2d 450 (1997); see also Kansas v. Hendricks, 521 U.S. 346, 361, 117 S.Ct. 2072, 138 L.Ed.2d 501 (1997); United States v. Ursery, 518 U.S. 267, 290, 116 S.Ct. 2135, 135 L.Ed.2d 549 (1996); United States v. One Assortment of 89 Firearms, 465 U.S. 354, 365, 104 S.Ct. 1099, 79 L.Ed.2d 361 (1984).
"Whether a statute is civil or criminal in nature is a question of statutory construction. Helvering v. Mitchell, 303 U.S. 391, 399, 58 S.Ct. 630, 82 L.Ed. 917 (1938). A statute's intent is discerned by looking first at the words of the statute, and "[i]f its words are clear and unambiguous, `then our interpretative journey comes to an end, and we apply that plain meaning to the facts before us.'" Moore v. Avoyelles Correctional Center, 253 F.3d 870, 872 (2001) (citing United States v. Barlow, 41 F.3d 935, 942 (5th Cir.1994)). The Ordinance itself includes findings-the
The next determination is whether the Ordinance is so punitive in purpose or effect that it negates the City's intent to be nonpunitive. See Smith, 538 U.S. at 92-93, 123 S.Ct. 1140. Because the Ordinance is a civil regulation on its face, A. Duarte must provide the "clearest proof' that the Ordinance is so punitive as to negate its civil intent. Id. at 92, 123 S.Ct. 1140. The clearest proof standard is a heavy burden, and as such, "some evidence will not do; substantial evidence will not do; and a preponderance of the evidence will not do. [O]nly the clearest proof will do." United States v. W.B.H., 664 F.3d 848, 855 (11th Cir.2011) (quoting Smith, 538 U.S. at 92, 123 S.Ct. 1140). This requirement "is a steep one for those challenging a statute on those grounds." Id. at 854.
The Supreme Court established a framework in Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez, 372 U.S. 144, 168-9, 83 S.Ct. 554, 9 L.Ed.2d 644 (1963), for determining whether the effects of a statute are so punitive as to negate the legislative intent to create a civil regulatory scheme (the "Kennedy" factors). Smith, 538 U.S. at 97, 123 S.Ct. 1140. The Kennedy factors (or guideposts) are, "whether, in its necessary operation, the regulatory scheme": (1) imposes an affirmative disability or restraint; (2) has been regarded in our history and traditions as a punishment; (3) promotes the traditional aims of punishment; (4) comes into play only on a finding of scienter; (5) applies to behavior that is already a crime; (6) has a rational connection to a nonpunitive purpose; and (7) is
A. Duarte argues only that Defendant concedes that the Ordinance imposes "an affirmative disability or restraint" [Dkt. 84 at 10]. While the City agrees that the Ordinance imposes a minor restraint (in that child sex offenders are precluded from living within certain designated areas of the City) [Dkt. 70 at 16], the City also notes that there are no physical restraints imposed by the statute, and further asserts that any minor restraint imposed does not rise to the level of a disability contemplated by the Kennedy factors [Id.; Dkt. 89 n. 2]. See Hendricks, 521 U.S. at 363-65, 117 S.Ct. 2072 (the Ordinance here is significantly less restrictive than the involuntary commitment provisions for mentally ill sex offenders held to be nonpunitive by the United States Supreme Court). The Supreme Court has instructed that "[i]f the disability or restraint is minor and indirect, its effects are unlikely to be punitive." Smith, 538 U.S. at 100, 123 S.Ct. 1140; Miller, 405 F.3d at 720-21 (minor and indirect restraints are unlikely to be punitive and sex offender registration laws do not have a punitive effect). Here, the Ordinance imposes no physical restraint and does not resemble the punishment of imprisonment. Thus, the Court finds that to the extent a restraint exists, such restraint is relatively minor and/or limited and does not give rise to a complete exclusion and/or the level of disability/restraint contemplated by the Kennedy court.
The Ordinance on its face does not impose a circumstance that has been regarded in our history and traditions as punishment. Notwithstanding, A. Duarte asserts that the Ordinance essentially constitutes "banishment" of the child sex offenders subject to its residency restrictions [Dkt. 84 at 10-11]. "Banishment" refers to being sent away from a city, place, or country for a specified period of time or life, United States v. Ju Toy, 198 U.S. 253, 269-70, 25 S.Ct. 644, 49 L.Ed. 1040 (1905), or "expulsion from a country." Doe v. Miller, 405 F.3d 700, 719 (8th Cir.2005) (citing Black's Law Dictionary 154, 614 (8th ed.2004)). A. Duarte contends that because he has been unable to find a residence in the Lewisville community outside the buffer zones, that the Ordinance effectively banishes him from Lewisville [Dkt. 84 at 34].
In support of his proposition [Dkt. 84 at 10], A. Duarte cites to certain language from Doe v. Baker, No. 1:05-CV-2265, 2006 WL 905368, at *3 (N.D.Ga. Apr. 5, 2006). In Doe, a sex offender argued that the residence restrictions he was subject to violated the Ex Post Facto Clause. Id. The sex offender, Doe, argued that he was effectively banished because he was forced to vacate a particular place, his long-standing family home of many years. Id. However, after construing the definition of banishment as being forced to vacate and prevented from returning to a particular
Under the record presented here, similar to the Court in Doe v. Baker, the Court cannot conclude that A. Duarte is subjected to banishment under the Ordinance. Although the record indicates that W. Duarte inquired about suitable residences on a number of occasions and was told that certain residences were within a protected zone, it is undisputed there were homes for sale that were not within a protected zone [see Dkt. 70, Ex. 7 at 1, 20; Ex. 8]. Indeed, Plaintiffs acknowledge they were informed of at least two such properties, which they purport to have attempted to purchase [see Dkt. 70, Ex. 13, (2012 deposition) at 27:1-21; 31:21-25]. The City has presented evidence that, as of June 5, 2015, there were 495 residential properties in Lewisville that were outside the protected zones where a registered child sex offender could legally reside [Dkt. 70, Ex. 8 at 1, ¶ 4]. The City's evidence also indicates that there were 92 housing units for sale and actually sold and 36 housing units for lease and actually leased outside the Ordinance protected zones between 2010 and 2015 [Dkt. 70, Ex. 12 at 2, ¶ 8].
A. Duarte contends that the Ordinance promotes the traditional aims of punishment — specifically, deterrence and retribution — and is therefore punitive in nature [Dkt. 84 at 11-12]. Defendant agrees that the Ordinance is designed to address the dangers of recidivism among persons previously convicted of sex offenses against children, and asserts that it is likely that the Ordinance also deters future offenders from committing these crimes [Dkt. 70 at 19]. However, in Smith, the Supreme Court made clear that "[t]o hold that the mere presence of a deterrent purpose renders such sanctions `criminal'... would severely undermine the Government's ability to engage in effective regulation." 538 U.S. at 102, 123 S.Ct. 1140. The Smith court further explained that the regulatory scheme is reasonably related to the danger of recidivism posed by sex offenders. Id. It is undisputed that the Ordinance prevents convicted child sex offenders from residing in areas near where children commonly gather, such as schools, pools, parks, and daycares [see Dkt. 70, Ex. 1]. While the residency requirement of the Ordinance is different than the registration statute upheld in Smith, the analysis employed remains the same and demands the same result herein — the mere existence of a deterrent effect does not provide a strong enough inference that the restriction is punishment. See Smith, 538 U.S. at 102, 123 S.Ct. 1140; see also Hudson, 522 U.S. at 94, 118 S.Ct. 488. The Ordinance is reasonably related to the danger
In Smith, the Supreme Court held that these two factors (consolidated herein) were of little weight in determining whether the sex offender registration statute was a violation of the Ex Post Facto Clause. 538 U.S. at 105, 123 S.Ct. 1140. Specifically, the Supreme Court held that the regulatory scheme applied only to past conduct, which was, and remains, a crime. Id. The Supreme Court found that this was a necessary beginning point because recidivism was the concern of the statute, and the duties of registration imposed by the statute were not predicated upon a present or repeated violation. Id. The same is true in this case, and as such the Court finds that these two factors merit little weight in this Court's analysis. While the underlying sex offenses that require an individual to be subject to the sex offender registration statutes do require proof of scienter for the underlying conviction, the Ordinance itself does not require that finding [see Dkt. 70, Ex. 1; Dkt. 84 at 11]. Moreover, the Ordinance does not apply to behavior which is independently a crime, separate and apart from the underlying conviction for a sex offense [Dkt. 84 at 12 ("Plaintiff Aurelio Duarte concedes that Defendant's [Ordinance] does not apply to behavior which is independently a crime.")].
The most important factor in an ex post facto analysis is whether there is a rational connection between the challenged statute and its nonpunitive purpose. Smith, 538 U.S. at 102, 123 S.Ct. 1140. The Supreme Court in Smith noted that a "close and perfect fit" between the statute and its nonpunitive aim is not required. U.S. v. W.B.H., 664 F.3d at 859 (citing Smith, 538 U.S. at 103, 123 S.Ct. 1140).
A. Duarte asserts that there is no rational connection between the Ordinance's requirement that he live at least 1,500 feet away from a location where children commonly gather, and the nonpunitive purpose of providing better protection for children in the City [Dkt. 84 at 12]. A. Duarte acknowledges that providing better protection for children is a legitimate and laudable objective; however, A. Duarte argues that this objective cannot be rationally or legally accomplished by the Ordinance. Id. Specifically, A. Duarte relies on the expert testimony of Dr. Taylor who attests that at the time the Ordinance was enacted in 2008, there was an "undiluted consensus among behavioral scientists and criminologists... that sex offender residency restrictions provide absolutely no `better protection for children' against the risk of being subjected to sexual abuse" [Dkt. 84
Because the testimony of Dr. Taylor has been stricken (see supra at 12), the Court cannot rely on it in deciding this Motion; notably however, even if the Court were to rely upon and/or consider A. Duarte's expert report and bibliography the result would be unchanged. The Court need only determine if the Ordinance has a rational connection between the stated purpose and the restriction placed on convicted child sex offenders; a perfect fit between ends and means need not exist. See generally Moore v. Avo, yelles Correctional Center, 253 F.3d 870 (5th Cir.2001). Federal courts have consistently found that legislatures have a clear, compelling interest in protecting children from recidivist sex offenders. Graham v. Henry, No. 06CV381, 2006 WL 2645130, at *9 (N.D.Okla. Sept. 14, 2006) (where the court denied plaintiff's request to enjoin enforcement of a statute that prohibited sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school premises, quoting the Oklahoma legislature that "sex offenders who commit other predatory acts against children and persons who prey on others as a result of mental illness pose a high risk of re-offending after release from custody."); Smith, 538 U.S. at 103, 123 S.Ct. 1140; Doe v. Bredesen, 507 F.3d 998, 1006 (6th Cir.2007) (finding a rational relation due to "the unusually high risk of recidivism" among child sex offenders). For example, in Coston v. Petro, 398 F.Supp.2d 878, 886 (S.D.Ohio 2005), the court considered an ex post facto challenge to a statute in which registered sex offenders were prohibited from residing within 1,000 feet of a school. The plaintiffs in Coston argued that the statute did not actually limit sex offenders' access to children and noted that a sex offender could still live in apartment buildings full of children or near parks or other places where children congregate. Id. The Ohio court found that the plaintiffs' criticism of the statute was valid from a policy standpoint, but it did "not detract from a rational conclusion that the safety of children is promoted when sex offenders are prohibited from living near schools." Id. The Ohio court recognized that "the Court does not sit to judge whether the legislature has made the best possible choice in attempting to protect children from sex offenders .... [and] the legislature's failure to address every conceivable situation where sex offenders may prey on children does not mean that [the statute] lacks a rational connection to the legislature's objective." Id.
Here, there is a rational connection between prohibiting convicted child sex offenders from living within 1,500 feet of places where children commonly gather and the nonpunitive goal of protecting children from recidivist sex offenders. Again, federal courts have consistently found that child sex offenders pose a high risk of recidivism, and even if this Ordinance is not the most effective means of offering protection to the community, specifically to its children, it is rationally connected to this goal, and "[w]here there is such a rational connection to a non-punitive purpose, it is not for the courts to second-guess the state legislature's policy decision as to which measures best effectuate that purpose." Bredesen, 507 F.3d at 1006. Indeed, the Eighth Circuit specifically and succinctly addressed this issue in Miller:
Miller, 405 F.3d at 715-16. The Ordinance prevents convicted child sex offenders from residing near where children are likely to congregate, and is intended to reduce the likelihood that such offenders will have ready access to such locations where they can place children under predatory surveillance. The Ordinance is further intended to decrease the risk that a convicted child sex offender will reoffend. A reasonable legislator could believe that the means employed by the Ordinance would help prevent future attacks by recidivist sex offenders.
Accordingly, the Court finds that the Ordinance has a rational connection to its nonpunitive purpose. "Obviously, no law protects every person in every situation, just as no law ever stops a criminal who is determined to commit crime. That does not mean, however, that the legislature should not or cannot do what it can to reduce the risk of harm that recidivists actually present." Doe v. Petro, No. 1:05-cv-125, 2005 WL 1038846, at *4 (S.D.Ohio Oct. 24, 2006). This "most significant" factor weighs in favor of a determination that the Ordinance is nonpunitive.
A. Duarte contends that the Ordinance is excessive in relation to its purpose because "it does not even attempt to distinguish among its targets those who may, and those who under no circumstances would, pose a threat to children by reason of a lack of sexual control" [Dkt. 84 at 13]. A. Duarte asserts that the findings of Dr. Henschel, attached as an exhibit to the City's Motion, are not properly used to determine a sex offender's relative risk of recidivism, and the City did not consider these findings when it applied or enforced its Ordinance against A. Duarte. Id. at 14. A. Duarte further argues that the statute is clearly punitive, and urges the Court to consider three cases (not cited by the City) in support of his proposition: (1) Doe v. Miller, 298 F.Supp.2d 844 (S.D.Iowa 2004); (2) Commonwealth v. Baker, 295 S.W.3d 437 (Ky.2009); and (3) Mikaloff v. Walsh, No. 5:06-cv-96, 2007 WL 2572268 (N.D.Ohio Sept. 4, 2007). Id.
The Court, having examined each, finds Plaintiffs cited cases unpersuasive. Doe v. Miller and the reasoning contained therein has been overturned by the Eighth Circuit. 405 F.3d 700, 723 (8th Cir.2005). In Commonwealth v. Baker, the Kentucky Supreme Court found the residency statute in question punitive primarily because it did not contain a "grandfather" clause. 295 S.W.3d at 447. Because of the lack of such a clause, the statute's effect was to essentially expel individuals from their homes. Id. at 444. The court was concerned that the statute allowed for the potential eviction of an offender at any given time if a new school, playground, or other area was constructed within the required
The Ordinance at issue in this case has a "grandfather" clause that allows a sex offender who has already established a residence at a particular location to be exempt from the Ordinance [Dkt. 70, Ex. 1 at 4-5]. It also does not require a sex offender to move from a residence upon the construction of some new location where children commonly gather. Id.; see also Duarte, 759 F.3d at 516. Further, the Ordinance applies only to child sex offenders, as opposed to the broader category of sex offenders of both children and adults. Id. at 1. The Ordinance also contains multiple affirmative defenses that, if argued and proven, exempt the child sex offender from the residency restrictions. Id. at 4-5.
The Court's examination of the above factors and the evidence presented leads to the determination that Plaintiff A. Duarte cannot show by "clearest proof," that the effects of the Ordinance are so punitive as to negate the City's intent to impose a civil regulatory scheme. A. Duarte also contends that there are genuine issues of material fact that remain to be resolved under his ex post facto claims, which preclude dismissal [Dkt. 84 at 13]. However, A. Duarte does not state which facts are in dispute and has not disputed any of Defendant's evidence. It is clear the only issues for the Court to determine under A. Duarte's Ex Post Facto claim are legal issues. Therefore, the Court finds that the Ordinance is not a violation the Ex Post Facto Clause of the United States Constitution, and, accordingly, recommends that this claim be dismissed.
A. Duarte asserts that the Ordinance at issue here constitutes "successive, multiple `punishments,' arising directly from Plaintiff Aurelio Duarte's prior conviction for a reportable `sex offense,' which are prohibited by the Double Jeopardy Clause" [Dkt. 1 at 14-15]. The Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment provides: "[N]or shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb." U.S. CONST. amend. V; Hendricks, 521 U.S. at 369, 117 S.Ct. 2072. "Although generally understood to preclude a second prosecution for the same offense, the Court has also interpreted this prohibition to prevent the State from `punishing twice, or attempting a second time to punish criminally, for the same offense.'" Id. (citing Witte v. United States, 515 U.S. 389, 396, 115 S.Ct. 2199, 132 L.Ed.2d 351 (1995)).
A. Duarte's double jeopardy claim fails for the same reasons that his ex post facto claim fails.
A. Duarte claims that the Ordinance deprives him of his constitutional right to Equal Protection of Law in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution [Dkt. 1 at 12]. The Equal Protection Clause "demands that similarly situated persons be treated similarly under the law." Sonnier v. Quarterman, 476 F.3d 349, 367-68 (5th Cir.2007) (citing Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202, 216, 102 S.Ct. 2382, 72 L.Ed.2d 786 (1982)). However the Supreme Court has explained that:
The first step is to identify whether the Ordinance involves a suspect class or a fundamental right in order for the Court to determine which test applies to its review of the Ordinance.
As a preliminary matter, sex offenders and/or persons included on the Texas sex offender registry are not a suspect class. Stauffer v. Gearhart, 741 F.3d 574, 587 (5th Cir.2014). In Stauffer, the Fifth Circuit considered a policy implemented by the TDCJ's Sex Offender.Treatment Program, which confiscated the reading materials of an inmate in order to maximize the effectiveness of the program by allowing the participants to focus all of their energy on fulfilling the program's requirements. Id. at 579. The Fifth Circuit found that "any classification of convicted sex-offenders is only subject to a rational basis review." Id. at 587; Creel v. Scott, 51 F.3d 1042, 1042 (5th Cir.1995) ("Because sex offenders are not members of a suspect class, the state need demonstrate only that the restriction [ ] is reasonably related to the legitimate concerns of safety and security."). Therefore, any argument by A. Duarte that the Ordinance implicates a suspect class fails. Unless the Court finds that there is a fundamental right at issue, it will apply a rational basis review to this case.
A. Duarte argues that he has a fundamental right to live where he wishes and also that the Ordinance constitutes a direct regulation on family affairs and/or his right to associate [Dkt. 1 at 7]. Fundamental rights are those that are so implicit in the concept of ordered liberty that neither liberty nor justice would exist if they were sacrificed. See Williams v. Attorney Gen of Alabama, 378 F.3d 1232, 1239 (11th Cir.2004) (quoting Washington v. Glucksberg, 521 U.S. 702, 720-21, 117 S.Ct. 2258, 138 L.Ed.2d 772 (1997)). In Glucksberg, the Supreme Court said that in order for a right to be fundamental, it must be "deeply rooted in this Nation's history and tradition." Id. In addition to the Bill of Rights, the Supreme Court has identified certain other fundamental liberty interests, such as "the rights to marry; to have children; to direct the education and upbringing of one's children; to marital privacy; to use contraception; to bodily integrity; and to abortion." Id. at 720, 117 S.Ct. 2258 (internal citations omitted).
Defendant points out that over thirty years ago, the Eighth Circuit said "we cannot agree that the right to choose one's place of residence is necessarily a fundamental right. Cases too numerous to mention have upheld restrictions on this interest." Prostrollo v. Univ. of S.D., 507 F.2d 775, 781 (8th Cir.1974) (citations omitted). There is no basis to conclude that this law has changed in the intervening years. Miller, 405 F.3d at 713-14. Indeed, in recent years, courts have repeatedly rejected Plaintiffs' contention that there is a fundamental, constitutional right to "reside in a certain place, i.e., with family members," saying "courts have determined there is no fundamental right to live where one pleases." Graham, 2006 WL 2645130, at *7. By way of example, in People v. Leroy, an Illinois appellate court determined that a probationer had no fundamental constitutional right to live with his mother when she lived within 500 feet of a restricted area. 357 Ill.App.3d 530, 293 Ill.Dec. 459, 828 N.E.2d 769, 776 (2005). In Spangler v. Collins, a federal court in Ohio determined that a residency restriction of 1,000 feet did not implicate a fundamental right and therefore the statute
Turning now to A. Duarte's claim that he is being denied the right to associate with family members, and that, as such, the Ordinance constitutes an infringement on the familial relationship and/or regulates family affairs, the Court finds the Ordinance does not affect the family relationship. This claim has repeatedly failed before other courts and also fails before this Court. See, e.g., McGuire v. City of Montgomery, No. 2:11-cv-1027-WKW, 2013 WL 1336882, at *10 (M.D.Ala.2013) (citing Miller, 405 F.3d at 712); Formaro, 773 N.W.2d at 840; State v. Seering, 701 N.W.2d 655, 662-64 (Iowa 2005). The Ordinance does not infringe directly on the family relationship. Sex offenders subject to the residency restriction are allowed to live with whomever they want, and to parent their children within their familial home in a manner of their choosing. Moreover, the evidence demonstrates that the Ordinance (as well as this litigation) has had no impact on A. Duarte's ability to reside and interact with his family. A. Duarte has lived with his wife and two children since his release from prison [Dkt. 1 at 4, ¶ C]. The Duartes acknowledges that they are a close family and that they do many things together [Dkt. 70, Ex. 6 at 139:1-25; 140:1-2]. A. Duarte admits that despite the Ordinance and the litigation, he has been able to give advice to his daughters about school and dating, cook meals, take his children to school, do chores, go out to eat lunch, visit family, and go to the park [Dkt. 70, Ex. 6 at 139:1-25; 140:1-2]. He may do anything he desires within the child protection protected zones, as long as he does not establish a residence therein.
In support of his argument, A. Duarte cites Moore v. City of East Cleveland, 431 U.S. 494, 97 S.Ct. 1932, 52 L.Ed.2d 531 (1977) [Dkt. 84 at 20-22]; however, this case is readily distinguishable from the present case. The statute in Moore strictly regulated family living arrangements where a grandmother could not live with a, grandson as he did not meet the definition of "family" in the statute. Id. However, the Ordinance at issue here does not regulate who can live with whom, or dictate which members of a person's family can reside in a certain location.
Accordingly, as Plaintiff has failed to identify a fundamental right or liberty interest, the Court finds that the Ordinance will be upheld as long as it is rationally related to a legitimate government purpose. Hines v. Alldredge, 783 F.3d 197, 202-03 (5th Cir.2015). Under the rational basis test, the Ordinance is "accorded a strong presumption of validity" and "must be upheld if there is any reasonably conceivable state of facts that could provide a rational basis" for it. Heller v. Doe, 509 U.S. 312, 319-20, 113 S.Ct. 2637, 125 L.Ed.2d 257 (1993); Cornerstone Christian Schools v. UIL, 563 F.3d 127, 139 (5th Cir.2009). Under this standard, A. Duarte bears the burden of showing that there is no conceivable state of facts that could provide a rational basis for the Ordinance. "As long as there is a conceivable rational basis for the official action, it is immaterial
A. Duarte asserts a claim against the City for municipal liability pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. "[R]espondeat superior does not apply to municipalities for claims under § 1983." Deville v. Marcantel, 567 F.3d 156, 170 (5th Cir.2009) (citing Monell v. Dep't of Social Servs., 436 U.S. 658, 691, 98 S.Ct. 2018, 56 L.Ed.2d 611 (1978)). Instead, liability may be imposed "only where [the government entity] itself causes the constitutional violation at issue." City of Canton v. Harris, 489 U.S. 378, 385, 109 S.Ct. 1197, 103 L.Ed.2d 412 (1989) (citing Monell, 436 U.S. at 694-95, 98 S.Ct. 2018) (emphasis in original). Thus, in order to hold the City liable under Section 1983, Plaintiff must establish that the "execution of [the City's] policy or custom, whether made by its lawmakers or by those whose edicts or acts may fairly be said to represent official policy, inflicts the injury." Deville, 567 F.3d at 170. Official policy is:
Bennett v. City of Slidell, 735 F.2d 861, 862 (5th Cir.1984). "Moreover, when proceeding under § 1983, `each and any policy which allegedly cause constitutional violations must be specifically identified by a plaintiff.'" Akins v. Liberty County, No. 1:10-cv-328, 2014 WL 105839, at *9 (E.D.Tex. Jan. 9, 2014) (citing Piotrowski v. City of Houston, 237 F.3d 567, 578 (5th Cir.2001)). Therefore, for Section 1983 liability to attach, a plaintiff must demonstrate three elements: "a policymaker; an official policy; and a violation of constitutional rights whose `moving force' is the policy or custom." Id. (citing, inter alia, Cox v. City of Dallas, 430 F.3d 734, 748 (5th Cir.2005)).
Without an underlying violation of constitutional rights pursuant to a policy, practice, or custom, A. Duarte may not proceed on a § 1983 claim against the City. See Hernandez v. City of El Paso, No. EP-08-CV-222-PRM, 2011 WL 3667174, at *6 (W.D.Tex.2011) (where there was no violation of a constitutional right, there is no municipal liability). This Court has already determined that the Ordinance does not violate A. Duarte's constitutional rights, and moreover, A. Duarte does not, in any form or fashion, address Defendant's request to have this claim dismissed in his Response. Thus, the Court recommends that A. Duarte's claim arising
A. Duarte contends that he is entitled to procedural due process because he is a person who is fully discharged from his sentence for conviction of a sex offense, he is neither on community supervision or parole, and he was deprived of the right to show that he, as an individual, is not dangerous to the community [Dkt. 84 at 26-27]. The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees that a State will not deprive a person of life, liberty, or property without some form of notice and opportunity to be heard: See Hamdi v. Rumsfeld, 542 U.S. 507, 533, 124 S.Ct. 2633, 159 L.Ed.2d 578 (2004). A. Duarte argues that his due process claim can be resolved by determining whether he has a fundamental right to live where he wishes to live.
In its Motion, the City argues that A. Duarte's "fundamental right" and "liberty interest" to live where he wants is not a procedural due process claim, but appears to be a substantive due process claim because A. Duarte complains about the City's interference with his liberty interests [Dkt. 70 at 29]. However, A. Duarte specifically states that he is not raising a substantive due process claim, and affirms that his claim is intended to be a procedural due process claim only. "On several prior occasions Plaintiffs have expressly disavowed ever having alleged in this suit a claim based on a violation of `substantive due process.' Suffice it to say once again, Plaintiffs' claims concerning the violation of their `substantive' constitutional right to `liberty' protected by the Fourteenth Amendment, invokes the procedural due process analysis ... which does not inquire into whether an alleged deprivation of liberty should be subjected to, or satisfies, a `strict' or some less demanding degree of `scrutiny'" [Dkt. 84 at 30-31]. Therefore, the Court will evaluate A. Duarte's claim as a procedural due process claim and will not consider substantive due process other than noting Plaintiff does not appear to satisfy the requirements to prevail on such a claim.
First and foremost, to the extent that A. Duarte's argument is that the application of the Ordinance to him deprives him of a fundamental right — the right to live where he wishes to live — without notice and a hearing, this argument fails. As determined by the Court supra, A. Duarte does not have a fundamental right to live wherever he wishes. If this is indeed the lynchpin of A. Duarte's procedural due process argument, then his argument fails based on the Court's previous determination.
Moreover, similar to the statute at issue in Miller, the residency restriction in this case applies to all child sex offenders, regardless of what estimates of future dangerousness might be proven in individualized hearings. 405 F.3d at 709. A. Duarte asserts that the Ordinance contemplates recognition of differing potential risks, as it does not apply to all offenders, and provides a potential exemption for individuals who seek to prove that they are not individually dangerous or likely to offend against neighboring schoolchildren [Dkt. 84 at 30]. In support of his argument, A. Duarte cites the Ordinance's sixth affirmative defense, which states that the residency restriction does not apply if:
[Dkt. 70, Ex. 1 at 6]. This affirmative defense essentially means that a defendant that, at the time of the violation, was granted community services supervision and the judge determined that the one-thousand (1,000) foot restriction was waived or reduced, then that person has an affirmative defense to the application of the residency restriction. This affirmative defense does not allow for individualized findings of dangerousness. Moreover, even if it did, A. Duarte's risk level is currently moderate, and has been since its increase in March of 2009, indicating that he poses a moderate danger to the community and may continue to engage in criminal sexual conduct [Dkt. 70, Ex. 4 at 5-9], a finding that A. Duarte has not challenged with the Texas Department of Public Safety, or in these proceedings. As such, a finding of dangerousness is not relevant to the application of the Ordinance, and procedural due process does not entitle A. Duarte to a hearing to prove a fact that is not relevant to the City's Ordinance. Miller, 405 F.3d at 719; Conn. Dep't of Public Safety v. Doe, 538 U.S. 1, 7-8, 123 S.Ct. 1160, 155 L.Ed.2d 98 (2003); Doe v. Cuomo, 755 F.3d 105, 113 (2d Cir.2014). This applies regardless of whether the statutory scheme involves a sex offender registration statute or a sex offender residency restriction ordinance. Petro, 2005 WL 1038846, at *2. Accordingly, A. Duarte's procedural due process claim fails.
W. Duarte, S.D., and B.D. also assert a procedural due process claim against the City, arguing that they have a "fundamental right" and "liberty interest" to "reside with her husband... at the location of her choice" and of "parental consortium," including a right to a "custodial, caring, and nurturing relationship" with A. Duarte [Dkt. 70 at 33; Dkt. 84 at 33-34]. Like A. Duarte's procedural due process claim, the City argues that W. Duarte, S.D., and B.D.'s due process claims appear to be more akin to a substantive due process claim. However, W. Duarte, S.D., and B.D. confirm that their claims are procedural due process claims only, and this Court will treat it as such [Dkt. 84 at 33].
These three Plaintiffs contend that "the question is whether [the Ordinance], by imposing upon a family the dual [sic] of banishment or residential separation, infringes upon the liberty interest that is, at least in part, inherent in a family relationship" [Dkt. 84 at 33]. Plaintiffs fail to identify in either their Complaint or Response what procedure was lacking or inadequate. W. Duarte, S.D., and B.D. are not sex offenders and are not due any process under the Ordinance. As discussed supra, A. Duarte received all the process he was due, and Plaintiffs have not identified any further procedural requirements.
All Plaintiffs assert a claim for declaratory judgment, seeking the Court to declare the Ordinance unconstitutional. However, the Declaratory Judgment Act is remedial, and a party seeking declaratory relief must have an underlying cause of action. See Collin County, Texas v. Homeowners Assoc. for Values Essential to Neighborhoods, 915 F.2d 167, 170 (5th Cir.1990). This Court has recommended the dismissal of each of Plaintiffs' causes of action, and none remain. Moreover, Plaintiffs' declaratory judgment claim is duplicative of other relief that is requested by Plaintiffs' claims and should be dismissed for this additional reason. See Wuenschel v. Steris Corp., No. 4:10-CV-7, 2010 WL 1068156, at *2 (E.D.Tex. March 16, 2010) (citing Regus Management Group, LLC v. Int'l Bus. Machine Corp., No. 3:07-CV-1799-B, 2008 WL 2434245, at *4 (N.D. Tex. June 17, 2008) (dismissing declaratory judgment claim because it was duplicative of breach of contract claim and finding that "courts regularly reject declaratory judgment claims that seek resolution of matters that will already be resolved as part of the claims in the lawsuit"). Plaintiffs' declaratory judgment claim is duplicative of their claims for violations of the Ex Post Facto Clause, the Equal Protection Clause, and/or procedural due process, as they simply seek a declaration that the Ordinance is unconstitutional. For this additional reason, the Court recommends Plaintiffs' declaratory judgment claim be dismissed.
Plaintiffs seek a permanent injunction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1343, prohibiting the City from applying or enforcing
Moreover, a claim for injunctive relief is a remedy that does not stand alone, but requires a viable underlying legal claim. See Horne v. Time Warner Operations, Inc., 119 F.Supp.2d 624, 630 (S.D.Miss. 1999), aff'd by 228 F.3d 408 (5th Cir.2000). Because the Court has determined that there is no unconstitutional action at issue here, there is no deprivation, and A. Duarte is not entitled to injunctive relief. See Wolfer v. Thaler, 525 F.2d 977, 979 (5th Cir.1976), cert. denied, 425 U.S. 975, 96 S.Ct. 2176, 48 L.Ed.2d 800 (1976) (once defendant was absolved of liability for damages under Section 1983, a substantial controversy of sufficient immediacy and reality between the parties regarding the constitutionality of the law no longer existed); Horne, 119 F.Supp.2d at 630. For these reasons, the Court recommends Plaintiffs' claims for injunctive relief be dismissed.
Based on the foregoing, the Court recommends that Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment and Brief in Support [Dkt. 70] be
Additionally, the Court finds that Defendant's objection to Plaintiffs Exhibit 1 is
Within fourteen (14) days after service of the magistrate judge's report, any party must serve and file specific written objections to the findings and recommendations of the magistrate judge. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C). In order to be specific, an objection must identify the specific finding or recommendation to which objection is made, state the basis for the objection, and specify the place in the magistrate judge's report and recommendation where the disputed determination is found. An objection that merely incorporates by reference or refers to the briefing before the magistrate judge is not specific.
Failure to file specific, written objections will bar the party from appealing the unobjected — to factual findings and legal conclusions of the magistrate judge that are accepted by the district court, except upon grounds of plain error, provided that the party has been served with notice that such consequences will result from a failure to object. See Douglass v. United Services Automobile Ass'n, 79 F.3d 1415, 1417 (5th Cir.1996) (en banc), superceded by statute on other grounds, 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) (extending the time to file objections from ten to fourteen days).
Cleburne, 473 U.S. at 441-42, 105 S.Ct. 3249. Here, the individuals affected by the Ordinance have the "distinguishing characteristic" of being convicted child sex offenders, and there is no need to identify a second characteristic that distinguishes A. Duarte in relation to other child sex offenders. Accordingly, the legal "test" advocated by A. Duarte does not apply to his equal protection claim.
