Verlee Albert Jr. v. Sherri Adelstein, Judge Douglas M. Robison, Paul Johnson, and Judge L. Dee Shipman ( 2013 )

COURT OF APPEALS
SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS
FORT WORTH
NO. 02-13-00073-CV
VERLEE ALBERT JR. APPELLANT
V.
SHERRI ADELSTEIN, JUDGE APPELLEES
DOUGLAS M. ROBISON, PAUL
JOHNSON, AND JUDGE L. DEE
SHIPMAN
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FROM THE 393RD DISTRICT COURT OF DENTON COUNTY
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MEMORANDUM OPINION1
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I. INTRODUCTION
In ten issues,2 Appellant Verlee Albert Jr., an inmate in the Ellis Unit of the
Texas Department of Criminal Justice, appeals pro se from the trial court‘s
dismissal of his suit with prejudice. We will affirm.
1
See Tex. R. App. P. 47.4.
II. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Albert sued Appellees Denton County District Clerk Sherri Adelstein,
Judge Douglas M. Robison, District Attorney Paul Johnson, and Judge L. Dee
Shipman in their official capacities. Albert‘s complaints and amended
complaints3 include allegations that Adelstein, Johnson, Judge Shipman, and
Judge Robison committed a wide variety of errors and abuses impacting his
2008 criminal trial and his subsequent attempts to file a petition for writ of habeas
corpus.4 Albert sought a declaratory judgment that his rights under ―due course
of law‖ and under the United States Constitution were violated and requested a
permanent injunction requiring Johnson, Adelstein, and Judge Shipman to
comply with ―due course of law‖ and all statutes and rules of court.
2
The nine issues listed in Albert‘s ―Issues Presented‖ section differ slightly
from the ten issues listed in his ―Summary Of The Arguments‖ section in his brief,
which also differ slightly from the eight issues argued in Albert‘s brief. We will
focus our analysis on the issues addressed in the argument sections in Albert‘s
brief.
3
It appears that Albert actually intended for his ―amended‖ filings to
supplement rather than amend his prior filings. We broadly construe Albert‘s
motions to amend and his amended complaints as supplementing his original
complaint, and we treat his pleadings as raising all matters set forth in all of his
filings. See Tex. R. App. P. 38.9. The one exception is Albert‘s second
amended complaint, which we disregard because it does not appear to be
related to this case as it seeks a permanent injunction against people and entities
that are not parties to the underlying case or this appeal.
4
Albert was convicted of aggravated robbery of a person sixty-five years or
older. See Albert v. State, No. 02-07-00373-CR, 2008 WL 2330941 (Tex. App.—
Fort Worth June 5, 2008, pet. ref‘d) (mem. op., do not publish) (involving appeal
from conviction).
2
Judge Robison, through his counsel the Attorney General of Texas,
answered and filed a plea to the jurisdiction. Adelstein, Johnson, and Judge
Shipman were not served with citation and did not answer. The Attorney
General, on behalf of all Appellees as amicus curiae, filed a motion to dismiss all
claims as frivolous under chapter 14 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies
Code. The trial court held a hearing on Judge Robison‘s plea to the jurisdiction
and Appellees‘ motion to dismiss as frivolous, and the trial court granted both.
This appeal followed.
III. ANALYSIS OF ALBERT’S ISSUES
A. No Abuse of Discretion by Dismissing Suit as Frivolous
In his first and sixth issues, Albert argues that the trial court abused its
discretion by dismissing his claims.
A trial court may dismiss an inmate‘s claim pursuant to chapter 14 upon
finding that a lawsuit is malicious or frivolous. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann.
§ 14.003 (West 2002). In making this determination, the trial court may consider
whether (1) the claim‘s realistic chance of ultimate success is slight, (2) the claim
has no arguable basis in law or fact, (3) it is clear that the party cannot prove
facts in support of the claim, or (4) the claim is substantially similar to a previous
claim filed by the inmate because the claim arises from the same operative facts.
Id. § 14.003(b). When the trial court rules on a motion to dismiss under chapter
14 without an evidentiary hearing, the trial court determines whether the lawsuit
is ―frivolous‖ by determining ―whether the claim had no arguable basis in law‖ or
3
in fact. Moreland v. Johnson, 95 S.W.3d 392, 394 (Tex. App.––Houston [1st
Dist.] 2002, no pet.).
We review a trial court‘s dismissal of a suit pursuant to chapter 14 for an
abuse of discretion. Bishop v. Lawson, 131 S.W.3d 571, 574 (Tex. App.—Fort
Worth 2004, pet. denied). ―In conducting our review, we take as true the
allegations in the inmate‘s petition and review the types of relief and causes of
action set out therein to determine whether, as a matter of law, the petition stated
a cause of action that would authorize relief.‖ Leachman v. Dretke, 261 S.W.3d
297, 304 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2008, no pet.) (op. on reh‘g). A decision to
dismiss will be affirmed if it is proper under any legal theory. Johnson v.
Lynaugh, 796 S.W.2d 705, 706–07 (Tex. 1990).
On behalf of Appellees, the Attorney General contends that dismissal was
proper because Albert‘s claims have no arguable basis in law. The Attorney
General argues that because Appellees were sued for acts committed in their
respective official capacities,5 judicial immunity and derived judicial immunity
barred Albert‘s claims, and Albert‘s ultimate realistic chance of success was,
therefore, slight.
5
A suit against an official in his official capacity ―seeks to impose liability
against the governmental unit rather than on the individual specifically named
and ‗is, in all respects other than name, . . . a suit against the entity.‘‖ Tex. A&M
Univ. Sys. v. Koseoglu, 233 S.W.3d 835, 844 (Tex. 2007) (quoting Ky. v.
Graham, 473 U.S. 159, 166, 105 S. Ct. 3099, 3105 (1985)). Albert has
consistently urged that he is suing Appellees in their official capacities only.
4
Albert‘s complaints are based upon acts Appellees allegedly performed in
their official capacities as an integral part of the judicial process. As judicial
officers, Appellees Judge Robison and Judge Shipman are entitled to judicial
immunity, a form of absolute immunity, from liability for judicial acts performed
within the scope of their jurisdiction. See, e.g., Stump v. Sparkman, 435 U.S.
349, 356–57, 98 S. Ct. 1099, 1105 (1978) (explaining that judicial immunity
extends to actions that are done in error, maliciously, and even in excess of the
judge‘s authority); see also Twilligear v. Carrell, 148 S.W.3d 502, 505 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2004, pet. denied). As the District Attorney of Denton
County, Appellee Johnson is entitled to derived judicial immunity, also a form of
absolute immunity, for actions intimately associated with the judicial phase of the
criminal process—including actions in connection with his prosecution of Albert
for aggravated robbery of a person sixty-five years or older. See, e.g., Imbler v.
Pachtman, 424 U.S. 409, 430–31, 96 S. Ct. 984, 995 (1976) (recognizing that
prosecutors have absolute immunity to suits under 42 U.S.C. § 1983); Charleston
v. Pate, 194 S.W.3d 89, 91 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2006, no pet.) (stating that
district attorneys and prosecutors are absolutely immune when performing their
prosecutorial functions). And Appellee Adelstein is likewise entitled to either
judicial immunity or derived judicial immunity because Albert sued her in her
official capacity for actions taken in her role as the District Clerk of Denton
County. See, e.g., Martinez v. Hardy, 864 S.W.2d 767, 772–73 (Tex. App.—
Houston [14th Dist.] 1993, no writ) (concluding that district clerk was protected by
5
immunity). Albert‘s claims against all Appellees are barred by immunity and have
no realistic chance of success unless they fall within some exception to the
applicable immunity doctrines.
In a suit against a governmental entity, the plaintiff must affirmatively
demonstrate the court‘s jurisdiction by alleging a valid waiver of immunity. See
Tex. Dep’t of Criminal Justice v. Miller, 51 S.W.3d 583, 587 (Tex. 2001); Tex.
Ass’n of Bus. v. Tex. Air Control Bd., 852 S.W.2d 440, 446 (Tex. 1993). Under
the ultra vires exception, immunity ―does not preclude prospective injunctive
remedies in official-capacity suits against government actors who violate
statutory or constitutional provisions.‖ City of El Paso v. Heinrich, 284 S.W.3d
366, 368–69 (Tex. 2009); see Tex. Dep’t of Transp. v. Sefzik, 355 S.W.3d 618,
620, 623 (Tex. 2011). To invoke this ultra vires exception, it must be shown that
the officer acted without legal authority or failed to perform a purely ministerial
act. Heinrich, 284 S.W.3d at 372.
Here, the trial court did not conduct an evidentiary hearing, and Albert‘s
pleadings contain no allegations of how any Appellee acted without legal
authority or failed to perform a purely ministerial act. Although Albert makes
general allegations in his pleadings and in his appellate brief that Appellees
acted without legal authority and failed to perform ministerial acts, he fails to
identify any specific acts taken by Appellees without legal authority or any
6
specific acts that Appellees had a ministerial duty to perform.6 General
allegations of lack of legal authority and of failure to perform ministerial duties do
not satisfy Albert‘s burden to allege facts that, if true, affirmatively demonstrate
the trial court‘s jurisdiction over his claims against Appellees. See Tex. Dep’t of
Parks & Wildlife v. Miranda, 133 S.W.3d 217, 225–26 (Tex. 2004) (recognizing
that plaintiff bears burden of alleging facts that affirmatively demonstrate trial
court‘s jurisdiction). Construing Albert‘s multiple amended pleadings as
supplementations, construing all of his pleadings liberally in his favor, and
accepting all of the factual allegations set forth in his pleadings to be true, no
facts are alleged that could result in application of the ultra vires exception to
Albert‘s claims against Appellees in their official capacities for their conduct in
connection with Albert‘s criminal charges and trial.
Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by
granting Appellees‘ motion to dismiss and by dismissing Albert‘s lawsuit as
frivolous; no arguable legal basis exists for application of the ultra vires exception
to Appellees‘ immunity. Albert possesses no realistic chance of ultimate success
on the merits of his claims against Appellees in their official capacities. See
Higgins v. Blount, No. 07-12-00093-CV, 2013 WL 2244118, at *4 (Tex. App.—
Amarillo May 17, 2013, pet. filed) (mem. op.) (upholding frivolous determination
6
For example, Albert alleges that Judge Shipman ―concealed 5 grounds in
his [Albert‘s] writ of habeas corpus.‖ He alleges that ―defendants exceeded
statutory authority during state habeas proceedings and during his original trial
[for aggravated robbery of a person sixty-five years or older].‖
7
and dismissal of inmate‘s lawsuit filed against judge and two assistant district
attorneys based on allegations of errors from inmate‘s criminal trial); Hailey v.
Glaser, No. 06-12-00065-CV, 2012 WL 5872869, at *3 (Tex. App.—Texarkana
Nov. 21, 2012, no pet.) (mem. op.) (upholding frivolous determination and
dismissal of inmate‘s lawsuit against judge, district attorney, and district clerk).
We overrule Albert‘s first and sixth issues.7
B. No Abuse of Discretion by Failing to Rule on Pending Motions
In his second issue, Albert argues that the trial court abused its discretion
by allowing his ―rights to new trial‖ to be overruled by operation of law. The
record before us does not contain a motion for new trial, and Albert does not
argue that he filed one. Instead, he claims that he objected during the dismissal
hearing to Appellees‘ failure to respond to his request for admissions, his
summary judgment motion, and his motion for default judgment and concludes
his argument under this issue by stating that the trial court abused its discretion
by ―allowing motions to be over[]ruled by operations of law.‖ Because, as
discussed above, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by dismissing Albert‘s
claims as frivolous, the trial court had no obligation to rule on Albert‘s pending
motions. Nabelek v. Dist. Att’y of Harris Cnty., 290 S.W.3d 222, 232 (Tex.
7
Having determined that the trial court properly dismissed Albert‘s claims
against Appellees as frivolous, we need not address Albert‘s fourth issue
concerning Judge Robison‘s plea to the jurisdiction. See Tex. R. App. P. 47.4
(stating that appellate court need address every issue necessary for final
disposition of appeal). The argument section of Albert‘s brief does not contain a
fifth issue.
8
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2005, pet. denied). Moreover, any possible error by
the trial court in failing to rule on Albert‘s motions was harmless in light of the trial
court‘s determination that Albert‘s lawsuit was frivolous. See Tex. R. App. P.
44.1(a). We overrule Albert‘s second issue.
C. No Abuse of Discretion by Allowing Attorney General
to Appear as Amicus Curiae
In his third issue, Albert argues that the trial court abused its discretion by
allowing the Attorney General to improperly and inappropriately represent
Appellees as amicus curiae. The Texas Attorney General has constitutional and
statutory authority to represent the State of Texas and its officials. See Tex.
Const. art. IV, § 22; Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 104.004 (West 2011);
Tex. Gov‘t Code Ann. § 402.021 (West 2013). Courts may entertain suggestions
from an amicus curiae, who, as a ―friend of the court,‖ makes suggestions to the
court about questions apparent from the record in the case. See Kelley v. Scott,
No. 14-01-00696-CV, 2003 WL 21229275, at *1 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]
May 29, 2003, no pet.) (mem. op.) (citing State v. Jefferson Iron Co., 60 Tex.
312, 314–15 (1883); Moseby v. Burrow, 52 Tex. 396, 403 (1880); Jackson v.
Birk, 84 S.W.2d 332, 333 (Tex. Civ. App.—Fort Worth 1935, no writ)). An amicus
curiae is not a party to the suit and may only make suggestions to the court; the
court can only take actions that it could have taken in the absence of the
suggestions from the amicus curiae. See id.
9
The Attorney General, on behalf of all Appellees as amicus curiae, filed a
motion to dismiss all claims as frivolous under chapter 14. Under chapter 14 of
the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, the trial court has the power to
dismiss an inmate‘s suit on a party‘s motion or on the trial court‘s own motion.
See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 14.003(c). Because the trial court
possessed the power pursuant to chapter 14 to dismiss Albert‘s suit against
Appellees, even without a motion by any party, the trial court cannot have
abused its discretion by permitting the Attorney General to file a motion to
dismiss as amicus curiae for Appellees. See Kelley, 2003 WL 21229275, at *1.
We overrule Albert‘s third issue.
D. No Abuse of Discretion by Abating Discovery
In his seventh issue, Albert argues that the trial court abused its discretion
by allowing the abatement of discovery from Appellees. Under chapter 14,
however, ―the trial court shall suspend discovery‖ pending a determination of
frivolousness. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 14.003(d). The trial court did
not abuse its discretion by abating discovery. We overrule Albert‘s seventh
issue.
E. No Abuse of Discretion by Failing to Appoint Counsel
In his eighth issue,8 Albert argues that the trial court abused its discretion
by failing to appoint counsel for him because his case is exceptional. Section
8
In his eighth issue listed in his summary of the arguments, Albert stated,
―Texas Rules of Civil Procedure require the court[‘]s clerk to keep an accurate
10
24.016 of the Texas Government Code states that a district judge ―may‖ appoint
counsel for an indigent civil litigant. Tex. Gov‘t Code Ann. § 24.016 (West 2004).
The general rule is that a court does not abuse its discretion by refusing to
appoint such counsel unless the case is ―exceptional.‖ See Hines v. Massey, 79
S.W.3d 269, 272 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2002, no pet.). Because the trial court
determined that Albert‘s litigation was frivolous under section 14.003(a)(1) and
(2), and because we have found no abuse of discretion in that determination, we
decline to hold that the trial court abused its discretion by failing to appoint
counsel to pursue the frivolous litigation. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann.
§ 14.003(a)(1), (2); accord Gibson v. Tolbert, 102 S.W.3d 710, 713 (Tex. 2003)
(holding no abuse of discretion occurred by failure to appoint counsel for inmate
suing prison doctor for medical malpractice); Hines, 79 S.W.3d at 272 (declining
to require appointment of appellate counsel because inmate‘s litigation was
procedurally barred under chapter 14). We overrule Albert‘s eighth issue.
F. No Abuse of Discretion by Dismissing with Prejudice
In his ninth issue, Albert argues that the trial court abused its discretion by
dismissing his lawsuit with prejudice. When reviewing a dismissal with prejudice
under chapter 14, we consider whether the inmate could correct the error through
court docket of all filings. Here[,] the trial court has failed to require the clerk to
maintain such docket, which is error and abuse of discretion.‖ To the extent that
Albert intended to raise this issue, we overrule it as inadequately briefed. See
Tex. R. App. P. 38.1; Fredonia State Bank v. Gen. Am. Life Ins. Co., 881 S.W.2d
279, 284 (Tex. 1994) (observing that error may be waived by inadequate
briefing).
11
a more specific pleading. See Hickman v. Adams, 35 S.W.3d 120, 124 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2000, no pet.). Dismissal with prejudice is improper
only if the plaintiff‘s failure can be remedied. Id. Here, immunity bars Albert‘s
claims against Appellees in their official capacities; no indication exists that Albert
could assert viable claims if given a chance to replead.9 We hold that the trial
court did not abuse its discretion by dismissing Albert‘s lawsuit with prejudice.
See Hailey, 2012 WL 5872869, at *4 (holding dismissal with prejudice proper
because governmental immunity barred claims so inmate could not cure error by
more specific pleadings); accord Hamilton v. Williams, 298 S.W.3d 334, 342
(Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009, pet. denied) (holding dismissal with prejudice
proper because appellant, who had failed to exhaust his administrative remedies,
could not cure error by more specific pleading). We overrule Albert‘s ninth issue.
IV. CONCLUSION
Having overruled each of Albert‘s issues necessary for final disposition of
the appeal, we affirm the trial court‘s judgment.
PER CURIAM
PANEL: WALKER, J.; LIVINGSTON, C.J.; and MEIER, J.
DELIVERED: August 8, 2013
9
Albert‘s complaints of Appellees‘ errors and omissions in connection with
his criminal charges and trial should have been raised in his appeal. See Albert,
2008 WL 2330941.
12