Harmon v. Delaware Secretary of State

Opinions of the United
2005 Decisions States Court of Appeals
for the Third Circuit
11-8-2005
Harmon v. Secretary State DE
Precedential or Non-Precedential: Non-Precedential
Docket No. 04-2801
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NOT PRECEDENTIAL
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
NO. 04-2801
________________
CHRISTIAN HARMON,
Appellant
v.
STATE OF DELAWARE SECRETARY OF STATE; HENLEY GRAVES, Judge,
Individually and in his capacity as Judge in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware,
Sussex County; MICHAEL FARNAN, Individually and in his capacity as an Attorney at
Law; MERRITT BURKE III, Asst Public Defender, Individually and in his capacity as a
Public Defender for the State of Delaware, Sussex County; ATTORNEY GENERAL OF
THE STATE OF DELAWARE
___________________________________
On Appeal From the United States District Court
For the District of Delaware
(D.C. Civ. No. 03-cv-00759)
District Judge: Honorable Gregory M. Sleet
_______________________________________
Submitted Under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a)
December 21, 2004
Before: ALITO, SMITH and ROSENN, Circuit Judges
(Filed: November 8, 2005)
_______________________
OPINION
_______________________
PER CURIAM
In 1999, Christian Harmon was arrested in Delaware on drug-related charges.
During his criminal proceedings, Harmon was apparently represented by several
attorneys, including Michael Farnan and Sussex County Public Defender Merritt Burke
III. On June 15, 1999, Harmon pled guilty to possession with intent to deliver marijuana
before Superior Court Judge Henley Graves, and entered the Delaware Superior Court
Drug Diversion Program.1
In July 2003, Harmon filed the underlying complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware regarding his 1999
criminal proceedings. In his complaint, Harmon alleged that Farnan violated his rights to
due process, equal protection, and the effective assistance of counsel by engaging in the
unauthorized practice of law.2 Harmon also alleged that Burke violated his right to the
effective assistance of counsel by failing to question witnesses or provide their statements
to the prosecution. Finally, Harmon alleged that Judge Graves violated his rights to due
process and equal protection by allowing Farnan to engage in the unauthorized practice of
law. Harmon sought compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a declaratory
judgment that his 1999 conviction is invalid. On May 21, 2004, the District Court sua
1
It is not clear from the record how long Harmon was to participate in the
diversion program, or whether he successfully completed it.
2
Harmon seems to allege that Farnan is an attorney, but that he has not been
properly admitted to the Delaware bar.
2
sponte dismissed Harmon’s complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). This timely
appeal followed.
To state a viable § 1983 claim, a plaintiff must allege facts showing a deprivation
of a constitutional right, privilege or immunity by a person acting under color of state
law.3 See Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327, 330 (1986). It is well-established that
defense attorneys, no matter whether they are privately retained, court-appointed, or
employed as public defenders, do not act under color of state law. See Polk County v.
Dodson, 454 U.S. 312, 318 (1991). Accordingly, because Farnan and Burke were not
“state actors,” the District Court properly dismissed Harmon’s § 1983 damages claims
against them.
Likewise, it is a well-established principle that a judge is absolutely immune from
suit for damages under § 1983 when he acts in a judicial capacity. “A judge will not be
3
In an argument made for the first time on appeal, Harmon contends that the
defendants conspired to deprive him of his constitutional rights. Because this issue was
not raised before the District Court, it has been waived and we decline to address it on the
merits. We do note, however, that if this issue were properly before us, it would fail.
Allegations of conspiracy may form the basis of a § 1983 claim. “However, a plaintiff
must allege specific facts showing an agreement and concerted action amongst the
defendants. ‘Conclusory allegations of conspiracy are insufficient to state a valid § 1983
claim.’” Tonkovich v. Kansas Bd. Of Regents, 159 F.3d 504, 533 (10th Cir.1998)
(quoting Hunt v. Bennett, 17 F.3d 1263, 1266 (10th Cir. 1994)). Thus, to state a
conspiracy-based § 1983 claim, a plaintiff must allege the specific conduct violating his
or her rights, the time and place of that conduct, and the identity of the responsible
officials. See Oatess v. Sobolevitch, 914 F.2d 428, 431 n. 8 (3d Cir. 1990). Harmon has
failed to allege such facts, or any facts for that matter, to substantiate an allegation of
conspiracy.
3
deprived of immunity because the action he took was in error, was done maliciously, or
was in excess of his authority; rather, he will be subject to liability only when he has acted
in the ‘clear absence of all jurisdiction.’” Stump v. Sparkman, 435 U.S. 349, 356-57
(1978) (citation omitted). Here, Harmon’s complaint consists entirely of allegations
regarding the actions taken by Judge Graves in his judicial capacity while presiding over
Harmon’s 1999 criminal proceedings. Harmon makes no allegations that would support a
determination that Judge Graves acted in the complete absence of all jurisdiction.
Accordingly, the District Court properly dismissed Harmon’s damages claim against
Judge Graves.
Finally, we agree with the District Court’s determination that, to the extent
Harmon seeks to challenge the fact or duration of his conviction or sentence, his sole
remedy is a federal petition for writ of habeas corpus. See Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S.
475, 488-90 (1973). See also Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 487 (1994); Edwards v.
Balisok, 520 U.S. 641, 648 (1997).
Accordingly, for the foregoing reasons we will affirm the District Court’s May 21,
2004 order dismissing Harmon’s complaint. The motion by Harmon to strike the
appellees’ supplemental appendix is denied.
4