Nazareth v. The State of California

Background

Yah'Oshai Bin Nazareth, who was confined at Atascadero State Prison and proceeded without a lawyer, filed a civil-rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the State of California and the California Department of State Hospitals. The court conducted the preliminary screening required for a prisoner's complaint seeking relief from a governmental entity.

Claims

Nazareth alleged a “series of violations under the 6th Amendment,” along with damages, loss of property, and lost wages. He alleged that the State of California entered his property into a contract through “duress and undue influence,” that he represented Marcus James Pledgure, and that he did not consent to the State presiding over his property. He also alleged that the State infringed his rights to obtain a commercial advantage and asserted that the contract should be extinguished.

Court’s analysis

The court found that Nazareth's allegations that he was the “representative” of himself were incomprehensible and had no plausible legal or factual basis. The court also found that he did not explain the nature or terms of the alleged contract, identify the contract, explain how the defendants breached it, or show how any breach violated federal law.

The court stated that the Sixth Amendment does not apply to contracts. It also explained that equal protection requires like treatment for similarly situated people and was not implicated by the allegations. In addition, the court held that the State of California and the California Department of State Hospitals were immune from damages under the Eleventh Amendment. The court concluded that Nazareth had not stated a cognizable claim for relief and found no possibility that the problems could be cured by amendment.

Disposition

Judge Jeffrey S. White dismissed the complaint without leave to amend. The clerk was directed to enter judgment and close the file.