John Fial v. Hon. Meagan A. Flynn, in her official capacity as Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court; Nancy Cozine, in her official capacity as State Court Administrator of Oregon; and Casey Codding, in his official capacity as Superintendent of the Oregon State Police

Summary

The United States District Court for the District of Oregon adopted a magistrate judge’s Findings and Recommendation in full after conducting de novo review of the plaintiff’s objections. The court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss and dismissed John Fial’s complaint without leave to amend because amendment would be futile.

Holdings

1. When a party objects to specified portions of a magistrate judge's Findings and Recommendation, the district court must make a de novo determination of those portions; review of unobjected-to portions is not required.
2. Defendants' motion to dismiss was granted, and Plaintiff's complaint was dismissed.
3. Leave to amend was denied because amendment would be futile and Plaintiff could not state a plausible basis for relief.

Questions Presented

1. What standard of review governs a district court's review of the portions of a magistrate judge's Findings and Recommendation to which a party objects?
2. Whether Defendants' motion to dismiss should be granted.
3. Whether Plaintiff should be permitted to amend the complaint.

Disposition

dismissed