Jeffery Stinson v. United States District Court

Summary

The United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky dismissed Jeffery Stinson’s pro se prisoner civil-rights action following screening under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. The court construed the claims against the United States District Court as arising under Bivens, but held that Bivens does not authorize damages claims against the United States or a federal governmental entity. The action was dismissed for failure to state a claim and because the defendant was immune from monetary relief.

Holdings

1. Section 1983 applies to civil-rights claims against state or local governmental actors, not federal actors; therefore, the United States District Court and its employees were not subject to suit under § 1983.
2. A Bivens action for damages may not be brought against the United States or a federal governmental agency or entity.
3. The action was subject to dismissal for failure to state a claim and for seeking monetary relief from a defendant immune from such relief.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the United States District Court and its employees could be sued under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
2. Whether the complaint could proceed as a Bivens action against the United States District Court.
3. Whether the defendant was immune from a Bivens claim for monetary relief.

Disposition

dismissed