Opinion
02 Civ. 5602 (VM)
January 15, 2003
Wuyi Ogunyinka, Anthony Bernard, P.C., Bronx, NY, for Plaintiffs.
DECISION AND ORDER
Plaintiff Derrell Alleyne ("Alleyne") originally filed this action in this Court on July 19, 2002, seeking relief for various civil rights violations, on his own behalf and on behalf of his natural children, Keyshawna Alleyne, Kibin Alleyne and Edward Alleyne (collectively, the Children) Alleyne amended The complaint: on August 15, 2002 (the "Complaint"). On September 30, 2002, the Court dismissed this action, sua sponte, for lack of subject matter jurisdiction "upon such terms and conditions as it deem[ed] proper," 211 F.3d 697, 700 (2d Cir. 2000) ("Failure of subject matter jurisdiction is not waivable and may be raised at any time by a party or by the court sua sponte"). Oddly, the City, which argued just months ago that this Court lacked jurisdiction over Alleyne's claim and urged dismissal in favor of consideration of the underlying issues in a state proceeding involving the same parties and operative events, has now decided to remove the same case to this Court from state court.
The factual background of this case was explained fully in Alleyne I, but the Court repeats the most relevant facts briefly. 225 F. Supp.2d at 392-393. The Complaint concerns a proceeding before the New York State Family Court, Bronx County (the "State Proceeding"). The State Proceeding was commenced in response to a report that the Children had been abused. During the State Proceeding, the Children were placed in foster care. In April of 1999, the Family Court found that Alleyne and defendant Shawana Hatchett abused the Children directly and derivatively. See In the Matter of Alleyne Children, No. NA-11131-33/98, Slip. op. at 1 (N.Y. Fain. Ct. July 5, 2001). Proceedings to terminate Alleyne's parental rights were commenced. In September of 2001, Alleyne surrendered his children for adoption.
In the instant case, as in Alleyne I, Alleyne seeks injunctive relief that effectively would end the State Proceeding and return full custody of his children. Alleyne also seeks compensatory damages, costs and fees. Alleyne argues that the actions of Defendants, which were already considered by the State Proceeding, violated his rights to family integrity. Alleyne also argues that the State Proceeding violated Alleyne's right to family integrity because custody decisions are made on the basis of the "best interests of the child." Further, he alleges that the State Proceeding violated due process because at various times he was not afforded an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses, and various City officials exceeded authority in unspecified ways. (See Compl. ¶ 17, 19.) Finally, Alleyne asserts that the Family Court "terrorize[d] and harass[ed]" him in a manner that compelled him to surrender two of his children for adoption. (Compl. ¶ 18.)
In Alleyne I, the court found that the Rooker-Feldman doctrine barred direct review of the State Proceeding by this Court. 225 F. Supp.2d at 393-394. The reasoning that led the Court to dismiss the case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction previously onRooker-Feldman grounds applies equally here on removal. Therefore, the Court has already determined that it lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this case.
The "Rooker-Feldman" doctrine refers to the holdings in Rooker v. Fidelity Trust Co., 263 U.S. 413, 416 (1923) and District of Columbia v. Feldman, 460 U.S. 462, 482-83 (1983), that the United States Supreme Court is the exclusive forum for appellate review of state court decisions concerning federal laws. See generally Harris v. New York State Dep't of Health, 202 F. Supp.2d 143, 158 (S.D.N.Y. 2002).
In addition, in Alleyne I, the Court held that because the State Proceeding involved the important, traditional state interest of family relations and was adequate to resolve plaintiff's constitutional claims, the doctrine of abstention applied. Alleyne I, 255 F. Supp.2d at 294. The abstention doctrine does not apply upon removal of the entire case, because this Court's jurisdiction would no longer interfere with a currently pending state court action, which is an essential element ofYounger abstention. See Younger v. Harris, 410 U.S. 37, 43-45 (1971); see also Middlesex County Ethics Comm. v. Garden State Bar Ass'n, 457 U.S. 423, 431-32 (1982); In re Burns Wilcox, Ltd., 54 F.3d 475, 477 (8th Cir. 1995) (abstention inappropriate where entire state action is removed to federal court).
Alleyne also argue that this court should grant their motion to remand because City Defendant has fail to comply with a number of procedural requirements. Since the Court has already determined that subject matter jurisdiction does not exist in this Court, the lack of subject matter jurisdiction is sufficient to remand the action and the Court will not consider these alleged procedural violations.
The Rooker-Feldman doctrine "rests on the principle that a United States District Court has no authority to review final judgments of a state court in judicial proceedings." Doctor's Associates, Inc. v. Distajo, 107 F.3d 126, 137 (2d Cir. 1997) (citations omitted). Since only the Supreme Court can entertain an appeal to reverse or modify a state court judgment, "to the extent that the plaintiff's claims [are] 'inextricably intertwined' with the state court's determinations, the federal district court [does] not have jurisdiction." Moccio v. New York State Office of Court Admin., 95 F.3d 195, 198 (2d Cir. 1996) (citingFeldman, 460 U.S. at 482-84 n. 16). Furthermore, as explained in Alleyne I, "a party may not evade these rules and principles of federalism by recasting his claims pending in state court as a civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983." Alleyne I, 225 F. Supp.2d at 394 (citingMurray v. Administration of Children's Services, No. 98 Civ. 7356, 1999 WL 33869, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 25, 1999)).
In essence, what Alleyne seeks in the action the City has now removed to this Court is a finding that the State Proceeding was legally flawed; however, this Court is not the appropriate forum for such judicial review. Alleyne's § 1983 claim constitutes a direct challenge to the validity of the Family Court's interlocutory orders and judgments; and therefore, under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine, this court lacks jurisdiction over Alleyne's claims for damages and injunctive relief. See Murray, 1999 WL 33869, at * 2 plaintiff's claims were barred to the extent they represented a direct challenge to the validity of the one or more of the Family Court's decisions); Phifer v. City of New York, 289 F.3d 49, 55-56 (2d Cir. 2002) (district court barred by theRooker-Feldman doctrine from reviewing Family court's determinations).
Accordingly, further to the decision already rendered by this court inAlleyne I, which decision should be entirely familiar to the City which removed this case from state court, this case is remanded to the Supreme Court of New York, Bronx County, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c) for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
Plaintiff also requests sanctions, specifically in the form of a reward of attorney's fees, pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 11. The Court does not find sanctions necessary or appropriate in this case.
ORDER
For the foregoing reasons, it is herebyORDERED that this action is remanded to the New York Supreme Court, Bronx County, for lack of this Court's subject matter jurisdiction.
The Clerk of the Court is directed to close this case.