Opinion
No. 01-09-00019-CV
Opinion issued June 3, 2010.
On Appeal from the 412th District Court Brazoria County, Texas, Trial Court Case No. 49974.
Panel consists of Justices KEYES, HANKS, and HIGLEY.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Appellant, Kenneth Hickman-Bey, who is incarcerated and represents himself pro se, challenges the trial court's order dismissing his case for failure "to state a cause of action as a matter of law." In four issues, Hickman-Bey argues that he stated a cause of action (1) for official oppression; (2) for racial and religious discrimination; (3) for violations of the Texas Public Information Act; and (4) for violations of the Fourteenth Amendment.
We affirm.
Background
On November 5, 2008, Hickman-Bey filed his original petition seeking "declaratory and injunctive relief" against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and Sergeant W. Ward, in his official capacity. Hickman-Bey alleged that Ward, who is involved in security threat group management, improperly identified him as a gang member, resulting in denial of his parole, and that Ward "provided false information [to the parole board] that [Hickman-Bey] was knowingly in contact with gang members and was actively involved in gang activity." The petition specifically stated that Ward identified Hickman-Bey as a gang member based on his "association with a prison clique," the "Mandingo Warriors, [who] are not considered a gang" and that the "false information" Ward provided related to "some secret isolated incident in 2006." Hickman-Bey also alleged that "[t]he Security Threat Group Management has secret rules[,] regulations, [and] policies" to which inmates do not have access. Hickman-Bey's petition also states that he is listed as a member of the Moorish Science Temple of America, which is a religion recognized by TDCJ "but [is] also associated with being a gang." Hickman-Bey also alleged that "[a]n advocate acting on [his] behalf requested information in the form of the alleged rules, regulations and policies STGM operates and [his] STG file," which was denied.
The notice of parole panel decision contained in the record stated that Hickman-Bey was denied parole, and provided three reasons, though it stated that only one was required. First, it stated that Hickman-Bey committed "one or more violent criminal acts indicating a conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others" that also had "elements of brutality, violence, or conscious selection of victim's vulnerability such that the inmate poses an undue threat to the public" and stated that Hickman-Bey used a weapon. Second, it stated that Hickman-Bey "has repeatedly committed criminal episodes or has a pattern of similar offenses that indicates a predisposition to commit criminal acts when released" and that he "is a leader or active participant in gang or organized criminal activity." Finally, it stated that his parole was denied for "continued participation in gang activity."
Hickman-Bey alleged that he "is subject to Official Oppression by Ward, [because] as a matter of law a public servant acting under color of his office commits an offense by intentionally denying or impeding another in the exercise of enjoyment of any right or privilege." He also alleged that Ward's actions violated his "civil rights as a prisoner" and were the result of racial and religious discrimination. Specifically, Hickman-Bey's petition stated that Ward "has a proven history of primarily focusing abuses of his authority on former and present suspected black gang members" and that, while Ward at times monitors Hispanic and white members, "[h]is records will [reflect] that he targets only black inmates." The petition also stated that Hickman-Bey "has been discriminated against in being considered a gang member" because of his association with the Moorish Science Temple. Hickman-Bey also alleged that he was "denied due process of law in being denied an opportunity to be heard" regarding his grievance against Ward and "in being subject to secret rules." He alleged that "the defendants are in violation of the Texas [Public Information] Act in refusing to disclose records and evidence used against [him] for the purpose of investigation and clearing him of charges."
Hickman-Bey refers to this in his petition and in his brief as a claim under the "Open Records Act." The Texas Public Information Act was formerly known as the Texas Open Records Act. See Thomas v. Cornyn, 71 S.W.3d 473, 478 (Tex. App.-Austin 2002, no pet.) (citing Act of May 29, 1995 74th Leg., R.S., ch. 1035, § 1, 1995 Tex. Gen. Laws 5127). Thus we construe his pleadings and brief as alleging a cause of action under the Texas Public Information Act. See TEX. GOV'T CODE ANN. §§ 552.001-.353 (Vernon 2004 Supp. 2009).
Hickman-Bey specifically requested an interlocutory injunction ordering that Ward "not alter or remove any existing records in plaintiffs security threat group file," an injunction "that will order TDCJ-CID to provide any and all agents of plaintiff with cop[ies] of his security threat group file" upon a request under the Texas Public Information Act, an injunction "that will order TDCJ-CID to reinstate plaintiff as an ex-gang member," and a "permanent injunction that will disclose rules[,] regulations and policies of the security threat group department." Hickman-Bey also requested declaratory judgments "that Ward violated plaintiff['s] rights as a prisoner," "that Ward subjected plaintiff to official oppression," and "that Ward subjected plaintiff [to] denial of due process and discrimination because of his race [and/or] religion."
The petition was accompanied by an unsworn declaration of his inability to pay the filing fee and the cost of citation. As required by Chapter 14 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Hickman-Bey's petition was also accompanied by an affidavit of exhaustion of the grievance system and the necessary documents from the grievance process and an affidavit detailing his previous court filings.
Chapter 14 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code governs suits filed by indigent inmates. TEX. CIV. PRAC. REM. CODE ANN. § 14.002 (Vernon 2002). Indigent inmates are required to file an affidavit or declaration of previous court filings and, when filing a claim that is subject to the grievance system established under Texas Government Code section 501.008, an affidavit or unsworn declaration with information about the grievance process and a copy of the written decision from the grievance system. TEX. CIV. PRAC. REM. CODE ANN. §§ 14.004-.005 (Vernon 2002).
On December 12, 2008, before process was served on the defendants, the trial court dismissed Hickman-Bey's case, stating,
Appellees, TDCJ and Ward, did not appear in the trial court and did not file a brief on appeal.
On this date the court reviewed the pleadings in the above referenced cause. It appearing that the plaintiff has failed to state a cause of action as a matter of law, it is ordered that the cause is dismissed with prejudice to the rights of the Plaintiff to refile the same.
The trial court subsequently gave notice to Hickman-Bey of its dismissal order, and this appeal followed.
Dismissal of Indigent Inmate Appeals
Under Chapter 14 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, governing inmate litigation, a trial court may dismiss an inmate suit brought in forma pauperis either before or after service of process by finding that it is frivolous or malicious. TEX. CIV. PRAC. REM. CODE ANN. § 14.003(a)(2) (Vernon 2002). In determining whether a claim is frivolous or malicious, a trial court may consider whether (1) the claim's realistic chance of ultimate success is slight; (2) the claim has no arguable basis in law or in fact; (3) it is clear that the party cannot prove facts in support of the claim; or (4) the claim is substantially similar to a previous claim filed by the inmate because the claim arises from the same operative facts. Id. § 14.003(b)(1)-(4).
Here, the trial court dismissed Hickman-Bey's case for failure "to state a cause of action as a matter of law." We review such a dismissal for an abuse of discretion. Moreland v. Johnson, 95 S.W.3d 392, 394 (Tex. App.-Houston 2002, no pet.). When a trial court dismisses a claim without a hearing, as here, the issue on appeal is whether the claim had no arguable basis in law. Id. Thus, we examine whether Hickman-Bey's claims were frivolous because they have no arguable basis in law.
The issue of whether a claim has an arguable basis in law is a legal question that we review de novo. Id. To determine whether there is an arguable basis in law, we examine the types of relief and causes of action pleaded in his petition to determine whether the petition states a cause of action that would authorize relief. Spurlock v. Schroedter, 88 S.W.3d 733, 736 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 2002, no pet.). We review and evaluate pro se pleadings by standards less stringent than those applied to formal pleadings drafted by lawyers. Id. We are bound to take as true the allegations in the inmate's petition. Jackson v. TDCJ-ID, 28 S.W.3d 811, 813 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 2000, pet. denied).
A. Official Oppression
In his first issue, Hickman-Bey argues that he stated a cause of action for official oppression. To support his contention, he cites Mizell v. State and section 39.03(a)(2) of the Texas Penal Code. 70 S.W.3d 156 (Tex. App.-San Antonio 2001), aff'd, 119 S.W.3d 804 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); see also TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 39.03 (Vernon 2003). However, the Penal Code does not create a private cause of action, and a victim does not have standing to participate as a party in a criminal proceeding. TEX. CONST. art. I, § 30(e); TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 56.02(d) (Vernon Supp. 2009); Brown v. De La Cruz, 156 S.W.3d 560, 567 (Tex. 2004). We conclude that Hickman-Bey failed to state an official oppression claim with any arguable basis in law.
Section 39.03(a)(2) provides that "[a] public servant acting under color of his office or employment commits [the offense of official oppression] if he . . . intentionally denies or impedes another in the exercise or enjoyment of any right, privilege, power, or immunity, knowing his conduct in unlawful." TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 39.03(a)(2) (Vernon 2003).
Hickman-Bey also mentions violations of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Fourteenth Amendment in his first issue. We discuss these in our analysis of his second and fourth issues. He failed to identify any other basis for his "violation of the civil rights of a prisoner."
We overrule Hickman-Bey's first issue.
B. Racial and Religious Discrimination and Fourteenth Amendment
In his second issue, Hickman-Bey argues that he stated a cause of action for racial and religious discrimination under Chapter 42, section 1983 of the United States Code. In his fourth issue, Hickman-Bey argues that he stated a cause of action for violations of the Fourteenth Amendment right to due process based on racial and religious discrimination.
Section 1983 provides:
Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress.
42 U.S.C.A. § 1983 (West 2003). Section 1983 provides a private cause of action and remedy when any person acting under color of state law deprives another of rights, privileges, or immunities protected by the U.S. Constitution or laws. Gordon v. Scott, 6 S.W.3d 365, 369 (Tex. App.-Beaumont 1999, pet. denied); see also Parratt v. Taylor, 451 U.S. 527, 535, 101 S. Ct. 1908, 1913 (1981), overruled on other grounds by Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327, 330-31, 106 S. Ct. 662, 664-65 (1986) (holding that the two essential elements to section 1983 action are "(1) whether the conduct complained of was committed by a person acting under color of state law; and (2) whether this conduct deprived a person of rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States").
The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment encompasses both substantive and procedural due process. City of Dallas v. Saucedo-Falls, 268 S.W.3d 653, 660 (Tex. App.-Dallas 2008, pet. denied). Hickman-Bey does not specify which of these TDCJ and Ward allegedly violated. However, for a claim of either substantive or procedural due process violations, a party must allege a constitutionally protected property right. Id.
Hickman-Bey failed to plead that he was deprived of a right, privilege, or immunity that is protected by the U.S. Constitution or federal law. Hickman-Bey's petition alleged that he was denied parole and other privileges offered to inmates because of Ward's identification of him as a gang member and that he was denied due process in being denied an opportunity to have his grievance heard and in "being subject to secret rules, regulations and policies" in attempting to resolve his grievance. However, Hickman-Bey has no right to parole. See Johnson v. Davis, 178 S.W.3d 230, 239 (Tex. App.-Houston 2005, pet. denied). "Both state and federal courts have held that Texas prison inmates have no protected liberty interest in parole." Id. (citing Johnson v. Rodriguez, 110 F.3d 299, 308 (5th Cir. 1997) and Martin v. Tex. Bd. of Crim. Justice, 60 S.W.3d 226, 230 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 2001, no pet.)). We also note that, although Hickman-Bey failed to specifically identify the "privileges" denied him, he does not have a liberty interest in such privileges. See Geiger v. Jowers, 404 F.3d 371, 374 (5th Cir. 2005) (holding that prisoner has liberty interest only in freedoms from restraint that impose atypical and significant hardship on inmate in relation to ordinary incidents of prison life and does not have federally protected liberty interest in having these grievances resolved to his satisfaction). Furthermore, Hickman-Bey does not have a constitutionally protected right to access a grievance procedure. See Wanzer v. Garcia, 299 S.W.3d 821, 827 (Tex. App.-San Antonio 2009, pet. denied). Therefore, Hickman-Bey failed to plead a section 1983 claim or a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. See Saucedo-Falls, 268 S.W.3d at 660; Gordon, 6 S.W.3d at 369.
We also note that a section 1983 action will not lie against a state agency, like TDCJ, or an official acting in his official capacity, like Ward. See Harrison v. Tex. Dep't of Crim. Justice-Institutional Div., 915 S.W.2d 882, 889 (Tex. App.-Houston 1995, no writ) (holding that appellant could not pursue section 1983 claim against TDCJ or officials in their official capacity because "[n]either a state nor its officials acting in their official capacities are 'persons' under § 1983") (citing Will v. Mich. Dep't of State Police, 491 U.S. 58, 71, 109 S. Ct. 2304, 2312 (1989)). The Supreme Court has recognized an exception to this rule in cases of injunctive relief, stating, "Of course a state official in his or her official capacity, when sued for injunctive relief, would be a person under § 1983 because 'official-capacity actions for prospective relief are not treated as actions against the State.'" Will, 491 U.S. at 71 n. 10, 109 S. Ct. at 2312 n. 10 (quoting Kentucky v. Graham, 473 U.S. 159, 167 n. 14, 105 S. Ct. 3099, 3106 n. 14 (1985)). However, as discussed above, Hickman-Bey failed to allege any section 1983 claim.
We overrule Hickman-Bey's second and fourth issues.
C. Texas Public Information Act
In his third issue, Hickman-Bey argues that he stated a cause of action under the Texas Public Information Act. Specifically, his petition requested an "injunction that will provide any and all agents of plaintiff with cop[ies] of his security threat group file upon Texas Open Records Request." He alleged that "[a]n advocate acting on [his] behalf requested information in the form of the alleged rules, regulations and policies STGM operates and [his] STG file," which was denied.
The Texas Public Information Act provides for certain disclosure of "public information," which is defined as information that is collected, assembled, or maintained (1) by a governmental body or (2) for a governmental body, and the governmental body owns the information or has a right of access to it. TEX. GOV'T CODE ANN. § 552.002(a) (Vernon 2004). Section 552.028(a) provides that:
A governmental body is not required to accept or comply with a request for information from:
(1) an individual who is imprisoned or confined in a correctional facility; or
(2) an agent of that individual, other than that individual's attorney when the attorney is requesting information that is subject to disclosure under this chapter.
Id. § 552.028(a)(1). Hickman-Bey did not allege that the "advocate" acting on his behalf was his attorney, nor does he make such an argument in his brief on appeal. Thus, Hickman-Bey's pleadings failed to demonstrate any violation of the Texas Public Information Act.
We overrule Hickman-Bey's third issue.
Conclusion
We affirm the judgment of the trial court.