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Plaintiffs,
-against- 1:04-CV-1193
(LEK/RFT)
THOMAS SPARGO, individually and as Justice of
the NYS Supreme Court, et al.,
Defendants.
ORDER
Presently before the Court is a Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint, filed by
Defendants Thomas J. Spargo, Joseph L. Bruno, the State Senate, Sheldon Silver, the State
Assembly, George E. Pataki, Randy A. Daniels, Eliot Spitzer and all members of the NYS Senate
and Assembly previously named therein as John and/or Jane Doe’s (“State Defendants”) on April 9,
2008, seeking dismissal of the Amended Complaint in its entirety and denial of Plaintiffs’ request
for a three-judge panel under 28 U.S.C. § 2284. Dkt. No. 98. As per the Court’s January 8, 2008
Decision, the State Defendants are the only Defendants remaining in this action. Dkt. No. 81.
I. Background
On October 15, 2004, pro se Plaintiffs filed a Complaint asserting, among other things,
various constitutional violations arising out of the Help America Vote Act (“HAVA”) ( Pub. L. No.
107-252, 116 Stat. 1666, 42 U.S.C. §15301-15545 (2002)). Dkt. No. 1. On October 29, 2004, the
Court dismissed the Complaint. Dkt. No. 5. On appeal, the Second Circuit, inter alia, dismissed all
claims pertaining to the November 2004 elections, but remanded “the redistricting claims” including
1
Case 1:04-cv-01193-LEK-RFT Document 109 Filed 07/31/08 Page 2 of 7
the issue of whether the case should be referred to a three-judge panel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §2284.
Plaintiffs then filed the Amended Complaint, bringing forth fourteen (14) causes of action
under HAVA and various other statutes, including 42 U.S.C. §§1983 and 1985. Dkt. No. 25. In
addition to HAVA claims, Plaintiffs appear to challenge the reapportionment of the State of New
York’s current legislative, judicial and congressional districts. Id. at ¶29. By Decision and Order
dated January 8, 2008, the Court dismissed all claims brought under HAVA and the False Claims
Act, denied Plaintiffs’ Motion for a preliminary injunction, and dismissed the apportionment claims
as against the City of New York and Federal Defendants, as well as the National Association of
Secretaries of State. Dkt. No. 81. The Court noted that the constitutionality of the redistricting plan
was not yet before the Court at that time and that the State Defendants had not yet been heard on the
issue and deferred decision on whether the redistricting claim required a three-judge court. Id. The
Court further directed the Plaintiffs to name and properly serve the John and Jane Doe defendants or
the action would be dismissed against them. Plaintiffs thereafter served all members of the State
The State Defendants now seek to dismiss the Amended Complaint pursuant to F.R.C.P.
12(b)(6) and 12(c), as well as F.R.C.P. 8(a). Initially, however, the Court must consider whether it
II. Discussion
Defendants argue that Plaintiffs have not presented any cognizable constitutional question,
that the Plaintiffs lack standing, that the State Defendants are entitled to dismissal on the grounds of
legislative immunity and lack of personal involvement, and that the claims remaining in the
2
Case 1:04-cv-01193-LEK-RFT Document 109 Filed 07/31/08 Page 3 of 7
Amended Complaint do not pass muster under even the liberal standards of F.R.C.P. 8(a).
A. Legal Standard
While a complaint attacked by a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss does not need
detailed factual allegations, . . . a plaintiff’s obligation to provide the grounds of his
entitlement to relief requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic
recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do. Factual allegations must be
enough to raise a right to relief above the speculative level on the assumption that all
the allegations in the complaint are true (even if doubtful in fact).
Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 127 S. Ct. 1955, 1964-65 (2007) (internal quotations, alterations
and citations omitted). “Without some factual allegation in the complaint, it is hard to see how a
claimant could satisfy the requirement of providing not only ‘fair notice’ of the nature of the claim,
but also ‘grounds’ on which the claim rests.” Id. at 1965 n.3. “‘[A] district court must retain the
power to insist upon some specificity in pleading before allowing a potentially massive factual
controversy to proceed.’” Id. at 1967 (quoting Associated Gen. Contractors of Cal., Inc. v.
Thus, to survive a Rule 12 motion, Plaintiffs must pass the “‘plausibility standard,’ which
obliges a pleader to amplify a claim with some factual allegations in those contexts where
such amplification is needed to render the claim plausible.” Iqbal v. Hasty, 490 F.3d 143, 157-58
Defendants contend that because Plaintiffs lack standing and have not raised a substantial
Constitutional issue, the case should be dismissed without convening a three-judge panel. Under 28
U.S.C. § 2284, “[a] district court of three judges shall be convened when . . . an action is filed
3
Case 1:04-cv-01193-LEK-RFT Document 109 Filed 07/31/08 Page 4 of 7
determine whether a three-judge panel is required, the single judge must inquire (1) “whether the
constitutional question raised is substantial”; (2) “whether the complaint at least formally alleges a
basis for equitable relief”; and (3) “whether the case presented otherwise comes within the
requirements of the three-judge statute.” Idlewild Liquor Corp. v. Epstein, 370 U.S. 713, 715
(1962).
A single judge may dismiss a claim if the Constitutional claim is insubstantial, Bailey v.
Patterson, 369 U.S. 31, 33 (1962), or “if the plaintiff lacks standing or the suit is otherwise not
justiciable in the district court.” 17A C. Wright & A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure §4235,
at 213 (2007); see also Long v. District of Columbia, 469 F.2d 927, 930 (D.C. Cir. 1972); Puerto
Rican Intern. Airlines, Inc. v. Colon, 409 F.Supp. 960, 966 (D.P.R. 1975) (“[S]tanding . . . is a
ground upon which a single judge can decline to convene a three judge court and order dismissal of
the complaint”); Am. Commuters Ass’n v. Levitt, 279 F.Supp. 40, 45-46 (S.D.N.Y. 1967)).
In turning to the Amended Complaint, the Court is aware that because Plaintiffs are
proceeding pro se, the Amended Complaint is to be construed liberally. Phillips v. Girdich, 408
F.3d 124, 127-28 (2d Cir. 2005). Initially, the Court notes that the first, fifth, ninth, tenth, eleventh,
thirteenth, and fourteenth causes of action allege violations related to HAVA. These claims,
however, were dismissed by the Court’s Order dated January 8, 2008. Dkt. No. 81.
Plaintiffs’ second cause of action (and possibly the sixth cause of action) alleges violation of
New York State Constitution Article 3 Section 4 based on New York City’s allotment of 26 senate
4
Case 1:04-cv-01193-LEK-RFT Document 109 Filed 07/31/08 Page 5 of 7
districts. Not only does this claim rest on an incorrect assumption that New York City is a single
county, as opposed to consisting of five separate counties, but Article 3, Section 4 was among the
377 US 63 (1963). Accordingly, this claim is hereby dismissed under F.R.C.P. 12(b)(6). A three-
judge panel is not required to address this claim or to dismiss it. See Bailey v. Patterson, 369 U.S.
at 33 (holding that a three-judge panel is not required “when the claim that a statute is
Plaintiffs’ remaining causes of action (third, fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and twelfth) do
not comprehensibly refer to any federal provisions that are allegedly violated, and do not even all
relate to redistricting or apportionment.1 The Amended Complaint does not appear to present a
discernable reapportionment claim under the federal constitution, such that there is no cause to
convene a three-judge panel. Although Plaintiffs claim various injuries including, for example,
discrimination2 (Am. Compl. ¶ 30), “rotten boroughs injury” (¶ 32), and “disproportionate
diminished dilution injuries” (¶ 32), the Court is unable to decipher from the Amended Complaint a
1
The seventh cause of action may possibly make a possible gerrymandering claim, but as
discussed below, a gerrymandering claim against the 2002 New York redistricting plan is
insubstantial based on a prior decision.
2
This comes from a very liberal construction of the following: “That Plaintiffs as US
Citizens are denied equal protection and substantive due process suffer injury to individual Bottom-
up suffrage and Homerule autonomy of the PEOPLE within a municipal entity as a firewall against
corruption entitled to a respective board of elections therein, suffer infringement of speech in the
state legislature the US House, unequal due process in the judiciary and unreasonable unequally
reimbursed unfunded financial burden upon New York citizen property differently than that for
citizens of the several states, as a taking imposed by unconstitutional provisions of HAVA in the
Congressional definition of “Voting Age Person” (“VAP”) rather than “Citizen Voting Age
Persons” (“CVAP”), is prima facie discrimination evidence proven in related case . . .” Am. Compl.
¶ 30.
5
Case 1:04-cv-01193-LEK-RFT Document 109 Filed 07/31/08 Page 6 of 7
clear Constitutional claim challenging New York State’s 2002 redistricting plan or the connection of
any alleged Constitutional violations to any particular acts by the State Defendants. Accordingly,
the Amended Complaint may be dismissed without convening a three-judge panel. See e.g.,
Duckworth v. State Board of Elections, 213 F. Supp. 2d 543 (D.M.D. 2002) (dismissing challenge
In addition, the Court notes that a constitutional question is insubstantial if prior decisions
render the issue frivolous and leave no room for any inference of controversy. Goosby v. Osser, 409
U.S. 512, 518 (1973); Bailey v. Patterson, 369 U.S. at 33 (holding that a three-judge panel is not
required when “prior decisions make frivolous any claim” of unconstitutionality). The redistricting
plan presently challenged by Plaintiffs has already withstood scrutiny under constitutional
Pataki, 308 F.Supp.2d 346 (S.D.N.Y.), aff’d, 125 S.Ct. 627 (2004) (granting summary judgment and
dismissing complaint because the redistricting plan did not violate the Fourteenth Amendment or
the Voting Rights Act, but instead reflected traditional districting principles by maintaining equality
of population). That decision upholding the redistricting plan was reached by a three-judge panel
As previously noted, a Court may dismiss a claim if the Constitutional claim is insubstantial,
Bailey v. Patterson, 369 U.S. 31. In this case, there is a prior decision finding that the 2002 New
York redistricting plan was constitutional. Even with a liberal construction of Plaintiffs’ Amended
Complaint, there are no possibly comprehensible redistricting claims brought by Plaintiffs that raise
a controversy beyond the analysis in the prior decision. In addition, because Plaintiffs’ claims, even
when liberally construed, do not present a discernable reapportionment claim under the federal
6
Case 1:04-cv-01193-LEK-RFT Document 109 Filed 07/31/08 Page 7 of 7
constitution, the Plaintiffs’ Constitutional claims are hereby dismissed in their entirety.
III. Conclusion
ORDERED, that the Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss (Dkt. No. 98) is GRANTED; and it is
further
ORDERED, that Plaintiffs’ request for a three-judge panel under 28 U.S.C. §2284(a) (Dkt.
ORDERED, that the Amended Complaint (Dkt. No. 25) is DISMISSED in its entirety; and
it is further
ORDERED, that the Clerk serve a copy of this order on all parties.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
7
====================================================================
Defendant(s).
JURY VERDICT. This action came before the Court for a trial by jury. The
issues have been tried and the jury has rendered its verdict.
s/B. Norton
By:
DEPUTY CLERK
STATE OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
AN D R EW M. C U O MO ST AT E C O U N S EL D IVISIO N
Attorney G eneral Litigation Bureau
Please accept this letter brief on behalf of the State Defendants in response to and opposition
to the motion for reconsideration submitted by plaintiff Christopher Earl Strunk (docket #115). For
the reasons set forth below and also set forth in the State Defendants’ initial moving papers (docket
#98) and reply papers (docket #102), the motion for reconsideration should be denied.
Plaintiff Strunk seeks reconsideration of the Judgment in favor of the defendants (docket
#110) and this Court’s corresponding Order (docket #109) dated July 31, 2008 which dismissed the
Amended Complaint in its entirety and denied the plaintiffs’ request for a three-judge panel under 28
U.S.C.A. §2284(a).
Rule 60 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides for very limited grounds for relief
from a judgment or order. Rule 60(a) allows correction of clerical mistakes, oversights, and
omissions, but has no application to the instant motion. Although the plaintiff does not specify the
basis for the relief sought or what sub-section he moves under, it is presumed that the plaintiff moves
under Rule 60(b). That Rule allows for relief from judgment based on mistake, excusable neglect,
newly discovered evidence and fraud, among other reasons justifying relief. F.R.C.P. 60(b)(1)-(6).
Since the plaintiff does not suggest either that there has been an intervening change in controlling law
or that he has discovered new evidence, the defendants further assume that Strunk seeks to argue that
reconsideration is necessary to remedy a clear error of law or to prevent manifest injustice. Under
the applicable legal standards, however, reconsideration should be denied.
The standard for granting a motion for reconsideration is strict and the plaintiff’s burden in
seeking reconsideration is heavy. The Second Circuit has instructed that "reconsideration will
generally be denied unless the moving party can point to controlling decisions or data that the court
overlooked – matters, in other words, that might reasonably be expected to alter the conclusion
reached by the court." Shrader v. CSX Transp., Inc., 70 F.3d 255, 257 (2d Cir. 1995).
A motion for reconsideration "should not be granted where the moving party seeks solely to
relitigate an issue already decided." Id. Furthermore, a motion for reconsideration is not to be used
"for relitigating old issues, presenting the case under new theories, securing a rehearing on the merits,
or otherwise taking a 'second bite at the apple'…." Sequa Corp. v. GBJ Corp., 156 F.3d 136, 144 (2d
Cir. 1998) (citations omitted). This is essentially what the plaintiff is improperly seeking to do in this
instance.
The plaintiff has not pointed to any overlooked controlling decision or constitutional provision
which may reasonably be expected to alter the Court's dismissal of the matter. Instead, the plaintiff
merely claims that the court’s Order dismissing the Amended Complaint was “outrageous” and
“disparages our social contact right to a republican form of government in New York.” (Docket
#115).
It is respectfully submitted that in the July 31, 2008 Order, the Court properly reviewed the
relevant law and properly applied it to the facts of this case. Specifically, the Court appropriately
addressed and rejected the plaintiffs’ arguments under New York State Constitution Article 3,
Section 4 (see, Order at docket #109 at pp. 4-5) and the plaintiffs’ potential federal constitutional
challenges to the redistricting plan at issue (Id., at pp.5-6). Thus, the Court’s Order was legally
correct and did not work a manifest injustice on the plaintiffs.
Accordingly, the Court should deny Strunk’s motion for reconsideration as this case does not
present any exceptional circumstances warranting such extraordinary relief. The plaintiff has simply
not met his heavy burden of demonstrating any grounds upon which the Court’s prior decision should
be altered.
Respectfully Submitted,
Aaron M. Baldwin
Assistant Attorney General
Bar Roll #510175
cc: All Plaintiffs (via First Class Mail per attached Declaration of Service);
All Counsel (via CM/ECF)
DECLARATION OF SERVICE
I, Aaron M. Baldwin, declare pursuant to 28 USC § 1746, that on August 18, 2008, I
served the annexed Letter Brief upon all defendants of record via CM/ECF and upon the
following individuals by depositing true copies thereof, properly enclosed in sealed, postpaid
wrappers, in a post office box in the City of Albany, a depository under the exclusive care and
custody of the United States Post Office Department, directed to the individuals at the addresses
designated for that purpose, as follows:
Dated: August 18, 2008
Albany, New York
/s/ AARON M. BALDWIN
AARON M. BALDWIN
Fairlene G. Rabenda
8 Claudia Lane
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
Please take notice that on September 2, 2008 the court received a notice of appeal
in the action set forth below. This notice serves to inform the Second Circuit of the pending
appeal and provide them with the basic information they need to begin processing the
appeal. After receipt of this notice, the Second Circuit will prepare and issue a scheduling
order which will outline the obligations and responsibilities of the parties with regard to this
appeal. Should you have any questions prior to the issuance of a scheduling order, please
feel free to contact the District Court Clerk’s Office.
Sincerely,
Lawrence K. Baerman
U.S. District Court
s/
Plaintiffs,
-against- 1:04-CV-1193
(LEK/RFT)
THOMAS SPARGO, individually and as Justice of
the NYS Supreme Court, et al.,
Defendants.
ORDER
Presently before the Court is a Letter Motion filed by Plaintiff Christopher Earl Strunk
(“Strunk”) requesting reconsideration of this Court’s Order, dated July 31, 2008, dismissing the
Amended Complaint and denying Plaintiffs’ request for a three-judge panel under 28 U.S.C.A. §
2284(a). Letter Motion (Dkt. No. 115); July 31 Order (Dkt. No. 109). Defendants have filed a
A. Legal Standard
The standard for granting a motion for reconsideration is strict, and “reconsideration will
generally be denied unless the moving party can point to controlling decisions or data that the court
overlooked--matters, in other words, that might reasonably be expected to alter the conclusion
reached by the court.” Schrader v. CSX Transp., Inc., 70 F.3d 255, 257 (2d Cir. 1995). The burden
on a party moving for reconsideration of an order is thus substantial. Toland v. Walsh, No. 9:04-
CV-0773, 2008 WL 657247, at *1 (N.D.N.Y. Mar. 7, 2008). There are only three possible grounds
upon which motions for reconsideration may be granted: (1) an intervening change in law, (2) the
1
availability of evidence not previously available, or (3) the need to correct a clear error of law or
prevent manifest injustice. Shannon v. Verizon New York, Inc., 519 F.Supp.2d 304, 307 (N.D.N.Y.
2007) (citing Doe v. New York City Dept. of Social Servs., 709 F.2d 782, 789 (2d Cir. 1983). It
appears that Strunk is basing his motion for reconsideration on a need to correct an error of law or to
B. Recusal
Initially, Strunk’s Letter Motion appears to also suggest that the Court should recuse itself
for “disparaging” Plaintiffs’ rights unless the Court “is able to make a judgment free and clear of
other commitments.”1 Letter Motion at 1 (Dkt. No. 115). However, Plaintiff has not actually
moved for recusal, and certainly not in any format that complies with the statutory requirements.
Plaintiff has also not alleged any basis that would warrant recusal under either of the two statutes
that govern the recusal of federal judges--Sections 144 and 455 of the Judicial Code. 28 U.S.C. §§
144, 455.
So far as Section 144 is concerned, Plaintiff failed to file the requisite affidavit sufficiently
alleging “that the judge before whom the matter is pending has a personal bias or prejudice either
against him or in favor of any adverse party.” In addition, as the Supreme Court said in Liteky,
“judicial rulings alone almost never constitute a valid basis for a bias or partiality motion.” Liteky
v. United States, 510 U.S. 540, 555-56 (1994).2 Plaintiff has also failed to meet the requirements of
1
Strunk then includes examples, asking whether the Court has taken any oath other than the
oath of office, such as “a Masonic oath ... [or] a Kolnidre oath in which you must forgive all in your
private capacity.” Id.
2
It should also be noted also that the determination of whether such an affidavit is timely
and legally sufficient is made by the judge whose recusal is sought. See, e.g., Berger v. United
States, 255 U.S. 22, 32, 36 (1921); LoCascio v. United States, 473 F.3d 493, 498 (2d Cir.2007)
2
Section 455(a), which requires that a judge recuse when “an objective, disinterested observer fully
informed of the underlying facts [would] entertain significant doubt that justice would be done
absent recusal.” See In re Aguinda, 241 F.3d 194, 201 (2d Cir.2001) (quoting United States v.
Lovaglia, 954 F.2d 811, 815 (2d Cir.1992)) (“Where a case, by contrast, involves remote,
C. Discussion
Strunk then claims that by affecting Plaintiffs’ rights, the July 31 Order “flies in the face of
the NYS Civil Rights Law Chapter 6 Article 2 that guarantees quote: ‘S 2. Supreme sovereignty in
the people. No authority can, or any pretence whatsoever, be exercised over the citizens of this
state, but such as is or shall be derived from and granted by the people of this state.’” Letter Motion
at 1-2. To the extent that this argument appears to challenge the Court’s personal jurisdiction over
Plaintiffs, this claim is waived since it cannot be brought after the Court’s disposition of the case,
and since Plaintiffs already waived any challenge to the Court’s personal jurisdiction over them by
filing this suit. Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h); see, e.g., Andros Compania Maritima, S.A. v. Intertanker Ltd.,
718 F.Supp. 1215, 1217 (S.D.N.Y.1989) (appearing and seeking affirmative relief from the Court is
the paradigm of such a waiver) (citing Adam v. Saenger, 303 U.S. 59, 67-68 (1938)).
Plaintiff Strunk next reiterates various legal arguments already presented to the Court
regarding New York State Constitution’s Article 3, Section 4 and the Plaintiffs’ potential federal
constitutional challenges to the redistricting plan. However, a motion for reconsideration “should
not be granted where the moving party seeks solely to relitigate an issue already decided.” Shrader,
(quoting Nat’l Auto Brokers Corp. v. Gen. Motors Corp., 572 F.2d 953, 958 (2d Cir.1978), cert.
denied, 439 U.S. 1072 (1979)) (“‘a judge has an affirmative duty to inquire into the legal sufficiency
of such an affidavit and not to disqualify himself unnecessarily . . .’”).
3
70 F.3d at 257. A motion for reconsideration is not to be used “for relitigating old issues, presenting
the case under new theories, securing a rehearing on the merits, or otherwise taking a ‘second bite at
the apple’… .” Sequa Corp. v. GBJ Corp., 156 F.3d 136, 144 (2d Cir. 1998) (citations omitted).
“Since 60(b) allows extraordinary judicial relief, it is invoked only upon a showing of
exceptional circumstances.” Nemaizer v. Baker, 793 F.2d 58, 61 (2d Cir. 1986). “Final judgments
should not be lightly reopened.” Id. Plaintiff has not alerted the Court to any overlooked
controlling decision, constitutional provision, or data which may be reasonably expected to alter the
Court’s dismissal. Accordingly, Plaintiff has not established any “exceptional circumstances” under
D. Conclusion
ORDERED, that the Plaintiff’s Motion for reconsideration (Dkt. No. 115) is DENIED; and
it is further
ORDERED, that the Court’s July 31, 2008 Order, dismissing the Amended Complaint and
denying Plaintiffs’ request for a three-judge panel (Dkt. No. 109) is AFFIRMED; and it is further
ORDERED, that the Clerk serve a copy of this order on all parties.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
4
Case 1:04-cv-01193-LEK-RFT Document 122 Filed 09/11/2008 Page 1 of 1
AMENDED
Ronald G. Loeber, et al. CLERK’S CERTIFICATION
I, LAWRENCE K BAERMAN, CLERK of the District Court of the UNITED STATES for the
Northern District of New York, DO, HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing docket entries, with the
exception of the documents listed below are maintained electronically on the court’s CM/ECF
system and constitute the Record on Appeal in the above-entitled action.
The following documents are not available electronically and are currently maintained
in traditional fashion in the city of Albany Clerk’s Office.
Any additional records which are not currently available electronically, please feel free to
contact us and we will arrange for the document(s) to be made available to you.
s/
' .*
3 2284;' -judge court; when r e q u i ~composition; p ms only the composi-
cedure of the.judge district
\
(a) A.district court of three judges shall be convened when ot heard and deter-
, proceeding.
(2) If the action is against a State, or officer or agency
' at least five days' notice of hearing of the action shall be
registered or certified mail to the Governor and attornoy $@
'of the State.
see 1960 U.S. Code Cong. and Adm.
References inText
, I *
*?r,b~. ..L,~U~.~+L~,LI~LI~~BU~;&~~~.\~ALY~CWH>
.-,,
28 & 2284 is5 ZN~UNCTI~S L, 28 § 2284
peol
m r
y,judgmea&,
ble, appellate review 223
h n i d of request for gle-judge court 132
dkmissal of action,
nations of single-judge court 126 ~njunctions, jurisdiction of t h r e ~ - j ~ d
hscretion of court 9 court, duties and determinationr
DirmLssal of action, duties and deteimi-
nations of single-judge court 124133
2 -fudge court 179
Insubstaatial 'Iaim, dismissal '
rr Generally 124 duties and determinations of 8
Denial of request for b f u d p Interlocutory
fudgecourt orders,
129 appellate mV
court 126
Hearing 127 - '
Insubstantial dim i29
Jurisdiction lacking ' 130
Miscellaneous actions
132
133
Moot questions 128 ure of court 7
Partdolnder 131
Time of determinationb' 1.25
+
Thnecourtconvenes 14
Subdivision Index ,
hl~fcircuit fudge 11
Civil Procedure
conerally 6 -
1 Wtutory nantk of court- 7
I, r ' t -
7, -astaMwyna-,&- .
Three-judge district' c a m is stahtc)ry
' Pdure 2 with limited $phere.bf operation,,
Jeh6vah's Witnesses ib Stkte of'wash. v.
Construction w ~ t h1 &ruler 3 991 King Hospi%l unit No. 1
Dlrcretlon of court 9 b~rvikt~],W.D.Wash.1967, 278 F.Supp.
Dlqualiflcatlon of j u d w 19 2. Co-don with' Federal RU~U 488, affirmed 88 Sect. 1260, 390 U.S,
Judicial nature of dete-tion' 8 Civfl ProcedrtiP
Jurlsdlctlonal nature of section 5 598, 20 b ~ d , z d158, rehearing denied 88
F'Supp. 382' Courts
Law of case 21 S.Ct.,l$k, 391 U.S. 961.20 L.$d.Zd 874.
Natureof court 6.7 Federal Courts C- 991 .
Generally 6 8. , Judgdal naturr d&,+itlsuon
Statutory -tun of UXUL 7
$t
In determining whether a complaint a]-
Notlce of hearing of action 16 legeg a case
district he districtfor,a
courtappropriate judge performs
a judicid, as distinguished from a minis-
P u v 4
for '&~+~dge court 12 ' "
Stare decists 22
$ t r t u t o ~ n a ~ e o f c o u r7t '
T h e court convenes 14
time for determinaan 13
Walwr 23
(. / . I
. , , i!/t,:/ii[ I,, ,d
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819. a c ~ ~ r t 99(6) * ,.
,
, ere s , I
Subdivision Index
E~~NI~
28""S2284 Z%(t2284
Noh .a3 Noto 80
n challenging constitutionality of
28 1% 2284 PARTICULAR PROCEEDIUGS Part 6 h 155 INJUNCTIONS .* . ', Ls 2819 2284
NOt.I8@ Note.95
18&.Edr2d M3, on remand 271 FSupp. Where the North Dakota egisl la tub
,497, . Federal Courts 477; Federal had failed to reapportion itself, in order
Count4 e 9 9 7 to correct inequality of representation,
., of h-juds three-judge district court was required In
fashion legislative apportionment p1.w
not necessary where one of appor- which would tend to equalize population
tfbnment stahltes under attack was local
hw and not one statewide application in each of the legislative districts in ordur
One vat'"
-.
the' other gene& M of 1 4
cornpb with the
concept.
'lone
'. .
L &lAsll . ') Y'T_
--,-.-"70-, 7-7
28.32284
Note 123
I I
# \ I % - I C I,
#, ~ m e AND
s '~~E~INA~ONS
1'1 OP~SINOLEJUDQECOURT '
-
cd section 1973c of Title 42.wher-e claims
are wholly insubstantial and completely
without merit. Miller v. Daniels;
S.D.N.Y. 1981, 509 F.Supp. 400. Federal
motion for convening courts 1012
$ct court on grounds The duty of &single judge to whdh a
were insubstantial had request for a three-judge court is made is
motion to dismiss as to f h t to determine whether a Sdbstaritid
e only by a three-judge claim for relief is raised by the suit; <ifthe
suit raises no substantial claim, the sing16
judge should properly dismiss the action
on his own. Simkins v. , Gressette,
D.C.S.C.1980, 495 F.Supp. 1075, af-
firmed 631 F.2d 287. Federal Courts
1011 , ,
130. - W g , dfsmlsr-
' ~ ~ I l a f c t i o' k
et of action, &tic% and deknnina-
tlom of single-judge court
* 1011 Single judge to whom application is
made to convene three-judge district
court may dismiss action if jurisdiction is
lacking. Walker v. Gilligan, C.A.6 (Ohio)
1973.487 F.2d 508. See, also, Crossen v.
Breckenridge, C.A.6 (Ky.) 1971, 446 F.2d
833, on remand 344'F.Supp. 587: Board
of Ed. of Independent School Dist. 20,
Muskogee, OW. v. State of OH., C.A.10
Moot questions, dismissal of (Okl.) 1969, 409 F.2d 665; Carrigan v.
Califoinia State Legislature, C.A.Cal:
1959, 263 F.2d 560, certiorari denied 79
S.Ct. 901, 359 U.S. 980, 3 L.Ed.2d 929;
South Central Bell Tel. Co. v. Public Ser-
vice Commission of Kentucky, D.C.Ky.
19764 420 F.Supp. 376: Jachon v. Asso-
ciated Hospital Service of Philadelphia,
D.C.Pa.1976, 414 F.Supp. 315, affirmed
549 F.2d 795, certiorari denied 98 S.Ct.
117, 434 U.S. 832, 54 L.Ed.2d 93; Leon-
hart v. McCormick, D.C.Pa.1975. 395
F.Supp. 1073; Gravel v. Laird, D.C.D.C.
t court would be dis- 1972, 347 F.Supp. 7: Atlee v. Laird,
Avlnr v. Mangum, D.C.Pa,1972, 339 F.Supp. 1347, &med
F,Supp. 754. Federal 93 S.Q. 1545, 411 U.S.911, 36 LEd.2d
I " I , 1 304; W,E.B, Duboir Clubs of America v,
,b
~+,&$&~~~;;:
*i"gg,,,&&J,&&&.:a&&*&*dlt
SS?$ 2284 PARTICULAR PHOCEEIYINGS Part 6 2 8 2284
Hotel$SO Note 138
cluk. D.-J~D;c;~~@,
.285 ~.Supp. 629. LJ-S:75oP 87 L.Ed. 17041
S.et\~lt58.*319
,Fede~dCat& 1012 .' .' courts- 101 2 'G'
,*
.,, % ~ n suit ' b ~ + r e q d g An-
-,I,
,,,
' I
Wis.App. 1992. The term "substantial change of tial change of position is sufficient to create
circumstances," for purposes of modification of cus- person seeking permit.-People ex rel. S k E
tody order afte3 two years has passed since initial Co. v. Town of Cicero, 298 N.E.2d 9, 11
order, requires tEat facts on which prior order was 900.-Zoning 376.
based differ from present facts, and that the differ-
ence is enough to justify court's considering wheth-
er to modify the order.-Licary v. Licary, 484
N.W.2d 371, 168 Wis.2d 686, review denied 490
N.W.2d 21.--Child C 555.
SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE OF CONDITIONS
WashApp. Div. 1 1984. Where at time of origi-
nal separation and first modification of agreement
it appeared that one child would not become quali-
fied for college education and other child was 11 3#).-Pub Ut 194.:
years of age but subsequently each had excelled 1
academically and were candidates for post high Kan. 1974. "Sd
school education and where both parents were col- d e n c e which p~
lege educated, there were "compelling circum- ad relevant c o d
stances arising before emancipation" and a showing
of "substantial change of conditions" warranting
modification of marital dissolution decree. West's
RCWA 26.09.010 et seq., 26.09.170.-Matter of
Mamage of Studebaker, 677 P.2d 789, 36 Wash.
App. 815.--Child S 240, 304.
SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE OR ALTERATION
C.A.7 (Ind.) 1995. "Substantial change or alter- SUBSTANTIAL CLAIM
ation," which will preclude manufacturer's strict
liability under Indiana law, is any change that in-
creases likelihood of malfunction, which is proxi- ably resolved.-
mate cause of harm complained of, and which is 9% P.2d 369, 26 B
independent of expected and intended(use to which Work Comp 1939.4
product is put. IC 33-1-1.5-3 (1993 Ed.)--Leon v.
Caterpillar Indus., Inc., 69 F.3d 1326, amended, and
amended.-Prod Liab 15,16. 815, affirmed 317 F.2d 679.-Fed Cts 18
1nd.App. 4Dist. 1994. For purposes of strict SUBSTANTIAL COCAINE DEALER
product liability claim, "substantial change or alter-
ation" is defined as any change which increases
likelihood of malfunction, which is proximate cause
of h a m complained of, and which is independent
of expected and intended use to which product is
put. West's A.I.C. 33-1-1.5-3, 33- 1-1.54@)(3).-
Schooley v. Ingersoll Rand, Inc., 631 N.E.2d 932.-
Prod Liab 16.
SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES
Cal. 1986. An increase from six to ten acres in
size of proposed theater in fairgrounds area, 200% SUBSTANTIAL, COMPETENT EVI-
increase in seating capacity, and acoustic effects of court's review of 1
moving stage to face single-family dwellings north judgment is limite
of fairgrounds were "substantial changes" requiring there is substantid
filing of subsequent environmental impact report to which possesses both relevance and trial court's holdh
assess environmental effects. West's Ann.Cal.Pub. which furnishes a substantial basis d W dence" is evideaq
Res.Code 5 21166(a).-Concerned Citizens of Cos- stance and r e l m
ta Mesa, Inc. v. 32nd Dist. Agricultural Assn., 727 substantial basis 4
P.2d 1029, 231 Cal.Rptr. 748,42 Cal.3d 929, rehear- oonably be resdsa
ing denied.-Environ Law 597. accept as being sufficient to support a Matter of Man-&
Kan.App.2d 964.4
Ill.App. 1 Dist. 1973. Expenditure of $1,300 to Law 1158(4). KanApp. 1 9 8 ~
terminate lease on a sign and preparation of plot
plans and profitability studies for gas station on Kan. 1982. "Substantial co- dence" is defined a
property in zoning district, in which subsequent of substance and r
amendment to zoning ordinance made a gas station orders of the Corporation Commission &k
a "special use" rather than a "permitted use," were to requested natural gas price increavs can reasonably
not "substantial changes" within rule that substan- dence which possesses something of Estate, 604 P.2.d 74
I' W-qpmF" .! ; , ' ,;I '
w ~ t , ~ r s e . + , ,nef-mel
,~ a.
.or Hemp VG .2&f f,+6Suhogations':is, h .&.si~'~plnt
bed% m t i t u t i o n of OnePam in.th*~laceof
stead v. Resour&! R&@n$, Inc., '763 'W.Y.S.a
657,30i AD.^ 939.11nau&
I )
$513@). ,,
y , , 5 9 J,- ,
.
" ~ o f i e uithreferenscm
r a l a m clah dcmn4
o r , right. so,, @at ,thecpprty ,that 4s .substituted
4 .JN.C.App;2004. The tem~r''&bK4@0d,': in succeeds to the7;rigbts. of the ~rthep-Yellow
the Insuraae Guaranily Associayfon (IGA) statute ' Freight Systems, Tnc. v. Courtadds PM~rplance
ddrfing 'fcovered c+m" to ~ d u d e ( q b r o g a t i o,'Films, Inc., 580'S.E.2d 812, 266 Vd. g?.4ubrog
c,lai$ls #& hot encompq equitablg~ubrogation. -1.' - ' -1 i
'
. " 3
'- *
A
m3.
ody anilablc,m s-e
4~~ubtOgat;on . g ~ red
the u l t i m dish-
~
g had a$smeii.ult~ate~spon61'bilitybonlay reim-
ot ',h-m@ ,twC I I S ~who ~ ~did,&it.le
, or
sltn ~ ~in ~ ~~ ~6 ~ ~- i e ~ ~hi.vmes a s ~for . they dbad pepaid,
; which. ~ and
lhat was legallp obligated to honor %haagebricks
. &rice, &@t4tci,f3ay thatdebt.-en Mu6 from did not
: Reinsurahce Co.\.v. Centet' Mu~J~u~.' a:, ' r
'
658
' angy positio, of ,,ksjnre', dt'jhfOmed
N.W.2d 369;iZM)#W50.4tii~g'1. , ' '" '
.- . , . 7::rk'$l - i.: , ' claims, 'but W{S ,me&?;"dubfog@: :WtI1'
'*
ivhile
.'- , ?I'-,!,J-
4 ~ %
~ , ~ ~ . a' f. S
w&h{ masa.
t u , b ~ ~ v an,*l&m~
, i s
for .a .a@m*,;&ms.
subtogated t 6 ~ m e r sfights ' ,a&&t'i%dse ship
operator; w odt submgated to thiir 'barb-level
.parties h pwe-the ultimate dischargic..of adgbt ' pdori9 PP+OP b ,cruise ship ;,W@@r'sbad-
,*
by the pewn +do, in equity arid g d w e n c e , Nptcy , , , ~ e . , lBankr.C%dq 11, U,S.C.A.
7 bughY~twpay
. , ; .
for ittiAmerican Nat,~pjre&ts.,@.
v. Hugh& 6% N.Vf.U 330,20@3
.:--
%
:., 4 3 . e b r 3 B-R.
,,;* t . < . . , d ? . I\.,'1-
5 507(a)@),. (&.+h.re,fiemi
w.?& 28% ?%,
.
?&cration~, 294
,.. . < .
t ' <T<J
. ~ e ~~ ( .i ~ ~~ ~ sg+~g raekap)uii,.jh
~ v~ , i
n
'dr an$thdr p~~ in the place 'of pf.tedlto$ so
that &.&ion' in wkose favor it ~s.ex&rnsed
,succe&itb the rights of the creditor hrelation to ., 9 : . , I . t:'.
~ ~ u b q a t i o +fined
ba;sjhe subqtituh,af apother,,petsoa iq the p b
nt~~
' ,&a creditqr*'sot h k $he person -jn ,we
favor if
is,dercised succee+ t~ the ,rights of .the.credit01
in relation to the debt.-Bankers 'Qkt,:Co., V.
ChUins, 12p S.W.3d 576, a m a l denied, and r e
jw&ng & d e a l of appead 13enitd.--Su@$ k'32.
8 .,.;! , f r ,,'i 4