BURDICK v. TOWN OF SCHROEPPEL (2018)

SUMMARY ORDER

Appellant Steven D. Burdick, proceeding pro se, appeals from the district court’s judgment sua sponte dismissing his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 complaint against Schroeppel Town Justice Armen J. Nazarian, Oswego County Court Judge Donald Todd, the Town of Schroeppel, Oswego County, criminal defense attorney Salvatore Lanza, and Oswego County Commissioner of Jurors James Cloonan. As relevant on appeal, Burdick’s complaint alleges that Justice Nazarian and Judge Todd violated his constitutional rights through actions they undertook while presiding over his 2013 state court criminal trial and subsequent appeal. The district court sua sponte dismissed the claims against Justice Nazarian and Judge Todd with prejudice, reasoning that they were entitled to absolute judicial immunity and that the claims were also barred by Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 114 S.Ct. 2364, 129 L.Ed.2d 383 (1994). Burdick timely appeals. We assume the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts, the procedural history of the case, and the issues on appeal.

We review de novo a district court’s sua sponte dismissal under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). Hardaway v. Hartford Pub. Works Dep’t, 879 F.3d 486, 489 (2d Cir. 2018). On appeal, Burdick challenges only the district court’s determination that Justice Nazarian and Judge Todd were entitled to absolute judicial immunity. Thus, he has abandoned any challenge to the district court’s dismissal of his other claims. See LoSacco v. City of Middletown, 71 F.3d 88, 92–93 (2d Cir. 1995).

Judges acting in their judicial capacity are absolutely immune from suit, even where the plaintiff asserts constitutional violations under § 1983. Bliven v. Hunt, 579 F.3d 204, 209 (2d Cir. 2009). Absolute judicial immunity applies even if the judge allegedly acted in bad faith or with malice. Id. It can be overcome only if (1) the act is not taken in the judge’s judicial capacity, or (2) the act, “though judicial in nature, [is] taken in the complete absence of all jurisdiction.” Mireles v. Waco, 502 U.S. 9, 11–12, 112 S.Ct. 286, 116 L.Ed.2d 9 (1991). Here, the challenged acts included typical judicial acts arising out of Burdick’s 2013 criminal conviction and appeal. See Bliven, 579 F.3d at 210 (“[A]cts arising out of, or related to, individual cases before the judge are considered judicial in nature.”). Additionally, Justice Nazarian and Judge Todd had jurisdiction over the criminal conviction and appeal. See Gross v. Rell, 585 F.3d 72, 84 (2d Cir. 2009); N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law §§ 10.30, 450.60(3). Thus, the district court properly concluded that Justice Nazarian and Judge Todd were entitled to absolute judicial immunity.

We have considered Burdick’s remaining arguments and find them to be without merit. We AFFIRM the judgment of the district court.