BROWN v. Commonwealth of Virginia, Office of The Attorney General; State/Person; Ray J. Tarasovic, Chief Of Police, Defendants. (2018)

Benjamin S. Brown appeals the district court's order denying relief on his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (2012) complaint. On appeal, we confine our review to the issues raised in the Appellant's brief. See 4th Cir. R. 34(b). Because Brown's informal brief does not challenge the district court's ruling that Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity, an independent and sufficient basis for the district court's disposition, Brown has forfeited appellate review of the court's order. See Jackson v. Lightsey, 775 F.3d 170, 177 (4th Cir. 2014) (“The informal brief is an important document; under Fourth Circuit rules, our review is limited to issues preserved in that brief.”); see also Cavallo v. Star Enter., 100 F.3d 1150, 1152 n.2 (4th Cir. 1996) (issue first raised in reply brief “is not properly before a court of appeals”). Accordingly, we affirm the district court's judgment. We deny Brown's motions for transcript at government expense and appointment of counsel. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED

PER CURIAM:

Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.