GEORGE DANIEL v. JOSEPH RICHARDS (2017)

MEMORANDUM*

George Daniel appeals pro se from the district court's summary judgment in his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action alleging unlawful seizure, excessive force, and unconstitutional county policies. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo. Blankenhorn v. City of Orange, 485 F.3d 463, 470 (9th Cir. 2007). We affirm.

The district court properly granted summary judgment on Daniel's unlawful seizure claim against defendants Officer Richards and Officer Hawks because Daniel failed to raise a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether those defendants arrested him without probable cause. See Edgerly v. City & County of San Francisco, 599 F.3d 946, 953-54 (9th Cir. 2010) (probable cause exists when facts and circumstances within the officer's knowledge “were sufficient to warrant a prudent man in believing that the [plaintiff] had committed or was committing an offense,” and the offense need not be the stated reason for arrest).

The district court properly granted summary judgment on Daniel's excessive force claim against Officer Richards and Officer Hawks because Daniel failed to raise a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether those defendants' actions were objectively reasonable in light of the facts and circumstances. See Hooper v. County of San Diego, 629 F.3d 1127, 1133 (9th Cir. 2011) (stating the test for excessive force).

The district court properly granted summary judgment on Daniel's excessive force claim against defendants Sheriff Freitas and Assistant Sheriff Walker because Daniel failed to raise a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether those defendants were personally involved in the constitutional deprivation, there was a sufficient causal connection between those defendants' conduct and the constitutional deprivation, or those defendants implemented a constitutionally deficient policy. See Starr v. Baca, 652 F.3d 1202, 1208 (9th Cir. 2011) (supervisory liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 exists if supervisor was personally involved or there is a sufficient causal connection); Mackinney v. Nielsen, 69 F.3d 1002, 1008 (9th Cir. 1995) (supervisory liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 exists when a supervisory official implements a policy “so deficient that the policy itself is a repudiation of constitutional rights”).

The district court properly granted summary judgment on Daniel's claim related to his bail as to Sheriff Freitas and Assistant Sheriff Walker because Daniel failed to raise a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether those defendants personally participated in the constitutional deprivation or there was a sufficient causal connection between those defendants' conduct and the constitutional deprivation. See Starr, 625 F.3d at 1208.

The district court properly granted summary judgment on Daniel's Monell v. Department of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658 (1978) claims because he failed to establish any underlying constitutional violation or demonstrate an established custom or policy. See Henry v. County of Shasta, 132 F.3d 512, 517 (9th Cir. 1997) (municipal defendant can only be liable under § 1983 if actions were taken pursuant to custom or policy); City of Los Angeles v. Heller, 475 U.S. 796, 799 (1986) (must establish underlying harm for Monell liability).

The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying leave to amend. See Jackson v. Bank of Haw., 902 F.2d 1385, 1387 (9th Cir. 1990) (setting forth standard of review and noting that such a motion may be denied if it would produce an undue delay in the litigation).

We do not consider matters that have not been specifically and distinctly raised and argued in an appellant's opening brief or that were not raised below. Padgett v. Wright, 587 F.3d 983, 985 n.2 (9th Cir. 2009).

AFFIRMED.