HOAG v. CITY OF QUINCY (2018)

MEMORANDUM ***

Daniel M. Hoag appeals a summary judgment in favor of Officer Thomas Clark and the City of Quincy in this action alleging violations of the federal and Washington constitutions. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and affirm.

1. The district court did not err in finding that Officer Clark was entitled to qualified immunity on Hoag’s Fourth Amendment claim. Even assuming that Washington law only authorizes state troopers to inspect the log books of commercial trucks, it would not have been “clear to a reasonable officer” that a city policeman violated the Fourth Amendment by doing so. Dist. of Columbia v. Wesby, ––– U.S. ––––, 138 S.Ct. 577, 590, 199 L.Ed.2d 453 (2018) (quoting Saucier v. Katz, 533 U.S. 194, 202, 121 S.Ct. 2151, 150 L.Ed.2d 272 (2001) ); see United States v. Delgado, 545 F.3d 1195, 1198, 1202 (9th Cir. 2008) (holding that the “warrantless inspection of commercial vehicles” is constitutional).¹

2. The district court also did not err in granting summary judgment on the state constitutional claims. The Washington Supreme Court has not recognized a private right of action under Article I, § 7 of the Washington Constitution. See Reid v. Pierce Cty., 136 Wash.2d 195, 961 P.2d 333, 342–43 (1998). Even assuming that the Court might do so in the future, Hoag makes no argument for doing so under the circumstances of this case. See Miller v. Fairchild Indus., Inc., 797 F.2d 727, 738 (9th Cir. 1986) (providing for forfeiture of arguments not developed in the opening brief).²

3. The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Hoag’s motion to certify questions to the Washington Supreme Court. See Louie v. United States, 776 F.2d 819, 824 (9th Cir. 1985) (“Use of the certification procedure in any given case ‘rests in the sound discretion of the federal court.’ ”) (quoting Lehman Bros. v. Schein, 416 U.S. 386, 391, 94 S.Ct. 1741, 40 L.Ed.2d 215 (1974) ). Even assuming that Washington law allows only state troopers to inspect log books, this limitation would not establish that Officer Clark violated Hoag’s state or federal constitutional rights.

AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

1.   Because Hoag did not show a municipal “policy or custom” that inflicted the alleged constitutional injury, his claims against the City fail. See Monell v. Dep’t of Soc. Servs. of City of N.Y., 436 U.S. 658, 694, 98 S.Ct. 2018, 56 L.Ed.2d 611 (1978).

2.   Hoag also argues that the City of Quincy is liable under Article XI, § 11 of the Washington Constitution, which provides a city may only “make and enforce within its limits all such local police ․ and other regulations as are not in conflict with general laws.” But even assuming that there is a private right of action under this provision, Hoag has not identified a city regulation that conflicts with the state law; he argues only that Officer Clark violated state law.