NOTICE: Fourth Circuit Local Rule 36(c) states that citation of unpublished dispositions is disfavored except for establishing res judicata, estoppel, or the law of the case and requires service of copies of cited unpublished dispositions of the Fourth Circuit.
James D. Haburn, Sr., Appellant Pro Se. John Gregory McCormick, Chapel Hill, NC, for Appellees.
Before NIEMEYER and WILLIAMS, Circuit Judges, and BUTZNER, Senior Circuit Judge.
PER CURIAM:
Appellant appeals from the district court's order denying relief on his 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1983 (1988) complaint. We have reviewed the record and the district court's opinion accepting the magistrate judge's recommendation and find no reversible error. Accordingly, we affirm substantially on the reasoning of the district court. Haburn v. Vicks, No. CA-95-29-1 (M.D.N.C. Mar. 20, 1995). We agree that, with respect to Appellant's damages claim, the district court properly dismissed that claim. See Heck v. Humphrey, 62 U.S.L.W. 4594 (U.S.1994). Further, although the district court did not address Appellant's request for declaratory and injunctive relief, to the extent that this action is properly construed as a habeas corpus action, Appellant must demonstrate that he has exhausted state court remedies. See Preiser v. Rodriguez, 411 U.S. 475, 489 (1973); Hamlin v. Warren, 664 F.2d 29 (4th Cir.1981), cert. denied, 455 U.S. 911 (1982). Because Appellant may refile his petition upon the exhaustion of state remedies, we modify the judgment to be a dismissal without prejudice. See 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2106 (1988). We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.
AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED