Patrick v. Reynaga

¶1MEMORANDUM …

¶2Nicholas Patrick, a California state prisoner, appeals pro se from the district court’s judgment dismissing his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action alleging constitutional violations. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo a dismissal under 28 U.S.C § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii), Barren v. Harrington, 152 F.3d 1193, 1194 (9th Cir. 1998) (order). We may affirm on any basis supported by the record. Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1126 (9th Cir. 2000). We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.

¶3Dismissal of Patrick’s equal protection claim was proper because Patrick failed to allege facts sufficient to show that defendants discriminated against him based on his membership in a protected class. See Hebbe v. Pliler, 627 F.3d 338, 341-42 (9th Cir. 2010) (although pro se pleadings are liberally construed, a plaintiff must allege facts sufficient to state a plausible claim); Serrano v. Francis, 345 F.3d 1071, 1081-82 (9th Cir. 2003) (setting forth .elements of an equal protection claim).

¶4Patrick alleged that defendants withheld his outgoing mail to state courts. Liberally construed, these allegations are sufficient to warrant ordering defendants to file an answer. See Wilhelm v. Rotman, 680 F.3d 1113, 1116 (9th Cir. 2012); Witherow v. Paff, 52 F.3d 264, 265 (9th Cir. 1995) (describing prisoners’ First Amendment right to send and receive mail). We reverse the judgment in part and remand for further proceedings on this claim only.

¶5We do not consider arguments and allegations raised for the first time on appeal. See Padgett v. Wright, 587 F.3d 983, 985 n.2 (9th Cir. 2009).

¶6We do not consider documents not presented to the district court. See United States v. Elias, 921 F.2d 870, 874 (9th Cir. 1990) (“Documents or facts not presented to the district court are not part of the record on appeal.”).

¶7AFFIRMED in part, REVERSED in part, and REMANDED.