Civilrights 42U.S.C. 1983Claims Eighth Amendmentclaim Convicted Prisonerallegingexcessive

5.6

CivilRights– 42U.S.C.§ 1983Claims – Eighth AmendmentClaim– Convicted PrisonerAllegingExcessive Force

Inthiscase,[nameofplaintiff]claimsthat[nameofdefendant], while actingunder color of law, intentionally violated [nameofplaintiff]’s Eighth Amendmentrightasaprisonertobefreefromcruelandunusualpunishment.

TheConstitutionguaranteesthateverypersonwhoisconvictedofacrime ora criminaloffensehastherightnot to be subjectedtocruelandunusualpunishment.Thisincludes,ofcourse,therightnottobeassaultedorbeaten withoutlegaljustificationwhileincarcerated.

Tosucceedonthisclaim,[nameofplaintiff]must prove each of the followingfacts bya preponderance ofthe evidence:

First:That[nameofdefendant]intentionally[describetheallegedconduct];

Second:Thattheforceusedagainst[nameofplaintiff]by[nameofdefendant]wasexcessive;

Third:That[nameofdefendant]’sconductcaused[nameofplaintiff]’sinjuries;and

Fourth:That[nameofdefendant]actedundercoloroflaw.[Thepartieshaveagreedthat[nameofdefendant]actedundercoloroflaw,soyou shouldacceptthat as aprovenfact.]

Youmustdecidewhetherany forceusedinthiscasewasexcessivebasedonwhethertheforce,ifany,wasappliedinagood-faithefforttomaintainorrestorediscipline,orinsteadwhetheritwasappliedmaliciouslyorsadisticallytocause harm.Inmakingthatdecisionyoushouldconsidertheamountofforceusedinrelationshiptotheneedpresented;themotiveof[nameofdefendant];theextentof theinjuryinflicted;andanyeffortmadetotempertheseverityoftheforceused.Ofcourse,officersmaynotmaliciouslyorsadisticallyuseforcetocauseharmregardlessofthesignificanceoftheinjurytotheprisoner.Butnoteverypushor shove—even ifitlaterseemsunnecessary—isaconstitutionalviolation.Also,an officeralwayshastherighttousethereasonableforcethatisnecessaryunderthe circumstancestomaintainorderandensurecompliancewithjailorprison regulations.

For thethirdelement,[nameof defendant]’sconductcaused[nameof plaintiff]’sinjuriesif[nameofplaintiff]wouldnothavebeeninjuredwithout [nameofdefendant]’sconduct,andtheinjurieswereareasonablyforeseeable consequence of [name of defendant]’s conduct.

[Forthefourthelement,youmustdecidewhether[nameofdefendant] actedundercoloroflaw.Agovernmentofficialacts“undercolor”oflawwhen[he/she]actswithinthelimits oflawfulauthority.[He/She]alsoactsundercolor oflawwhen[he/she]claimstobeperforminganofficialdutybut[his/her]actsareoutsidethelimitsoflawfulauthorityandabusiveinmanner,or[he/she]actsinawaythatmisuses[his/her]powerandisabletodosoonlybecause[he/she]isanofficial.]

If you find [name of plaintiff] has proved each of the facts [he/she] must prove, you must find for [name of plaintiff] and consider the issue of damages. If you find that [name of plaintiff] has not proved each of these facts, then you must find for [name of defendant].

NOTE:ModelJuryInterrogatoryFormsmaybefoundintheappendicesafterthelastcivilrightsjuryinstruction(PatternInstruction5.13)foruse inactionsbroughtunder42U.S.C.§1983.ThreetypesofModelJuryInterrogatoryFormsareprovided:(A)asimplifiedInterrogatoryFormforuseinmostcivilrightactions;(B)anInterrogatoryFormforuseinactionsthatdonotrequireapplicationofthePrisonLitigationReformAct,and(C)anInterrogatoryFormforuseinactionsthatdorequireapplicationofthePrisonLitigationReformAct.