Case: Miniken v. Walter

2:96-cv-00407 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington

Filed Date: July 24, 1996

Closed Date: 1988

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On July 24, 1996, Donald W. Miliken, an inmate at the Airways Heights Corrections Center (AHCC) in Washington, filed a lawsuit pro se under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington against the Attorney General of Washington. Plaintiff eventually retained a private attorney. He claimed that the defendant violated his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by failing to deliver the Prison Legal News, a publication to which he subscribed, without…

On July 24, 1996, Donald W. Miliken, an inmate at the Airways Heights Corrections Center (AHCC) in Washington, filed a lawsuit pro se under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington against the Attorney General of Washington. Plaintiff eventually retained a private attorney. He claimed that the defendant violated his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by failing to deliver the Prison Legal News, a publication to which he subscribed, without any notice of mail rejection. He had been previously receiving the publication while he was incarcerated at another facility, the Washington State Penitentiary. Miliken claimed that AHCC's bulk mail policy, which prohibited subscription publications from nonprofit organization, was unconstitutionally applied to his subscription to Prison Legal News.

On August 26, 1997, the district court (Judge Justin Lowe Quackenbush) granted plaintiff's motion for summary judgment and enjoined the defendant from prohibiting delivery of the Prison Legal News. Miniken v. Walter, 978 F.Supp. 1356 (E.D.Wash. 1997). The court also denied defendant's motion for summary judgment regarding qualified immunity and directed the parties to file statements as to an appropriate damage award. On October 15, 1997, Judge Quackenbush awarded plaintiffs nominal damages, attorneys' fees, and costs and stayed the request for punitive damages. Miniken v. Walter, 1997 WL 778753 (E.D.Wash. Oct. 15, 1997). On November 2, 1998, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit dismissed the appeal pursuant to stipulation of the parties that each would pay its own costs and fees.

Summary Authors

Angela Heverling (4/17/2006)

Related Cases

Humanists of Washington v. Lehman, Western District of Washington (1997)

People


Judge(s)

Quackenbush, Justin Lowe (Washington)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Evans, Colleen B. (Washington)

Gendler, Michael W. (Washington)

Attorney for Defendant

Krier, Nancy Joan (Washington)

Mentzer, Eric (Washington)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

2:96-cv-00407

Docket (PACER)

Nov. 2, 1998

Nov. 2, 1998

Docket
55

2:96-cv-00407

Memorandum Opinion and Order Granting Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment and Denying Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment

Aug. 26, 1997

Aug. 26, 1997

Order/Opinion

978 F.Supp. 1356

67

2:96-cv-00407

Order

Minikin v. Walter

Oct. 15, 1997

Oct. 15, 1997

Order/Opinion

1997 WL 778753

Docket

Last updated March 23, 2025, 9:17 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 July 24, 1996

COMPLAINT Fee-status: pd Receipt #: 35391 (FmrEmp) (Entered: 07/26/1996)

PACER
July 24, 1996

COMPLAINT Fee-status: pd Receipt #: 35391 (FmrEmp) (Entered: 07/24/1996)

PACER
July 30, 1996

Law Clerk assigned to case is 2 (admin) (Entered: 07/30/1996)

PACER
2 Aug. 26, 1996

ORDER DIRECTING SERVICE (by Senior Judge Justin L. Quackenbush); USM directed to serve dft; response due 10/10/96; Defendants are DIRECTED to respond to Pltff's Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and/or Preliminary Injunction within eleven (11) calendar days of the date of this Order. Pltff shall have five (5) days, excluding weekends and holidays, after service of the Defendant's memorandum to file a reply memorandum. (cc: all counsel) (FmrEmp) Modified on 08/26/1996 (Entered: 08/26/1996)

PACER
3 Aug. 26, 1996

ORDER OF REFERENCE TO FEDERAL JUDICIAL MEDIATOR by Senior Judge Justin L. Quackenbush IT IS ORDERED that: 1. This case is REFERRED to Federal Judicial Mediator, Frank Hayes Johnson, for evaluation and mediation. (cc: all counsel) (ECH) (Entered: 08/26/1996)

PACER
Aug. 29, 1996

Law Clerk assigned to case is pp (admin) (Entered: 08/29/1996)

PACER
4 Sept. 3, 1996

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendants ; Atty Colleen B Evans appearing (ECH) (Entered: 09/05/1996)

PACER
5 Sept. 4, 1996

Defendants' Memorandum In Opposition To Plaintiff's Motion For Temporary Restraining Order And/Or Preliminary Injunctive Relief (ECH) (Entered: 09/05/1996)

PACER
6 Sept. 16, 1996

WAIVER of SERVICE by defendant David Buss (Fax copy) (ECH) (Entered: 09/16/1996)

PACER
7 Sept. 18, 1996

WAIVER of SERVICE by defendant Kay Walter ; (ECH) (Entered: 09/18/1996)

PACER
10 Sept. 18, 1996

Proof of service by plaintiff Donald W Miniken of: pldgs #8 & 9 (ECH) (Entered: 09/19/1996)

PACER
8 Sept. 19, 1996

MOTION by plaintiff Donald W Miniken For Extension Of Time To File Plaitniff's Reply To Defendants Opposition To Motion For Temporary Restraining Order And/Or Preliminary Injunction (ECH) (Entered: 09/19/1996)

PACER
11 Oct. 22, 1996

SUMMONS/RETURN OF SERVICE executed upon defendant Kay Walter, defendant David Buss (ECH) (Entered: 10/22/1996)

PACER
12 Nov. 7, 1996

Declaration Of Donald W. Miniken In Support Of Motion For Temporary Restraining Order And/Or Preliminary Injunction (ECH) (Entered: 11/07/1996)

PACER
13 Nov. 12, 1996

Report Of Parties' 26(f) Meeting (ECH) (Entered: 11/13/1996)

PACER
14 Nov. 12, 1996

Plaintiff's Status Report (ECH) (Entered: 11/13/1996)

PACER
15 Nov. 22, 1996

ANSWER by defendants (PW) (Entered: 11/25/1996)

PACER
16 Nov. 22, 1996

Proof of service by defendants of: #15 (PW) (Entered: 11/25/1996)

PACER
Nov. 22, 1996

Telephonic Status Conference Hearing : before Senior Judge Justin L. Quackenbush Hrg Location: Spokane; no court reporter (ECH) (Entered: 11/22/1996)

PACER
17 Nov. 25, 1996

SCHEDULING ORDER by Senior Judge Justin L. Quackenbush Disp mtn ddl: 3/3/97, Defts shall file their motion for summary judgment; resp by 3/31/97; reply by 4/10/97; telep oral arg, if requested shall be set by court once briefing is completed (cc:all counsel) (PW) (Entered: 11/25/1996)

PACER
18 Nov. 29, 1996

Notice by defendants of association of attorney Martin E Wyckoff (ECH) (Entered: 12/02/1996)

PACER
19 Feb. 10, 1997

ORDER by Senior Judge Justin L. Quackenbush finding the motion For Extension Of Time To File Plaitniff's Reply To Defendants Opposition To Motion For Temporary Restraining Order And/Or Preliminary Injunction [8-1] moot. (cc: all counsel) (ECH) (Entered: 02/10/1997)

PACER
20 March 3, 1997

Defendants' Memorandum In Support Of Defendants' Motion For Summary Judgment (ECH) (Entered: 03/03/1997)

PACER
21 March 3, 1997

Defendants' Statement Of Material Facts In Support Of Defendants' Motion For Summary Judgment [20-1] (ECH) (Entered: 03/03/1997)

PACER
22 March 3, 1997

Notice by defendants of hearing setting motion [20-1] (w/o oral argument 4:30 4/28/97 ) (ECH) (Entered: 03/03/1997)

PACER
23 March 3, 1997

Proof of service by defendants of: pldgs. #20-22 & Proposed Order (ECH) (Entered: 03/03/1997)

PACER
March 3, 1997

Proposed Order re: motion [20-1] submitted by defendants (ECH) (Entered: 03/03/1997)

PACER
25 March 7, 1997

Letter to court from plaintiff Donald W Miniken (ECH) (Entered: 03/07/1997)

PACER
26 March 24, 1997

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for Donald W Miniken ; Atty Michael W Gendler appearing (ECH) (Entered: 03/24/1997)

PACER
27 March 24, 1997

Plaintiff's Re-Submission Of Plaintiff's Reply Memorandum In Support Of Motion For Preliminary Injunction (ECH) (Entered: 03/24/1997)

PACER
28 March 24, 1997

Proof of service by plaintiff Donald W Miniken of: pldgs. # 26 & 27 (ECH) (Entered: 03/24/1997)

PACER
29 March 27, 1997

Stipulation On Summary Judgment Briefing (ECH) (Entered: 03/28/1997)

PACER
March 27, 1997

Proposed Order re: stipulation [29-1] (ECH) (Entered: 03/28/1997)

PACER
30 April 3, 1997

ORDER APPROVING STIPULATION AND REVISING SCHEDULING ORDER by Senior Judge Justin L. Quackenbush IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 1. The parties' stipulation is approved: 2. Plaintiff's response shall be due on or before April 23, 1997; 3. Defendants' reply to plaintiff's response shall be due on or before May 7, 1997. 4. Oral argument on defendants' motion for summary judgment, if requested, shall be set by the court once briefing on the motion is completed. stipulation [29-1] (cc: all counsel) (ECH) (Entered: 04/03/1997)

PACER
31 April 7, 1997

Plaitniff's MOTION For Leave To Take Depositions And For Expedited Ruling (ECH) (Entered: 04/07/1997)

PACER
32 April 7, 1997

Plaitniff's Memorandum In Support Of Motion For Leave To Take Depositions [31-1] And, For Expedited Ruling [31-2] (ECH) (Entered: 04/07/1997)

PACER
33 April 7, 1997

Declaration Of Michael W. Gendler In Support Of Motion For Leave To Take Depositions [31-1], And For Expedited Ruling [31-2] (ECH) (Entered: 04/07/1997)

PACER
34 April 7, 1997

Notice by plaintiff of hearing setting motion For Leave To Take Depositions [31-1] (w/o oral argument 4:30 5/9/97 ), setting motion For Expedited Ruling [31-2] (w/o oral argument 4:30 5/9/97 ) (ECH) (Entered: 04/07/1997)

PACER
35 April 7, 1997

Proof of service by plaintiff of: pldgs. #31-34 & Proposed Order (ECH) (Entered: 04/07/1997)

PACER
April 7, 1997

Proposed Order re: motion For Leave To Take Depositions [31-1], motion For Expedited Ruling [31-2] submitted by plaintiff Donald W Miniken (ECH) (Entered: 04/07/1997)

PACER
36 April 11, 1997

ORDER Granting Motion For Leave To Take Depositions And For Expedited Hearing by Senior Judge Justin L. Quackenbush granting plaintiff's motion For Leave To Take Depositions [31-1], granting motion For Expedited Ruling [31-2] defendants Kay Walter and David Buss shall sit for their depositions on or before 4/16/97 at a time and place to be agreed upon by counsel (cc: all counsel) (PW) (Entered: 04/11/1997)

PACER
37 April 23, 1997

Stipulation on Summary Judgment Briefing (LAM) (Entered: 04/24/1997)

PACER
38 April 25, 1997

Plaintiff's Memorandum In Opposition To Defendants' Motion For Summary Judgment, [20-1] And In Support Of Cross-Motion (ECH) Modified on 04/25/1997 (Entered: 04/25/1997)

PACER
39 April 25, 1997

Plaintiff's Statement Of Material Facts In Opposition To Defendants' Motion For Summary Judgment And In Support Of Plaintiff's Cross Motion For Summary Judgment [20-1] (ECH) (Entered: 04/25/1997)

PACER
40 April 25, 1997

Declaration If Donald W. Miniken In Opposition To Defendants' Motion For Summary Judgment [20-1] (ECH) (Entered: 04/25/1997)

PACER
41 April 25, 1997

Declaration Of Rollin Wright (ECH) (Entered: 04/25/1997)

PACER
42 April 25, 1997

Declaration Of Michael W. Gendler Re: Summary Judgment (ECH) (Entered: 04/25/1997)

PACER
43 April 25, 1997

Declaration Of Julya Hampton (ECH) (Entered: 04/25/1997)

PACER
44 April 25, 1997

Declaration Of Harold J. Tapia (ECH) (Entered: 04/25/1997)

PACER
45 April 25, 1997

Declaration Of Brian K. Richardson (ECH) (Entered: 04/25/1997)

PACER
46 April 25, 1997

Declaration Of Steven W. Ritchie (ECH) (Entered: 04/25/1997)

PACER
47 April 25, 1997

Proof of service by Donald W Miniken of: pldgs. #38-46 (ECH) (Entered: 04/25/1997)

PACER
48 May 2, 1997

ORDER APPROVING STIPULATION AND REVISING SCHEDULING ORDER by Senior Judge Justin L. Quackenbush granting stipulation [37-1] IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 1. The fparties' stipulation is approved; 2. Plaintiff's response shall be due on or before April 25, 1997; 3. Defendants' reply to plaintiff 's response shall be due on or before May 12, 1997; 4. Oral argument on defendants' motion for summary judgment, if requested, shall be set by the court once briefing on the motion is completed. (cc: all counsel) (ECH) (Entered: 05/02/1997)

PACER
49 May 7, 1997

NOTICE of Attorney Withdrawal attorney Martin E Wyckoff for David Buss, attorney Martin E Wyckoff for Kay Walter (ECH) (Entered: 05/07/1997)

PACER
50 May 8, 1997

Supplemental Declaration Of Michael W. Gendler Re: Summary Judgment [20-1] (ECH) (Entered: 05/09/1997)

PACER
51 May 12, 1997

Defendants' Supplemental Statement Of Material Facts In Support Of Defendants' Motion For Summary Judgment And In Opposition To Plaintiff's Cross-Motion For Summary Judgment [20-1] (ECH) (Entered: 05/12/1997)

PACER
52 May 12, 1997

Declaration Of Colleen B. Evans In Support Of Motin For Summary Judgment [20-1] (ECH) (Entered: 05/12/1997)

PACER
53 May 12, 1997

Proof of service by defendants of: pldgs #51 & 52 (ECH) (Entered: 05/12/1997)

PACER
54 May 12, 1997

Defendants' Reply Memorandum In Support Of Defendants' Motion For Summary Judgment And In Opposition To Plaintiff's Cross-Motion For Summary Judgment [20-1] (ECH) (Entered: 05/13/1997)

PACER
55 Aug. 26, 1997

Memorandum Opinion And Order Granting Plaintiff's Motion For Summary Judgment And Denying Defendants' Motion For Summary Judgment by Senior Judge Justin L. Quackenbush - IT IS FURTHER ORDERED: 1. Defendants are HEREBY PERMANENTLY ENJOINED from prohibiting delivery of an inmate's paid-for subscription to a profit or nonprofit publication based only on the fact that it is mailed to the inmate by "standard mail." This injunction in no way prohibits Defendants from prohibiting mass mailings or other truly "bulk mail" that are mailed to the institution by "standard mail." 2. On or before September 12, 1997 the parties shall serve and file any statement concerning an appropriate damage award. Plaintiff is also entitled to recover his reasonable attorney fees. On or before September 12, 1997, counsel for Plaintiff shall serve and file a statment setting forth the hours expended and the reasonable fee per hour to litigate this case. Defendants shall serve and file any objections on or before September 19, 1997. The court will then direct entry of a Final Judgment including an appropriate award of damages and a reasonable award of attorney fees. denying motion [20-1] (cc: all counsel) COB: 153-83 (ECH) (Entered: 08/26/1997)

PACER
56 Sept. 12, 1997

Plaintiff's Statement On Damages (ECH) (Entered: 09/12/1997)

PACER
57 Sept. 12, 1997

Plaintiff's Statement On Reasonable Attorneys' Fees (ECH) (Entered: 09/12/1997)

PACER
58 Sept. 12, 1997

Proof of service by plaintiff Donald W Miniken of: pldgs. #56 & 57 (ECH) (Entered: 09/12/1997)

PACER
59 Sept. 18, 1997

Defendants' Statement In Opposition To Plaintiff's Statement On Damages And Statement On Reasonable Attorneys' Fees (ECH) (Entered: 09/18/1997)

PACER
60 Sept. 22, 1997

Plaikntiff's Reply To Defendants' Statement On Damages And Reasonable Attorneys' Fees [59-1] (ECH) (Entered: 09/23/1997)

PACER
62 Sept. 24, 1997

Notice of appeal by defendant Kay Walter, defendant David Buss from Dist. Court decision - Memorandum Opinion & Order Granting Pltff's Motion for Summary Judgment & Denying Defts' Motion for Summary Judgment filed 8/26/97 [55-1] (cc: all counsel and 9CCA) (VR) (Entered: 09/26/1997)

PACER
61 Sept. 25, 1997

Supplemental Statement of costs by plaintiff, (PW) (Entered: 09/25/1997)

PACER
63 Sept. 26, 1997

Copy 9CCA Docket Fee Payment Notification form. Original Fee Payment form, case information sheet and copy of docket entries forwarded to 9CCA. (VR) (Entered: 09/26/1997)

PACER
64 Sept. 26, 1997

Copy 9CCA certificate of record - Original forwarded to 9CCA (NO REPORTED/RECORDED PROCEEDINGS) (VR) (Entered: 09/26/1997)

PACER
65 Oct. 6, 1997

Notification by Circuit Court of Appellate Docket Number [62-1] 9CCA Number: 97-35913 Date appeal filed: 9/24/97 (VR) (Entered: 10/06/1997)

PACER
66 Oct. 6, 1997

COPY of 9CCA Time Schedule Order (CCA: 97-35913) (Opening brief 11/12/97; Appellee's brief 12/12/97) (VR) (Entered: 10/06/1997)

PACER
68 Oct. 15, 1997

JUDGMENT: by Senior Judge Justin L. Quackenbush (cc: all counsel) COB: 154-85 (ECH) (Entered: 10/15/1997)

PACER
Oct. 24, 1997

Bill of costs submitted by plaintiff Donald W Miniken (ECH) (Entered: 10/24/1997)

PACER
69 Nov. 13, 1997

Notice of appeal by plaintiff Donald W Miniken from Dist. Court decision: Order directing Entry of Judgment, Staying request for Punitive Damages and awarding reasonable atty fees dated 10/15/97 [67-2] (cc: all counsel and 9CCA) (KH) (Entered: 11/20/1997)

PACER
70 Nov. 13, 1997

Declaration by plaintiff Donald W Miniken re appeal [69-1] (KH) (Entered: 11/20/1997)

PACER
71 Nov. 20, 1997

Copy 9CCA Docket Fee Payment Notification form. Original Fee Payment form, case information sheet and copy of docket entries forwarded to 9CCA. Fee paid: Receipt 038227 (KH) Modified on 11/20/1997 (Entered: 11/20/1997)

PACER
72 Nov. 20, 1997

Copy 9CCA certificate of record - Original forwarded to 9CCA (KH) (Entered: 11/20/1997)

PACER
73 Nov. 21, 1997

Costs taxed for plaintiff Donald W Miniken in the amount of $ 1,601.27 against Kay Walter, David Buss (cc: all counsel) (ECH) (Entered: 11/21/1997)

PACER
74 Nov. 28, 1997

Plaintiff's MOTION To Publish Memorandum Opinion (ECH) (Entered: 11/28/1997)

PACER
75 Nov. 28, 1997

Plaintiff's Memorandum In Support Of Motion To Publish Memorandum Opinion [74-1] (ECH) (Entered: 11/28/1997)

PACER
76 Nov. 28, 1997

Notice by plaintiff Donald W Miniken of hearing setting motion To Publish Memorandum Opinion [74-1] (w/o oral argument 4:30 1/5/98 ) (ECH) (Entered: 11/28/1997)

PACER
77 Nov. 28, 1997

Proof of service by plaintiff Donald W Miniken of: pldgs. #74-76 (ECH) (Entered: 11/28/1997)

PACER
78 Dec. 3, 1997

Notification by Circuit Court of Appellate Docket Number [69-1] 9CCA Number: 97-36072 Date appeal filed: 11/13/97 (KH) (Entered: 12/03/1997)

PACER
79 Dec. 3, 1997

COPY of 9CCA Time Schedule Order (KH) (Entered: 12/03/1997)

PACER
80 Dec. 16, 1997

ORDER by Senior Judge Justin L. Quackenbush granting motion To Publish Memorandum Opinion [74-1] (cc: all counsel) (ECH) (Entered: 12/18/1997)

PACER
81 May 14, 1998

Notice of Withdrawal and Substitution of counsel: Nancy Joan Krier, Eric Andrew Mentzer replacing attorney Colleen B Evans and Mary E. Fairhurst for David Buss, attorney Colleen B Evans and Mary E Fairhurst for Kay Walter (LE) (Entered: 05/14/1998)

PACER
May 15, 1998

End file #3 (LE) (Entered: 05/15/1998)

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

Washington

Case Type(s):

Prison Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 24, 1996

Closing Date: 1988

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Prisoner bringing action against prison officials after officials rejected under prison mail regulation governing bulk mail delivery of legal newsletter to which prisoner had subscribed

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State

Airway Heights Correctional Center

Washington DOC

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of Washington 2:96-cv-00407

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Damages

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Issues

General/Misc.:

Mail

Recommended Citation