Strandberg v. City Of Helena, 791 F.2d 744 (9th Cir. 1986). · Go Syfert
Strandberg v. City Of Helena, 791 F.2d 744 (9th Cir. 1986). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
268 citation events (200 in the last 25 years) across 58 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Desiree McGuire v. Roseville Joint Union High School District (ca9, 2026-01-06)
Treatment trajectory · 1986 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1986 2006 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Desiree McGuire v. Roseville Joint Union High School District
9th Cir. · 2026 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
he ninth amendment has never been recognized as independently securing any constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Firestone v. Yellen
D. Or. · 2024 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
he ninth amendment has never been recognized as independently securing any constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Criner v. Godwin
M.D. Fla. · 2023 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
he inth mendment has never been recognized as independently securing any constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Jones v. Dorminey
M.D. Fla. · 2022 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
he ninth amendment has never been recognized as independently securing any constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Futrell v. Cooper
W.D.N.C. · 2021 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the ninth amendment has never been recognized as independently securing any constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Crossley v. State of California
S.D. Cal. · 2020 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the ninth 3 amendment has never been recognized as independently securing any constitutional 4 right
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Ralls v. Facebook
W.D. Wash. · 2016 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
he inth mendment has never been recognized as independently securing any constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Travis Justin Cuellar v. The Madera County Sheriff Jail Division, et al. (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
if the limitations on access are reasonable, there is no first amendment 14 violation
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) (PC) McGee v. Galager
E.D. Cal. · 2024 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
he inth mendment has never been recognized as independently securing any constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) (PC) Chillis v. Neuschmid
E.D. Cal. · 2020 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
if the limitations on access are reasonable, there is no first 4 amendment violation.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Onyiuke v. NEW JERSEY STATE SUPREME COURT
D.N.J. · 2006 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the ninth amendment is not the basis for a private cause of action under the civil rights statute.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Amilcar Joshua Quintana v. Allen, et al.
W.D. Va. · 2026 · confidence medium
However, that amendment “creates no constitutional rights.” Wohlford v. United States Dep’t of Agric., No. 87-2043, 1988 WL 24281, at *1 (4th Cir. Mar. 17, 1988) (citing Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ryan Joel Hopson v. Chavez, et al.
E.D. Cal. · 2026 · confidence medium
Phone Calls 15 “Prisoners have a First Amendment right to telephone access, subject to reasonable 16 security limitations.” Keenan v. Hall, 83 F.3d 1083, 1092 (9th Cir. 1996) (citing Strandberg v. 17 City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 747 (9th Cir. 1986)), amended by 135 F.3d 1318 (9th Cir. 18 1998); see also Johnson v. California, 207 F.3d 650, 656 (9th Cir. 2000) (per curiam) (concluding 19 no right to a specific phone rate).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lashawn D. Fitch v. Anthony Degner, et al.
D.N.J. · 2025 · confidence medium
Although prisoners may have a limited First Amendment right to communicate with family and friends, see Overton, 539 U.S. at 131-32 , “prisoners ‘ha[ve] no right to unlimited telephone use,’ and reasonable restrictions on telephone privileges do not violate their First Amendment rights.” Almahdi v. Ashcroft, 310 F. App’x 519, 522 (3d Cir. 2009) (per curiam) (quoting Washington v. Reno, 35 F.3d 1093 (6th Cir. 1994)). “[A] prisoner’s right to telephone access is ‘subject to rational limitations in the face of legitimate security interests of the penal institution.’” Id. (citi…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Maurice Daronte Davis v. Jeff Macomber, et al.
E.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
However, “the ninth amendment has never been recognized as independently securing any constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil 28 rights claim.” Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986). 1 facial injuries.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bossart v. King County
W.D. Wash. · 2025 · confidence medium
Because binding precedent 3 forecloses this legal theory, Plaintiffs cannot establish the constitutional violation 4 necessary for their Fifth Amendment claim. 5 3.3 Dismissal is with prejudice. 6 “Dismissal with prejudice and without leave to amend is not appropriate 7 unless it is clear . . . that the complaint could not be saved by amendment.” 8 Eminence Capital, L.L.C. v. Aspeon, Inc., 316 F.3d 1048, 1052 (9th Cir.2003). 9 Dismissal with prejudice is appropriate here because amendment would be futile. 10 The Ninth Amendment cannot create Section 1983 liability as a matter of law, 11 St…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) MAZIE v. UNITED STATES
E.D. Pa. · 2025 · confidence medium
Cal. May 3, 2016) (“The Tenth Amendment ‘creates no constitutional rights cognizable in civil rights cause of action.’”) (quoting Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 749 (9th Cir. 1986)); see also McDonald v. City of Chicago, 561 U.S. 742 , 851 n.20 (2010) (Thomas, J., concurring in the judgment) (explaining that the Tenth Amendment is an “obvious example[]” of a constitutional provision that is “not readily construed as protecting rights that belong to individuals”).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Estate of Daniel Hernandez v. City of Los Angeles
9th Cir. · 2025 · confidence medium
In Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 746 (9th Cir. 1986), parents of a 22-year-old decedent asserted constitutional claims against state officials after their son hung himself in prison.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ballard v. IDOC
D. Idaho · 2025 · confidence medium
But the Ninth Amendment “has never been recognized as independently securing any constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim.” Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Watkins v. Kootenai County Sheriff's Office
D. Idaho · 2025 · confidence medium
But the Ninth Amendment “has never been recognized as independently securing any constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim.” Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Blackwell v. Alsbrook
W.D. Va. · 2025 · confidence medium
“Instead, a prisoner’s right to telephone access is ‘subject to rational limitations in the face of legitimate security interests of the penal institution.’” Id. (quoting Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 747 (9th Cir. 1986)); see also Valdez v. Rosenbaum, 302 F.3d 1039, 1049 (9th Cir. 2002) (explaining that a restriction on telephone access did not violate a pretrial detainee’s free speech rights since it was rationally related to a legitimate government interest and detainees had alternative means of communicating with persons outside the prison).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Widner v. Alsbrook
W.D. Va. · 2025 · confidence medium
“Instead, a prisoner’s right to telephone access is ‘subject to rational limitations in the face of legitimate security interests of the penal institution.” Id. (quoting Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 747 (9th Cir. 1986)); see also Valdez v. Rosenbaum, 302 F.3d 1039, 1049 (9th Cir. 2002) (explaining that a restriction on telephone access did not violate a pretrial detainee’s free speech rights since it was rationally related to a legitimate government interest and detainees had alternative means of communicating with persons outside the prison).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Queen v. Hernandez (2×) also: Cited "see"
W.D. Va. · 2025 · confidence medium
However, that amendment “creates no constitutional rights.” Wohlford v. United States Dep’t of Agric., No. 87-2043, 1988 WL 24281, at *1 (4th Cir. Mar. 17, 1988) (citing Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Alex v. Munfrada
D. Mont. · 2025 · confidence medium
“The Supreme Court has repeatedly voiced concern that a section 1983 claim be based on a specific constitutional guarantee.” Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) FITCH v. DEGNER
D.N.J. · 2025 · confidence medium
Although prisoners may have a limited First Amendment right to communicate with family and friends, see Overton v. Bazzetta, 539 U.S. 126, 131-32 (2003), “prisoners ‘ha[ve] no right to unlimited telephone use,’ and reasonable restrictions on telephone privileges do not violate their First Amendment rights.” Almahdi v. Ashcroft, 310 F. App’x 519, 522 (3d Cir. 2009) (per curiam) (quoting Washington v. Reno, 35 F.3d 1093 (6th Cir. 1994)). “[A] prisoner’s right to telephone access is ‘subject to rational limitations in the face of legitimate security interests of the penal institut…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) CHILDS v. CURRAN FROMHOLD CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
E.D. Pa. · 2025 · confidence medium
“Rather, a prisoner’s right to telephone access is ‘subject to rational limitations in the face of legitimate security interests of the penal institution.’” Id. (quoting Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 747 (9th Cir. 1986)); see also Randall v. Cnty. of Berks, Pennsylvania, No. 14-5091, 2015 WL 5027542 , at *17 (E.D.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Hines v. Dzurenda
D. Nev. · 2024 · confidence medium
So I 18 dismiss this claim with prejudice for failure to state a claim because further leave to amend 19 would be futile. 20 21 28 Valdez v. Rosenbaum, 302 F.3d 1039, 1048 (9th Cir. 2002). 22 29 Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 747 (9th Cir. 1986). 30 United States v. Van Poyck, 77 F.3d 285, 290-91 (9th Cir. 1996) (finding that “any expectation 23 in outbound calls from prison is not objectively reasonable and that the Fourth Amendment is not triggered by the routine taping of such calls.”). 1 D.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) McPherson v. Benedict
S.D. Ga. · 2024 · confidence medium
Ala. Aug. 20, 2007) (quoting Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 747 (9th Cir. 1986)). 620 F. App’x 709, 711 (11th Cir. 2015) (“Generally, when a more carefully drafted complaint might state a claim, a district court should give a pro se plaintiff at least one chance to amend the complaint before the court dismisses the action.”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Marshall v. Alameda Contra Costa Transit District
N.D. Cal. · 2024 · confidence medium
Ninth Amendment 21 The Ninth Amendment states that “[t]he enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, 22 shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” This “has never been 23 recognized as independently securing any constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil 24 rights claim.” Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Hines v. Dzurenda
D. Nev. · 2024 · confidence medium
If Hines chooses to amend this claim, he must allege true 20 21 30 Valdez v. Rosenbaum, 302 F.3d 1039, 1048 (9th Cir. 2002). 22 31 Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 747 (9th Cir. 1986). 32 United States v. Van Poyck, 77 F.3d 285, 290-91 (9th Cir. 1996) (finding that “any expectation 23 in outbound calls from prison is not objectively reasonable and that the Fourth Amendment is not triggered by the routine taping of such calls.”). 1 facts sufficient to show that any of the defendants interfered with his ability to contact people 2 residing outside of prison walls for no valid reas…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) DOE v. MILLER
E.D. Pa. · 2024 · confidence medium
Pa. Aug. 24, 2015) (noting that “a pretrial detainee does not have unfettered telephone access”). “[A] pretrial detainee’s right to telephone access is ‘subject to rational limitations in the face of legitimate security interests of the penal institution.’” Id. (citing Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 747 (9th Cir. 1986)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Tijerina v. State of Idaho
D. Idaho · 2024 · confidence medium
Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bowers v. City of Porterville
E.D. Cal. · 2024 · confidence medium
Third Claim for Violation of Ninth Amendment 10 The Ninth Amendment provides that “the enumeration in the Constitution, of certain 11 rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” Strandberg v. 12 City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Vela v. The State Bar of California
E.D. Cal. · 2024 · confidence medium
Such amendment “has never been 18 recognized as independently security any constitution right, for purposes of pursuing a civil 19 rights claim.” Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986); accord Jenkins v. 20 C.I.R., 483 F.3d 90, 92 (2d Cir. 2007) (“The Ninth Amendment is not an independent source of 21 individual rights . . . .”) Accordingly, Plaintiff cannot state a claim under the Ninth Amendment. 22 E.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Johnson v. Clark County Sheriff
W.D. Wash. · 2024 · confidence medium
Additionally, a § 4 1983 claim cannot be based on an alleged violation of the Ninth Amendment because 5 “the ninth amendment has never been recognized as independently securing any 6 constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim” and “[t]he Supreme 7 Court has repeatedly voiced concern that a section 1983 claim be based on a specific 8 constitutional guarantee.” Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 9 1986). 10 Defendants’ summary judgment motion on Johnson’s Fifth Amendment and Ninth 11 Amendment claims is GRANTED and those claims are DIS…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Merrick 099252 v. Shinn
D. Ariz. · 2024 · confidence medium
(Doc. 116 at 11, 13–14.) 13 Prisoners have a right to telephone access, but “this right is subject to reasonable 14 limitations arising from the legitimate penological and administrative interests of the prison 15 system.” Johnson v. California, 207 F.3d 650, 656 (9th Cir. 2000) (citing Strandberg v. 16 City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 747 (9th Cir. 1986)); Keenan v. Hall, 83 F.3d 1083 , 1092 17 (9th Cir. 1996).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) DANTZLER, SR. v. RUSSELL
E.D. Pa. · 2024 · confidence medium
Although prisoners may have a limited First Amendment right to communicate with family and friends, see Overton v. Bazzetta, 539 U.S. 126, 131-32 (2003), “prisoners ‘ha[ve] no right to unlimited telephone use,’ and reasonable restrictions on telephone privileges do not violate their First Amendment rights.” Almahdi v. Ashcroft, 310 F. App’x 519, 522 (3d Cir. 2009) (per curiam) (quoting Washington v. Reno, 35 F.3d 1093 (6th Cir. 1994)). “[A] prisoner’s right to telephone access is ‘subject to rational limitations in the face of legitimate security interests of the penal institut…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Vela v. ATT
E.D. Cal. · 2024 · confidence medium
The Ninth Amendment does not provide a basis upon which Plaintiff may impose liability under § 1983 because it does not “independently [secure] any constitutional rights. . . .” Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986) (citations omitted); Ramirez v. Butte-Silver Bow County, 298 F.3d 1022 , 26 1029 (9th Cir. 2002) (Ninth Amendment claim properly dismissed because plaintiffs may not “ ‘double up’ constitutional claims), aff’d sub nom.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (PC) Cordova v. Wellpath Healthcare
E.D. Cal. · 2024 · confidence medium
However, such amendment “has never been recognized as independently 16 securing any constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim.” Strandberg v. 17 City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986); accord Jenkins v. C.I.R., 483 F.3d 90, 93 (2d 18 Cir. 2007) (“The Ninth Amendment is not an independent source of individual rights. . . .”). 19 Accordingly, plaintiff cannot state a claim under the Ninth Amendment. 20 Americans with Disabilities Act 21 Plaintiff alleges a violation of Title II of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination on the 22 basis of disability.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Vela v. ATT
E.D. Cal. · 2024 · confidence medium
The First 6 Amendment provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or 7 prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right 8 of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” 9 Construing Plaintiff’s complaint liberally, the First Amendment does not appear to give rise to any 10 claim against AT&T for alleged unfair business practices.1 11 The Ninth Amendment provides that “the enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, 12 shall not be con…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Robinson v. BMO Harris Bank NA
D. Ariz. · 2024 · confidence medium
However, the “[N]inth [A]mendment has never 5 been recognized as independently securing any constitutional right, for purposes of 6 pursuing a civil rights claim.” Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 7 1986), cited with approval in Nickler v. Cty. of Clark, 752 F. App’x 427 , 429 (9th Cir. 8 2018); Sanborn v. Kale, 2021 WL 4777548 , at *3 (W.D.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Juliana v. United States of America
D. Or. · 2023 · confidence medium
Mot. at 21; Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Williams v. Brown
D. Or. · 2023 · confidence medium
However, the Ninth Amendment “has never been recognized as independently securing any constitutional fight for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim.” Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) MAY v. GEORGE W. HILL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
E.D. Pa. · 2023 · confidence medium
Although prisoners may have a limited First Amendment right to communicate with family and friends, see Overton v. Bazzetta, 539 U.S. 126, 131-32 (2003), “prisoners ‘ha[ve] no right to unlimited telephone use,’ and reasonable restrictions on telephone privileges do not violate their First Amendment rights.” Almahdi v. Ashcroft, 310 F. App’x 519, 522 (3d Cir. 2009) (per curiam) (quoting Washington v. Reno, 35 F.3d 1093 (6th Cir. 1994)). “[A] prisoner’s right to telephone access is ‘subject to rational limitations in the face of legitimate security interests of the penal institut…
cited Cited as authority (rule) (PC) Taylor v. Carbullido
E.D. Cal. · 2023 · confidence medium
Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 747 (9th 21 Cir. 1986).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) (PC) Mendoza v. Matteson (2×) also: Cited "see"
E.D. Cal. · 2023 · confidence medium
The Court 12 below discusses each category of legal theories, as well as various pleading defects with respect 13 to the individual defendants named. 14 A. Freedom of Speech 15 The Ninth Circuit has held that “[p]risoners have a First Amendment right to 16 telephone access, subject to reasonable security limitations.” Keenan v. Hall, 83 F.3d 1083 , 1092 17 (9th Cir. 1996) (citing Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 747 (9th Cir. 1986)), amended 18 by 135 F.3d 1318 (9th Cir. 1998); see also Johnson v. California, 207 F.3d 650, 656 (9th Cr. 19 2000) (per curiam) (concluding no right …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jackson v. Welborn
W.D. Wash. · 2023 · confidence medium
Ninth Amendment claim 26 The Ninth Amendment “has never been recognized as independently securing any 27 constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim.” Strandberg v. City of 1 Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Doe v. Wentzville R-IV School District
E.D. Mo. · 2023 · confidence medium
Mo. Aug. 24, 2005); Walker v. Shafer, 22-1610, 2022 WL 4870368 , at *1 (8th Cir. Oct. 4, 2022) (per curiam) (citing Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ford v. Northam
W.D. Va. · 2023 · confidence medium
“The Ninth Amendment has never been recognized as independently securing any constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim.” Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 748 (9th Cir. 1986).
cited Cited as authority (rule) THOMAS v. CLARK
W.D. Pa. · 2023 · confidence medium
Appx. 55, 57 (3d Cir. 2007) (quoting Strandberg v. City of Helena, 791 F.2d 744, 747 (9" Cir. 1986)).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Ruth Strandberg, Personal Representative of the Estate of Edward Jay Strandberg, Deceased, as Personal Representative and on Her Own Behalf, and Howard Strandberg
v.
The City of Helena, Jack Williams, Individually and as Chief of Police of the City of Helena Elmer Frank Melton, Individually and as a Police Officer of the City of Helena Fred D. Valiton, Individually and as a Police Officer of the City of Helena James Victor Beneventi, Individually and as a Police Officer of the City of Helena Peter James Hartman, Individually and as a Police Officer of the City of Helena William Ware, Individually and as Acting Police Chief of the City of Helena Barbara Marie Sullivan, Individually and as Police Dispatcher of the Helena Police Department of the City of Helena
85-3505.
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Jun 10, 1986.
791 F.2d 744

791 F.2d 744

Ruth STRANDBERG, Personal Representative of the Estate of
Edward Jay Strandberg, Deceased, as Personal
Representative and on her own behalf,
and Howard Strandberg,
Plaintiffs-Appellants,
v.
The CITY OF HELENA, Jack Williams, Individually and as Chief
of Police of the City of Helena; Elmer Frank Melton,
Individually and as a Police Officer of the City of Helena;
Fred D. Valiton, Individually and as a Police Officer of the
City of Helena; James Victor Beneventi, Individually and as
a Police Officer of the City of Helena; Peter James
Hartman, Individually and as a Police Officer of the City of
Helena; William Ware, Individually and as Acting Police
Chief of the City of Helena; Barbara Marie Sullivan,
Individually and as Police Dispatcher of the Helena Police
Department of the City of Helena, Defendants-Appellees.

Nos. 84-4264, 85-3505.

United States Court of Appeals,
Ninth Circuit.

Argued and Submitted Jan. 10, 1986.
Decided June 10, 1986.

Ann L. Smoyer, Helena, Mont., Jeanette Ellen Berry, Bozeman, Mont., for plaintiffs-appellants.

William P. Driscoll, Ronald F. Waterman, Gough, Shanahan, Johnson & Waterman, Helena, Mont., for defendants-appellees.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Montana.

Before SKOPIL, NELSON and BOOCHEVER, Circuit Judges.

SKOPIL, Circuit Judge:

[*~744]1

The plaintiffs-appellants, Ruth and Howard Strandberg ("Strandbergs"), appeal from a district court's grant of partial summary judgment against them in their civil rights action against the defendants ("City"). We affirm.

I. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

2

On June 7, 1981 Edward Strandberg, the son of Ruth and Howard Strandberg, was arrested in Helena, Montana for driving a motorcycle without a license plate, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, and reckless driving. He was taken to the police station and incarcerated during the booking procedure. Approximately thirty minutes after Edward Strandberg was incarcerated, the police found him dead, hanging from the jail cell ceiling.

3

The Strandbergs, on behalf of Edward Strandberg and on their own behalf, filed an action against the City, the Chief of Police, the police dispatcher, and all officers on duty the evening of Edward Strandberg's death. The Strandbergs alleged, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Secs. 1981, 1983, and 1986 (1982), violations of Edward Strandberg's rights under the first, fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth, ninth, tenth, and fourteenth amendments. They also alleged, on their own behalf, a violation of their fourteenth amendment right to parent. Finally, the Strandbergs alleged pendent state claims for assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and gross negligence.

4

The defendants moved to dismiss, inter alia, the Strandbergs' cause of action based on deprivation of the right to parent. The motion was granted. Thereafter, the Strandbergs moved for summary judgment on the issue of the defendants' liability. The defendants moved for summary judgment on all the federal causes of action and dismissal of the state claims for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The district court granted the defendants' motion for summary judgment as to all the federal claims except the alleged violation of the plaintiffs' fifth and fourteenth amendment due process rights.

5

The Strandbergs moved the court to certify its order regarding both parties' motions for summary judgment pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 54(b). The Strandbergs also moved the court to amend its order pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1292(b), in order to enable them to petition this court for permissive appeal. Fed.R.App.P. 5(a). That motion was granted and this court granted the Strandbergs' request for permissive appeal.

II. MERITS

6

A. First and Sixth Amendment Claims.

7

The Strandbergs claim Edward Strandberg was deprived of his sixth amendment right to counsel, to a jury trial, and to be informed of the nature of the accusations against him. They also argue the defendants violated the decedent's first amendment rights. The district court dismissed the decedent's first and sixth amendment claims, stating:

8

Considering the fact that the decedent hung himself after only thirty minutes in jail while the police were still in the process of booking him, the Court fails to see how such a short delay could rise to the level of a constitutional violation. The Court will not speculate as to whether the decedent would have been allowed to call an attorney or have one provided for him within a reasonable time had he lived.

9

The Strandbergs mistakenly argue the district court misapprehended their allegations regarding the first and sixth amendments as procedural due process violations rather than substantive due process violations. The first and sixth amendments do not contain substantive and procedural components.

10

They further claim the district court erroneously relied on Parratt v. Taylor, 451 U.S. 527, 101 S.Ct. 1908, 68 L.Ed.2d 420 (1981), in dismissing these claims. The district court never mentioned Parratt, nor did it rely on Parratt in reaching its decision. It simply found there were no cognizable constitutional claims presented with regard to the first and sixth amendments.

11

The right to counsel does not attach until "at or after the initiation of adversary judicial criminal proceedings--whether by way of formal charge, preliminary hearing, indictment, information, or arraignment." Kirby v. Illinois, 406 U.S. 682, 689, 92 S.Ct. 1877, 1882, 32 L.Ed.2d 411 (1972); United States v. Karr, 742 F.2d 493, 495 (9th Cir.1984). In this case the decedent had not yet been charged. The police were still in the process of booking him. In the thirty minutes the decedent waited for formal charges, no critical stage of prosecution was implicated which constitutionally required counsel be present. Because he had no right to have counsel present, the decedent had no sixth amendment right to place a phone call to his attorney. Rodgers v. Lincoln Towing Service, Inc., 771 F.2d 194, 199 (7th Cir.1985) (citing State Bank of St. Charles v. Camic, 712 F.2d 1140, 1145 n. 2 (7th Cir.1983)).

12

With regard to the decedent's right to a jury trial, it was not clear at the time of his arrest that he would be charged with a crime giving him the right to a jury trial. Finally, regarding the claim that the decedent was not informed of the nature of his crime, the Strandbergs alleged no facts to support this claim, either in their complaint or in their brief. The Strandbergs do allege the booking sheet was not completed before the decedent was incarcerated. Nevertheless, they have made no showing that a thirty minute delay in making the formal charges is a constitutionally impermissible delay. The district court properly dismissed the sixth amendment claims.

[*~744]13

Neither in their complaint nor in their briefs do the plaintiffs articulate their first amendment claim on behalf of the decedent. Presumably, the decedent's deprivation of his first amendment right to freedom of speech is based on the alleged police refusal to allow him to make a telephone call. Courts have recognized detainees' and prisoners' first amendment right to telephone access. See Johnson v. Galli, 596 F.Supp. 135, 138 (D.Nev.1984); Hutchings v. Corum, 501 F.Supp. 1276, 1296 (W.D.Mo.1980); Moore v. Janing, 427 F.Supp. 567, 576 (D.Neb.1976). This right is "subject to rational limitations in the face of legitimate security interests of the penal institution." Hutchings, 501 F.Supp. at 1296 (citing Bell v. Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 99 S.Ct. 1861, 60 L.Ed.2d 447 (1979)). If the limitations on access are reasonable, there is no first amendment violation. Galli, 596 F.Supp. at 138.

14

The Strandbergs do not allege the defendants acted unreasonably, nor do they allege any facts from which it could be inferred that the defendants acted unreasonably in declining to allow Edward Strandberg access to the telephone in the first thirty minutes he was detained. See Rodgers, 771 F.2d at 199 (in sixth amendment context; no constitutional deprivation when detainee prevented from making telephone call for ten and one-half hours). While we do not comment as to the reasonableness of delays in allowing access to a telephone longer than those involved in the case before us, the district court properly dismissed the first amendment claim.

15

B. Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection Clause.

[*~745]16

Pursuant to the defendants' motion for summary judgment, the district court dismissed the Strandbergs' claim based on the equal protection clause of the fourteenth amendment. The court found the complaint did not allege "the decedent or any class of people to which the decedent belonged was being treated in a discriminatory manner by the defendants."

17

The Strandbergs argue their complaint stated a cause of action under the equal protection clause because they alleged the decedent had the status of a pretrial detainee. "[T]he demands of equal protection of the laws and of due process ... prevent unjustifiable confinement of detainees under worse conditions than convicted prisoners." Rhem v. Malcolm, 507 F.2d 333, 336 (2d Cir.1974), quoted in Lock v. Jenkins, 641 F.2d 488, 479 (7th Cir.1981). Nowhere in their complaint do the Strandbergs allege any facts from which it could be inferred that the conditions in which prisoners are kept, either in the same institution or in another, are better than those in which pretrial detainees are kept. The court therefore properly dismissed their equal protection claim.

18

C. Ruth and Howard Strandberg as Parties to the Sec. 1983 Claim.

[*~746]19

The court dismissed all of the plaintiffs' federal claims except those arising out of the fifth and fourteenth amendment due process clauses. The Strandbergs interpret the court order as dismissing the Strandbergs as parties. They apparently believe when the court granted summary judgment against them regarding alleged ninth and tenth amendment violations by the defendants, it effectively dismissed the Strandbergs as parties. The Strandbergs are mistaken in believing that they cannot claim a violation of their fourteenth amendment due process rights in the companionship and society of the decedent without asserting such rights in conjunction with the ninth and tenth amendments.[1] The court did not dismiss the Strandbergs as parties. Cf. Kelson v. City of Springfield, 767 F.2d 651, 653 (9th Cir.1985)

20

D. Ninth and Tenth Amendment Claims.

[*748]21

The Strandbergs argue the district court erred in granting summary judgment with regard to their claims based on the penumbras of the ninth and tenth amendments. The ninth amendment states, "the enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." It has been argued that the ninth amendment protects rights not enunciated in the first eight amendments. See Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 479, 85 S.Ct. 1678, 14 L.Ed.2d 510 (1965) (Goldberg, J., concurring); Wise v. Bravo, 666 F.2d 1328, 1332 (10th Cir.1981). Nevertheless, the ninth amendment has never been recognized as independently securing any constitutional right, for purposes of pursuing a civil rights claim. Canton Beach NAACP v. Runnels, 617 F.Supp. 607, 609 n. 3 (S.D.Miss.1985); Bartel v. F.A.A., 617 F.Supp. 190, 194 (D.D.C.1985); Charles v. Brown, 495 F.Supp. 862, 864 (N.D.Ala.1980). The Supreme Court has repeatedly voiced concern that a section 1983 claim be based on a specific constitutional guarantee. Daniels v. Williams, --- U.S. ----, 106 S.Ct. 662, 666, 88 L.Ed.2d 662 (1986); Parratt v. Taylor, 451 U.S. 527, 544, 101 S.Ct. 1908, 1917, 68 L.Ed.2d 420 (1981); Paul v. Davis, 424 U.S. 693, 700-01, 96 S.Ct. 1155, 1160-61, 47 L.Ed.2d 405 (1976). The district court properly dismissed the Strandbergs' claim based on the penumbras of the ninth amendment.

22

The tenth amendment states, "the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively or to the people." The Strandbergs point to no case law which supports their contention that the tenth amendment either alone, or in conjunction with the ninth amendment, provides grounds upon which to bring a civil rights claim. The district court correctly determined the tenth amendment creates no constitutional rights cognizable in a civil rights cause of action.

23

E. The Strandbergs' Permissive Appeal.

24

The district court held the Strandbergs could proceed with their fifth and fourteenth amendment due process claims. The court first stated that "a jailer owes a duty to the prisoner to keep him safe and to protect him from unreasonable and unnecessary risk of harm." He went on to state, however, that a jailer would not be liable to a prisoner for injuries resulting from the prisoner's own intentional conduct. Relying on Montana case law, the district court concluded that "absent some possible special circumstances, a jailer is under no duty to prevent [a prisoner from] taking his own life." See Pretty On Top v. City of Hardin, 182 Mont. 311, 597 P.2d 58, 60-61 (1979). The court noted that it was not bound by Montana law regarding the duty of the defendants in this case, but it believed state case law in this regard was well reasoned and therefore adopted it. It concluded that whether the special circumstances existed which would impose a duty on the jailer in this case was a question of fact for the jury.

25

The Strandbergs challenge the district court's adoption of Montana state law regarding a jailer's duty. They argue it is improper for the district court to adopt a state law rule when deciding a section 1983 claim. While a federal court ordinarily may resort to state law for guidance in a civil rights action, see, e.g., Hirst v. Gertzen, 676 F.2d 1252, 1263 (9th Cir.1982); Owens v. Haas, 601 F.2d 1242, 1250 (2d Cir.1979), Montana law is no longer relevant to a constitutional claim based on negligent conduct of a jailer. The Supreme Court has recently held that "the Due Process Clause is simply not implicated by a negligent act of an official causing unintended loss of or injury to life, liberty, or property." Daniels, 106 S.Ct. at 663. See also Davidson v. Cannon, --- U.S. ----, 106 S.Ct. 668, 670, 88 L.Ed.2d 677 (1986) (due process clause not implicated in the absence of "deliberate or callous indifference to [petitioner's] needs").

CONCLUSION

26

The district court properly dismissed the decedent's civil rights claims based on the first and sixth amendments and the equal protection clause of the fourteenth amendment. The district court did not dismiss Ruth and Howard Strandberg as parties. While the district court acts within its discretion in adopting a state law rule, Montana state law is no longer relevant to a constitutional claim based on negligent conduct of a jailer.

27

AFFIRMED.

1

The district court dismissed that part of the Strandbergs' complaint which alleged a fourteenth amendment right to parent the decedent. The court acknowledged a constitutional right to parent a minor child. Mattis v. Schnarr, 502 F.2d 588, 595 (8th Cir.1974). Nevertheless, it found that because the decedent in this case was twenty-two, the Strandbergs had not been deprived of any constitutional right to parent. The district court did not, however, dismiss the Strandbergs' fourteenth amendment right to companionship and society of the decedent. The Strandbergs remain parties to this cause of action