Smith v. City of Madera

I. INTRODUCTION

16 On November 15, 2023, Defendants City of Madera (the “City”) and Dina Santos (“Santos”) (collectively, “Defendants”) filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(c) on the ground that Plaintiff Mahara K. Smith (“Plaintiff”) has failed to plead adequately her civil rights claims and request for punitive damages. (Doc. 12.) Plaintiff did not file a response to the motion. (See Docket.) The Court found the matter suitable for decision without oral argument pursuant to Local Rule 230(g) on December 7, 2023, and vacated the hearing. (Doc. 15.) On May 14, 2025, the motion was referred to the undersigned for findings and recommendation pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b). (Doc. 20.) For the reasons set forth below, the undersigned recommends that Defendants’ motion for judgment on the pleadings be granted, with leave to amend. 28 1 Plaintiff, proceeding pro se, contends that Santos, a “duly sworn peace officer employed by” the City, “illegally arrested” and “unlawfully detain[ed]” her on August 8, 2020, “without just and legal…