Snyder v. Nolen.

• Position: Violation of inmate's right of access to court - Brief Article

U.S. Appeals Court

CIVIL SUIT

ACCESS TO COURT

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Snyder v. Nolen, 380 F.3d 279 (7th Cir. 2004). A state prison inmate who had attempted to file a pro se marriage dissolution action and temporary restraining order in state court, brought a [section] 1983 action against a state-court clerk in his individual capacity, alleging that the clerk had violated the inmate's right of access to court by refusing to file his pleadings. The district court granted the clerk's motion to dismiss, and the inmate appealed. The appeals court affirmed, finding that although a potential violation of the inmate's right of access to the courts occurred, the inmate failed to state a claim. The appeals court noted that a state prison inmate's constitutional right of access to the courts is not limited to actions challenging the inmate's...