Berríos-Romero v. Estado Libre Asociado De Puerto Rico
641 F.3d 24
1st Cir.2011Background
- Berríos-Romero, a Puerto Rican prisoner, claimed a federal due process right to community-based rehabilitation rather than prison placement.
- He alleged Puerto Rico law created a liberty interest and a entitlements-based expectation for pre-parole community-based diversion programs.
- The district court dismissed federal claims as having no protected state-created liberty interest and dismissed pendent state claims.
- The PRCA affirmed denial of participation in diversion programs and held no entitlement under Puerto Rico law.
- The district court and this court applied res judicata/issue preclusion principles to bar federal claims.
- This court affirmed dismissal, applying Puerto Rican res judicata/comity principles and concluding equal protection claim inadequately pleaded.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether PRCA decision bars federal claims | Berríos-Romero argues state law creates liberty interest and pre-release rights. | Defendants contend PRCA final judgment precludes federal claims under res judicata/issue preclusion. | Yes; federal claims barred by res judicata/issue preclusion from PRCA decision. |
| Whether Puerto Rico law provides entitlement to community-based programs | There is a state-created liberty interest in rehabilitation in the community. | PRCA properly interpreted law, denying entitlement to such programs. | No; PRCA correctly found no entitlement under Puerto Rico law. |
| Whether the equal protection claim was adequately pleaded | Plaintiff asserts gender-based differential access to programs. | Plaintiff failed to plead facts showing differential treatment or similarly situated class. | Dismissed; equal protection claim inadequately pleaded. |
| Whether the district court correctly used res judicata | There was a fair opportunity to litigate; exceptions apply. | Res judicata applies given identity of parties and causes. | Yes; res judicata applicable under Puerto Rico law. |
| Whether to consider the March 2009 PRCA decision despite record-keeping issues | English translation/record issues should prevent considering the PRCA decision. | Decisions of sister courts may be judicially noticed; record-keeping defects do not prevent consideration. | Yes; court may take judicial notice and apply res judicata. |
Key Cases Cited
- Sandin v. Connor, 515 U.S. 472 (1995) (liberty interests and due process in prison context)
- Bd. of Pardons v. Allen, 482 U.S. 369 (1987) (entitlement concepts and liberty interests)
- Wilkinson v. Austin, 545 U.S. 209 (2005) (atypical and significant hardship standard for liberty interests)
- Puerto Ricans for P.R. Party v. Dalmau, 544 F.3d 58 (1st Cir. 2008) (issue preclusion in PR context)
- Cruz-Berrios v. Gonzalez-Rosario, 630 F.3d 7 (1st Cir. 2010) (identity requirements for PR res judicata)
- Dalmau, 544 F.3d 69 (1st Cir. 2008) (PRCA decision as basis for res judicata)
- Barrington Cove Ltd. P'ship v. R.I. Hous. & Mtg. Fin. Corp., 246 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2001) (pleading specificity in equal protection claims)
- Baez-Cruz v. Municipality of Comerio, 140 F.3d 24 (1st Cir. 1998) (litigating procedural opportunities in PR context)
- Lamar v. Micou, 114 U.S. 218 (1885) (judicial notice and state law in federal courts)
- Rodi v. New Eng. Sch. of Law, 389 F.3d 5 (1st Cir. 2007) (judicial notice and related principles)
- Getty Petroleum Mktg. v. Capital Terminal Co., 391 F.3d 312 (1st Cir. 2004) (law of sister courts and notice)