Opinion
CIVIL ACTION NO. 20-11866-WGY
05-10-2022
Mary SILVA, Plaintiff, v. CITY OF NEW BEDFORD, Paul Fonseca, Brock Morrisette, and John Does 1-9, Defendant.
Mary Silva, New Bedford, MA, Pro Se. John J. Cloherty, III, Pierce, Davis & Perritano, LLP, Boston, MA, for Defendants Paul Fonseca, City of New Bedford.
Mary Silva, New Bedford, MA, Pro Se.
John J. Cloherty, III, Pierce, Davis & Perritano, LLP, Boston, MA, for Defendants Paul Fonseca, City of New Bedford.
MEMORANDUM OF DECISION
This is how my predecessor, Peleg Sprague (D. Mass. 1841-1865), would sign official documents. Now that I'm a Senior District Judge I adopt this format in honor of all the judicial colleagues, state and federal, with whom I have had the privilege to serve over the past 44 years.
I. INTRODUCTION
Beginning in March 2020, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued a series of administrative orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which tolled all civil statutes of limitations from March 17, 2020, until June 30, 2020. Mary Silva ("Silva") is a pro se civil rights plaintiff who seeks the benefit of these tolling orders.
See Third Updated Order Regarding Court Operations Under the Exigent Circumstances Created by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic at 5, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (June 24, 2020), https://www.mass.gov/doc/sjc-third-updated-order-regarding-court-operations-under-the-exigent-circumstances-created-by/download.
Silva filed suit after police allegedly (1) set fire to her home by deploying flash grenades during a search and (2) later initiated an unlawful traffic stop. Verified Compl. ("Compl.") ¶¶ 17-32, ECF No. 1. She brought seven counts comprising constitutional violations under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (" section 1983") and intentional torts. Id. ¶¶ 33-52. New Bedford Police Detective Paul Fonseca ("Fonseca") and the City of New Bedford ("New Bedford") (collectively, the "Defendants") moved to dismiss all counts on the grounds that the federal claims are untimely and the state claims without merit. Defs.’ City New Bedford & Paul Fonseca Mot. Dismiss ("Mot. Dismiss"), ECF No. 17. As to the federal claims, the dispute centers on an issue of first impression: whether the Supreme Judicial Court's tolling orders apply to section 1983 actions. See Defs.’ City New Bedford & Paul Fonseca Mem. Law Support Mot Dismiss ("Defs.’ Mem.") 6-9, ECF No. 18; Pl.’s Mem. Law Support Opp'n Defs.’ Mot. Dismiss ("Pl.’s Mem.") 4-8, ECF No. 30. After hearing arguments on December 8, 2021, the Court took the matter under advisement. Electronic Clerk's Notes, ECF No. 36. On December 22, 2021, the Court entered an order allowing in part and denying in part the motion to dismiss. Order 1, ECF No. 37. In so ruling, the Court upheld Silva's federal claims as timely, allowing four counts -- all comprising section 1983 claims -- to survive. This Memorandum of Decision explains the Court's reasoning as to timeliness and now holds that the Supreme Judicial Court's tolling orders apply to section 1983 actions.
A. Facts and Procedural History
On October 10, 2017 , while Silva was at the New Bedford Police Station, Fonseca, Massachusetts State Trooper Brock Morrisette ("Morrisette"), and SWAT team members executed a warrant to search her home for evidence on her boyfriend -- a homicide suspect. Compl. ¶¶ 17, 20-21. Upon entry they deployed flash grenades, which started a fire that spread throughout the home, destroying Silva's property and displacing Silva and her son. Id. ¶¶ 22-23, 26. That same evening , after leaving the station, Silva was stopped by five New Bedford police officers, who drew their guns and ordered her to exit her car. Id. ¶¶ 28, 29. The officers visually searched the car, then left without explanation for the stop. Id. ¶ 30.
On October 15, 2020 , Silva filed a complaint against: Fonseca, id. ¶ 6; Morrisette, id. ¶ 10; Michael Gomes, the former Chief of the New Bedford Police Department, id. ¶ 5; Daniel Bennet, the former Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, id. ¶ 2; the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, id. ¶¶ 3-4; the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, id. ¶ 3; and the New Bedford Police Department, id. ¶ 4. Silva also sued John Does 1-9, individuals of unknown identities comprised of SWAT team members and New Bedford police officers. Id. ¶¶ 7-9, 11-16.
The parties dispute whether the date of filing corresponds to the date Silva placed her complaint in the mail or the date the clerk's office received it. Pl.’s Mem. 1, 8; Reply Mem. Response Pl.’s Opp'n Mot. Dismiss 1-2, ECF No. 35. As discussed, infra II.B., the law is clear that a complaint is filed upon receipt, see McIntosh v. Antonino, 71 F.3d 29, 36 (1st Cir. 1995) (citing Fed. R. Civ. P. 3 ).
The summons as to Morrisette was returned unexecuted on September 9, 2021. Process Receipt Return 1, ECF No. 16.
Silva brought seven counts. Compl. ¶¶ 33-52. Counts one through five arise from the search of her home and counts six and seven from the subsequent traffic stop. Id.
On March 9, 2021, another session of this Court dismissed: the Eighth Amendment claims in counts one and two, Mem. & Order ("Judge Sorokin's Order") 7, 9, ECF No. 5; the Fifth Amendment claim in count six, id. 7, 9; the claims against Michael Gomes and Daniel Bennet in count five, id. 5, 8; and the claims against the New Bedford Police Department, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security in count five, id. 6, 8-9. The Court then added New Bedford to the docket as "the sole defendant" in count five. See id. at 6-7, 8.
Silva sued Michael Gomes in his official capacity. Compl. ¶ 5. The May 9 order noted that Silva "may amend the complaint pursuant to Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to include" a claim against Gomes in his individual capacity, Judge Sorokin's Order 7, but Silva has not done so.
The section 1983 claims which remained after the May 9 order alleged: violations of the Fourth Amendment against Fonseca, Morrisette, and John Does 1-5 (counts one and two), Compl. ¶¶ 33-39; a conspiracy to deprive civil rights in violation of the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments against Fonseca, Morrisette, and John Does 1-5 (count four), id. ¶¶ 43-44; municipal liability against New Bedford (count five), id. ¶¶ 45-47; and violations of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments against John Does 6-9 (count six), id. ¶¶ 48-49. The remaining tort claims alleged: trespass to chattel and conversion against Fonseca, Morrisette, and John Does 1-5 (count three), id. ¶¶ 40-42; and intentional infliction of emotional distress against John Does 6-9 (count seven), id. ¶¶ 50-52.
On March 11, 2021, the case was reassigned to this session of the Court. Electronic Not. Case Reassignment, ECF No. 10. On September 29, 2021, Fonseca and New Bedford moved to dismiss all counts. Mot. Dismiss. The parties have fully briefed this motion. See Defs.’ Mem; Pl.’s Mem.; Reply Mem. Response Pl.’s Opp'n Mot. Dismiss ("Defs.’ Reply") 1-2, ECF No. 35; Pl.’s Opp'n Def.’s Mot. Dismiss ("Pl.’s Opp'n") 8, ECF No. 29. Focusing on the federal claims, Fonseca and New Bedford argued Silva's section 1983 action was (1) filed after the applicable limitations period expired and (2) not subject to the Supreme Judicial Court's tolling orders. Defs.’ Mem. 3-9.
On December 22, 2021, the Court entered an order allowing in part and denying in part the motion to dismiss. Order 1. First, the Court dismissed with prejudice: "count one in its entirety; count three in its entirety; count four insofar as it alleges a conspiracy to deny the right of access to courts pursuant to the First Amendment; and count seven in its entirety." Order 2 (citations omitted). Second, the Court dismissed without prejudice: "count four insofar as it alleges a conspiracy to deny equal protection of the law pursuant to the Fourteenth Amendment; and count six insofar as it alleges the denial of equal protection of the law pursuant to the Fourteenth Amendment." Id. 2 (citations omitted). Third, the Court denied the motion to dismiss as to: "count two in its entirety; count four insofar as it alleges a conspiracy to deny freedom from excessive force pursuant to the Fourth Amendment; count five in its entirety; and count six insofar as it alleges an unlawful seizure and the use of excessive force pursuant to the Fourth Amendment." Id. 2-3 (citations omitted).
This Memorandum of Decision explains why the four surviving counts (counts two, four, five, and six), all arising under section 1983, are timely.
II. ANALYSIS
This Memorandum of Decision first considers whether the complaint was timely filed on its face. Concluding it was not, it next examines whether the statute of limitations for the federal claims was tolled. This question hinges on whether the tolling orders issued by the Supreme Judicial Court apply to section 1983 actions. Section 1988 of Title 42 of the U.S. Code instructs federal courts to bridge the interstices in section 1983 using state law so long as it is not inconsistent with federal law. See Bd. of Regents v. Tomanio, 446 U.S. 478, 486, 100 S.Ct. 1790, 64 L.Ed.2d 440 (1980).
Silva argues the tolling orders apply to her section 1983 claims by way of section 1988. Pl.’s Mem. 4-8. The Defendants counter that the section 1988 borrowing framework does not encompass tolling orders issued by a state's highest court. Defs.’ Mem. 6-9.
Because (1) Supreme Court and First Circuit precedent broadly authorize federal courts to borrow state tolling rules, and (2) the tolling orders are not inconsistent with the policies underlying section 1983, the Supreme Judicial Court's tolling orders apply to section 1983 actions, rendering Silva's claims timely filed.
A. Standard of Review
To withstand a motion to dismiss, a complaint must "state a claim upon which relief can be granted ...." Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6). Courts "draw every reasonable inference" in favor of the plaintiff. Berezin v. Regency Sav. Bank, 234 F.3d 68, 70 (1st Cir. 2000). "A document filed pro se is to be liberally construed and a pro se complaint, however inartfully pleaded, must be held to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers." Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94, 127 S.Ct. 2197, 167 L.Ed.2d 1081 (2007) (quoting Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 106, 97 S.Ct. 285, 50 L.Ed.2d 251 (1976) ) (internal quotation marks omitted); see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(e) ("Pleadings must be construed so as to do justice.").
"Affirmative defenses, such as the statute of limitations, may be raised in a motion to dismiss under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6), provided that ‘the facts establishing the defense are clear on the face of the plaintiff's pleadings.’ " Trans-Spec Truck Serv. v. Caterpillar Inc., 524 F.3d 315, 320 (1st Cir. 2008) (quoting Blackstone Realty LLC v. FDIC, 244 F.3d 193, 197 (1st Cir. 2001) ) (brackets omitted). In such cases, "[w]here the dates included in the complaint show that the limitations period has been exceeded and the complaint fails to ‘sketch a factual predicate’ that would warrant the application of either a different statute of limitations period or equitable estoppel, dismissal is appropriate." Id. (quoting LaChapelle v. Berkshire Life Ins. Co., 142 F.3d 507, 509-10 (1st Cir. 1998) ). In other words, courts ought dismiss "when the pleader's allegations leave no doubt that an asserted claim is time-barred." LaChapelle, 142 F.3d at 509.
B. Timeliness of the Complaint on its Face
The Defendants argue Silva's claims are "barred by the applicable three-year statute of limitations," as the complaint was filed on October 15, 2020, but "on its face" alleges the Defendants’ conduct took place on October 10, 2017. Defs.’ Mem 3-4. Silva counters that she timely filed her complaint by placing it in the mail on September 28, 2017. Pl.’s Mem. 1, 8. The Defendants are correct; absent tolling, Silva's section 1983 claims would be time-barred.
Section 1983 does not contain an internal statute of limitations, so courts must borrow from "the law of the State in which the cause of action arose." Wallace v. Kato, 549 U.S. 384, 387, 127 S.Ct. 1091, 166 L.Ed.2d 973 (2007) ; see also 42 U.S.C. § 1988 (instructing that, where Title 42 is deficient, the common law, statutes, and constitution of the state govern unless inconsistent with federal law). The relevant statute of limitations is that which governs personal injury actions. Wilson v. Garcia, 471 U.S. 261, 276-80, 105 S.Ct. 1938, 85 L.Ed.2d 254 (1985) ; Jardín De Las Catalinas Ltd. P'ship v. Joyner, 766 F.3d 127, 132-33 (1st Cir. 2014) ; see also Owens v. Okure, 488 U.S. 235, 236, 109 S.Ct. 573, 102 L.Ed.2d 594 (1989). Thus, in Massachusetts, a three-year limitations period applies to section 1983 actions. See Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A (providing a three-year limitations period for personal injury actions); Nieves v. McSweeney, 241 F.3d 46, 51 (1st Cir. 2001) (applying a three-year statute of limitations to the plaintiff's section 1983 claims).
While federal law governs the accrual of a section 1983 action, see Wallace, 549 U.S. at 388, 127 S.Ct. 1091, Massachusetts procedural rules govern the "application" -- that is, the computation -- of the limitations period, see Wilson, 471 U.S. at 269, 105 S.Ct. 1938 ("[T]he length of the limitations period [for section 1983 claims], and closely related questions of tolling and application , are to be governed by state law." (emphasis added)); Carreras-Rosa v. Alves-Cruz, 127 F.3d 172, 174 (1st Cir. 1997) ("[W]hen the federal court borrows the state statute of limitations, so too the date on which the limitations period starts to run should be determined by the state law defining the ‘application’ of the limitations period."). Under federal law, a section 1983 claim accrues "when all of the acts comprising the specific constitutional violation have been completed," and the plaintiff "knows, or should know" of the injury and its causal connection to the defendant. Ouellette v. Beaupre, 977 F.3d 127, 135-36 (1st Cir. 2020). Pursuant to Rule 6 of the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure, the clock starts running "the day following the day of [accrual], with the last day for filing suit being the anniversary date of the event...." Poy v. Boutselis, 352 F.3d 479, 483 (1st Cir. 2003) (applying Mass. R. Civ. P. 6(a) to compute the limitations period for a section 1983 action). Here, Silva alleges both the search and the traffic stop occurred on October 10, 2017. Compl. ¶¶ 23, 28. Accordingly, the limitations period began to run on October 11, 2017, and the section 1983 claims expired on October 10, 2020.
As to the search, Silva alleges Morrisette and Fonseca did not immediately "inform[ ] her of the cause of the fire" but does not state when she ascertained its cause and does not expressly argue the accrual period was delayed. See Compl. ¶ 27; see generally Pl.’s Mem. Given that the Supreme Judicial Court's tolling orders apply to section 1983 actions, however, the Court need not decide whether accrual was delayed and assumes it was not. See supra section II.C.
Federal procedural rules govern when Silva commenced this action. See West v. Conrail, 481 U.S. 35, 39, 107 S.Ct. 1538, 95 L.Ed.2d 32 (1987) (holding that an action under federal law which "borrow[s] a limitations period from another statute," commences "in compliance" with Rule 3 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure); see also McIntosh v. Antonino, 71 F.3d 29, 36 (1st Cir. 1995) (holding that Rule 3 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure "adequately covers" the commencement of an action in federal court and thus applies to section 1983 claims). Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a "civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court," Fed. R. Civ. P. 3, and a complaint "not filed electronically is filed by delivering it" either "to the clerk" or "to a judge," Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(d)(2) (emphasis added). Silva alleges she mailed the complaint to the clerk's office on September 28, 2020, Pl.’s Opp'n 8, but concedes it was not "received or docketed" -- i.e., delivered -- until October 15, 2020, see Pl.’s Mem. 1. Accordingly, Silva commenced the action on October 15, 2020 -- five days after her claims expired.
Thus, unless the limitations period was tolled, Silva's section 1983 claims are untimely.
C. Tolling the Statute of Limitations
Silva asserts that the Supreme Judicial Court's tolling orders apply to her claims arising under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Pl.’s Mem. 4-8. The Defendants counter that federal law does not authorize federal courts to borrow "temporary state court tolling orders" for section 1983 actions. Defs.’ Mem. 7.
The Supreme Judicial Court's orders tolled "each and every civil statute of limitations" from March 17, 2020, until June 30, 2020. Shaw's Supermarkets, Inc. v. Melendez, 488 Mass. 338, 342, 173 N.E.3d 356 (2021). Should they apply to Silva's claims, her claims would have expired January 24, 2021, rather than October 10, 2020, rendering them timely.
The Supreme Judicial Court tolling orders state in pertinent part:
All civil statutes of limitations were tolled by Prior Supreme Judicial Court Orders from March 17, 2020, through June 30, 2020, and will not be tolled any further unless there is a new surge in COVID-19 cases in the Commonwealth and the SJC determines that a new or extended period of tolling is needed .... The new date for the expiration of a statute of limitation is calculated as follows: determine how many days remained as of March 17, 2020, until the statute of limitation would have expired, and that same number of days will remain as of July 1, 2020 in civil cases ..... For example, if fourteen (14) days remained as of March 17 before the statute of limitation would have expired in a civil case, then fourteen (14) days will continue to remain as of July 1, before the statute of limitation expires (i.e., July 15) ....
Third Updated Order, supra.
1. The 42 U.S.C. § 1988 Borrowing Framework
Section 1983 does not contain internal tolling rules. Section 1988 " ‘quite clearly instructs federal courts to refer to state statutes’ when federal law provides no rule of decision for actions brought under [ section] 1983." Tomanio, 446 U.S. at 484, 100 S.Ct. 1790 (quoting Robertson v. Wegmann, 436 U.S. 584, 593, 98 S.Ct. 1991, 56 L.Ed.2d 554 (1978) ) (brackets omitted). Section 1988 provides:
[I]n all cases where [provisions of this Title] are not adapted to the object, or are deficient in the provisions necessary to furnish suitable remedies and punish offenses against law, the common law, as modified and changed by the constitution and statutes of the State wherein the court having jurisdiction of such civil or criminal cause is held, so far as the same is not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States , shall be extended to and govern the said courts in the trial and disposition of the cause ....
42 U.S.C. § 1988 (emphasis added).
In view of this borrowing scheme, the Supreme Court in Board of Regents v. Tomanio held that not only state statutes of limitations but also the "coordinate tolling rules " apply to section 1983 actions as long as such rules are not " ‘inconsistent’ with federal law." 446 U.S. at 486, 100 S.Ct. 1790 (emphasis added) (quoting 42 U.S.C. § 1988 ). Considering the federal law on tolling, the Court determined that, "in general, state policies of repose cannot be said to be disfavored in federal law." Id. at 488, 100 S.Ct. 1790. The Court then looked to the specific "policies underlying [ section] 1983" -- namely, "recovering compensation and fostering deterrence" -- as well as the general federal interest in promoting uniformity, and held that New York's rule precluding tolling was not inconsistent therewith. Id. at 488-92, 100 S.Ct. 1790.
Given Tomanio, the First Circuit has held that in a section 1983 action "tolling is governed by state law ." Torres v. Superintendent of Police, 893 F.2d 404, 407 (1st Cir. 1990) (emphasis added); see also Benitez-Pons v. Puerto Rico, 136 F.3d 54, 59 (1st Cir. 1998) (stating that the "tolling of the statute of limitations" for a section 1983 claim is "governed by state law"). Regardless how this rule reads, however, it is not categorical. For example, there is a circuit split on whether the equitable tolling of section 1983 claims is governed by state or federal law, see Pearl v. City of Long Beach, 296 F.3d 76, 83 (2nd Cir. 2002) (identifying a "split of authority" and listing conflicting rules in several circuits), and the First Circuit has left open this question, see, e.g., Vistamar, Inc. v. Fagundo-Fagundo, 430 F.3d 66, 71-72 (1st Cir. 2005) (declining to decide the issue since the plaintiff failed to establish equitable tolling under either state or federal law); Benitez-Pons, 136 F.3d at 61 (same); Torres Ramirez v. Bermudez Garcia, 898 F.2d 224, 229 (1st Cir. 1990) (same).
2. Caselaw Outside the First Circuit
Like equitable tolling, the issue here is an open question in this Circuit. Relevant caselaw outside the Circuit is confined to just a few jurisdictions but tends toward applying pandemic-related state tolling orders to section 1983 claims.
Note that another session of this Court indicated in dicta that the tolling orders apply to section 1983. See Veal v. Comm'r of Bos. Ctrs. for Youth & Families, No. 21-cv-10265-ADB, 2022 WL 715712, at *5 (D. Mass. Mar. 10, 2022) (Burroughs, J.). There, the plaintiff failed to timely file regardless whether the tolling orders applied. Id. The Court stated:
Taking into account the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's ... June 24, 2020 Order , which tolled statutes of limitations from March 17, 2020 until June 30, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the time for filing the instant action expired, at the latest, on July 10, 2020.
Id. (emphasis added).
Additionally, another session of the Court held that the Supreme Judicial Court's tolling orders do not toll statutes of limitations in Title VII actions. See Harrington v. Lesley Univ., 554 F.Supp.3d 211, 239-40 (D. Mass. 2021) (Woodlock, J.). As discussed, however, Title VII decisions are not a useful benchmark. See infra section II.C.2.
Two cases are on point: two sessions of the District Court of Kansas have held that a series of administrative orders issued by the Kansas Supreme Court which tolled statutes of limitations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic apply to section 1983 actions. See Tran v. Cty. of Douglas, No. 21-cv-2310-KHV, 2021 WL 5505455, at *5-6 (D. Kan. Nov. 24, 2021) ; Fullen v. City of Salina, No. 21-cv-4010-JAR-TJJ, 2021 WL 4476780, at *5-6 (D. Kan. Sept. 30, 2021).
Additionally, most federal courts deciding the issue have held that pandemic-related state executive orders which toll civil statutes of limitations apply to section 1983 claims. See Rich v. New York, No. 21- cv-3835- AT, 2022 WL 992885, at *8 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 31, 2022) ; Paul v. Capra, No. 20-cv-5154-NSR, 2022 WL 992845, at *6 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 31, 2022) ; Lewis v. Westchester Cty., No. 20-cv-9017-VB, 2021 WL 3932626, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 2, 2021) ; Barnes v. Uzu, No. 20-cv-5885-KMK, 2022 WL 784036, at *9–11 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 15, 2022) ; Bowers v. City of Salamanca, No. 20-cv-1206-LJV, 2021 WL 2917672, at *5-6 (W.D.N.Y. July 12, 2021) ; Bonilla v. City of New York, No. 20-cv-1704, 2020 WL 6686531, at *2- 3 (E.D.N.Y. Oct. 3, 2020) ; Connelly v. Komm, No. 20-cv-1060-JCH, 2021 WL 5359738, at *3-5 (D. Conn. Nov. 16, 2021) ; Mackey v. Rising, No. 20- cv- 13408, 2021 WL 4034226, *2 (E.D. Mich. 2021) ; Bowles v. Sabree, No. 20-cv-12838, 2022 WL 141666, at *9 (E.D. Mich. Jan. 14, 2022). But see Johnson v. Fargione, No. 20-cv-764-LEK-CFH, 2021 WL 1406683, at *3 (N.D.N.Y. Feb. 17, 2021) (holding that the "plaintiff fail[ed] to demonstrate that a New York State executive order applied to actions commenced in Federal court alleging violations of the U.S. Constitution").
The Defendants cite Willard v. Industrial Air, Inc., No. 20-cv-823, 2021 WL 309116, at *3 (M.D.N.C. Jan. 29, 2021), as "reject[ing] the argument that state court tolling orders for the pandemic apply to federal claims brought in federal court." Defs.’ Mem. 7. This high level of generality obscures a crucial distinction between Willard and the present case: rather than a section 1983 claim, Willard involved a Title VII claim for which federal law expressly prescribes a ninety-day limitations period, see 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1). See Willard, 2021 WL 309116, at *3. Whether a federal statute of limitations is supplanted by state tolling orders is a far cry from whether a federal statute that lacks a statute of limitations may borrow state tolling orders to bridge the gap .
3. Whether the Borrowing Framework Encompasses the Supreme Judicial Court's Tolling Orders
Given the dearth of direct authority, the Court now examines the question in this case. The issue is twofold: (1) whether the section 1988 borrowing framework encompasses orders of this kind, and, if so, (2) whether the orders are inconsistent with federal law.
a. Whether the Borrowing Framework Encompasses Orders of this Kind
First, the borrowing framework devised by 42 U.S.C § 1988 and pertinent caselaw encompasses the Supreme Judicial Court's tolling orders. Given (1) the instructive language of section 1988, (2) the Supreme Court's unambiguous directive for federal courts to adopt "the coordinate tolling rules" of the forum state, Tomanio, 446 U.S. at 484-85, 100 S.Ct. 1790, and (3) the First Circuit's embrace of Tomanio and insistence that state law governs tolling, see, e.g., Torres, 893 F.2d at 407, the weight of authority indicates the tolling orders fall within the category of state law which federal courts are authorized to borrow in section 1983 actions. See supra section II.C.1.-2.
The Defendants provide two reasons this is not so: first, they argue applying the Supreme Judicial Court's tolling orders would "circumvent the independence of the federal court by importing state court procedural orders," Defs.’ Mem. 9; second, they argue the Supreme Judicial Court's tolling orders were "not a legislative act" and thus may not apply in federal court, Defs.’ Mem. 8. Both contentions fall short.
i. Importing State Procedural Rules
The Defendants rely on two cases, West v. Conrail, 481 U.S. 35, 107 S.Ct. 1538, 95 L.Ed.2d 32 (1987), and McIntosh v. Antonino, 71 F.3d 29 (1st Cir. 1995), for the notion that applying the tolling orders would wrongfully "import[ ] state court procedural orders" into federal court. Defs.’ Mem. 6-7, 9. Such reliance is misplaced.
The Supreme Court in West held that a cause of action based on federal law which borrows a statute of limitations from a different federal statute nevertheless commences pursuant to Rule 3 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, not the provisions for service contained in the borrowed statute. 481 U.S. at 39, 107 S.Ct. 1538. In so holding, the Supreme Court stated: "[W]hen it is necessary for us to borrow a statute of limitations for a federal cause of action, we borrow no more than necessary ." Id. (emphasis added). Recognizing West’s teaching, the First Circuit in McIntosh carried it one step further and held that Rule 3 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure also commences a federal cause of action which borrows a statute of limitations from state law. 71 F.3d at 35-36. The First Circuit maintained that "when bridging interstices in federal law, federal courts should borrow ‘only what is necessary to close the gap left by Congress .’ " Id. at 36 (quoting West, 481 U.S. at 40 n.6, 107 S.Ct. 1538 ) (emphasis added).
First, that federal courts ought borrow "only what is necessary to close the gap" does not "exclude[ ] consideration of temporary state court tolling orders." Defs.’ Mem. 7 (quoting West, 481 U.S. at 40 n.6, 107 S.Ct. 1538 ). To the contrary, in relying on McIntosh and West, the Defendants conflate rules of filing with tolling rules and, in so doing, discount binding precedent. The Supreme Court in Wilson v. Garcia held that in section 1983 suits "the length of the limitations period , and closely related questions of tolling and application , are to be governed by state law." 471 U.S. at 269, 105 S.Ct. 1938 (emphasis added). In Tomanio, the Supreme Court reiterated that for section 1983 claims, "a state statute of limitations and the coordinate tolling rules are more than a technical obstacle to be circumvented if possible. In most cases, they are binding rules of law." 446 U.S. at 484, 100 S.Ct. 1790 (emphasis added). Holding that state tolling rules exceed "what is necessary to fill the gap," West, 481 U.S. at 40 n.6, 107 S.Ct. 1538, would require disregarding Wilson and Tomanio.
Indeed, in Poy v. Boutselis, the First Circuit refused to hold that a facet of a limitations policy Wilson expressly authorized federal courts to borrow was "more than necessary." 352 F.3d at 483-84. There, the defendant argued that West and McIntosh forbade the court from borrowing Rule 6(a) of the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure, which provides that a statute of limitations begins to run the day after a claim accrues. 352 F.3d at 483-84. The First Circuit rejected the argument that application rules are not necessary to borrow because it "contradicts the Supreme Court's decision in Wilson" and in McIntosh, which provide "explicit authorization to look to state law regarding questions of application." See id. at 484 & n.3. Here, the Defendants embark on the same fruitless path as to tolling.
Second, the Defendants’ characterization of the tolling orders as "state procedural rules" is of no consequence. Defs.’ Mem. 9. The First Circuit explicitly endorsed the borrowing of state procedural rules for section 1983 claims in Boutselis. There, the defendant cited McIntosh and argued the requirement that federal courts borrow state application rules "encompasses only those instances in which a state statute, rather than a rule of procedure , sets forth the application rule." Boutselis, 352 F.3d at 484 & n.3. The First Circuit rejected this "pained distinction," as McIntosh "deals with the inapposite question of adopting state rules of filing." See id.
Third, both West and McIntosh involved conflicts of law: West, a conflict between Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 3 and the Labor Management Relations Act, 481 U.S. at 38-39, 107 S.Ct. 1538 ; and McIntosh, a conflict between Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 3 and Massachusetts Rule of Civil Procedure 3, 71 F.3d at 36-37. Since a federal law on point existed, the First Circuit in McIntosh could identify "no lacuna that must be filled by reference to state law." 71 F.3d at 36. Here, federal law does not present a conflicting rule but rather is deficient, resorting to state law to close its gaps with respect to statutes of limitations.
ii. Judge-Made Versus Statutory Law
The Defendants next argue that "the tolling order by the Supreme Judicial Court was not a legislative act, but rather merely a court order of superintendence of its lower courts," and as such does not apply to claims in federal court. Defs.’ Mem. 8. This argument is unavailing.
The borrowing scheme for section 1983 is not limited to legislative acts; rather, section 1988 provides for borrowing judge-made law as well. See 42 U.S.C. § 1988(a) (instructing federal courts to borrow "the common law , as modified and changed by the constitution and statutes of the State" (emphasis added)). The Defendants offer no authority to support their claim that orders issued by a state's highest court are so distinct from state common law and statutory law that they fall outside the reach of section 1988. Although the pertinent cases involved state statutes, the Supreme Court by the language in its holdings has not distinguished between sources of state law. See Tomanio, 446 U.S. at 485, 100 S.Ct. 1790 ("[ Section] 1988 authorizes federal courts to disregard an otherwise applicable state rule of law only if the state law is ‘inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States.’ " (emphasis added)); Wilson, 471 U.S. at 269, 105 S.Ct. 1938 (stating that limitations periods, tolling, and application "are to be governed by state law " (emphasis added)); id. (explaining that "state law shall only apply ‘so far as the same is not inconsistent with’ federal law" (quoting 42 U.S.C. § 1988 ) (emphasis added)). Sensibly so, as this distinction would frustrate the purpose of applying state tolling rules in section 1983 actions: to "rely[ ] on the State's wisdom in setting a limit, and exceptions thereto , on the prosecution of a closely analogous claim." See Tomanio, 446 U.S. at 485-86, 100 S.Ct. 1790 (emphasis added).
The First Circuit has heeded this message, borrowing not only from state statutes but also state court rulings. See, e.g., Carreras-Rosa, 127 F.3d at 175 (using a Puerto Rico Supreme Court decision to determine the timeliness of a section 1983 claim). Moreover, in Boutselis, the First Circuit indicated a reluctance to split hairs over sources of state law -- there, between state statutes and state rules of procedure. 352 F.3d at 484 & n.3.
Thus, that the tolling orders were not a "legislative act," Defs.’ Mem. 8, is not dispositive.
b. Whether the Tolling Orders Are Inconsistent with Federal Law
Having determined that section 1988 encompasses the Supreme Judicial Court's tolling orders, the second issue is whether they are "inconsistent" with federal law. See 42 U.S.C. § 1988. Silva argues they are not, Pl.’s Mem. 6-7, but the Defendants do not reach this issue, Defs.’ Mem. 8. The tolling orders are not inconsistent with federal law, as their application undermines neither the policies behind section 1983 nor the federal interest in uniformity.
As an initial matter, that the Supreme Judicial Court's tolling orders would allow the present action while federal law (which does not provide for automatic tolling during the COVID-19 pandemic) would preclude the action as untimely does not render the orders "inconsistent" with federal law. The "success of the [ section] 1983 action [is not] the only benchmark...." Robertson v. Wegmann, 436 U.S. 584, 593, 98 S.Ct. 1991, 56 L.Ed.2d 554 (1978). Indeed, in Robertson v. Wegmann, the Supreme court held that "a state statute cannot be considered ‘inconsistent’ with federal law merely because the statute causes the plaintiff to lose the litigation." Id. The same ought be true for the inverse but with even greater force: state law is not "inconsistent" with federal law simply for allowing the plaintiff a chance to win her federal claim.
Moreover, measuring the tolling orders against the chief goals of section 1983 -- compensation and deterrence, see Robertson, 436 U.S. at 590-91, 98 S.Ct. 1991 ; Tomanio, 446 U.S. at 488-92, 100 S.Ct. 1790 -- reveals no apparent inconsistency. First, a state tolling rule which "enhances" a plaintiff's "ability to bring suit and recover damages for injuries" facilitates rather than frustrates the underlying policy of compensation. See Hardin v. Straub, 490 U.S. 536, 543, 109 S.Ct. 1998, 104 L.Ed.2d 582 (1989) (holding that "[a] State's decision to toll the statute of limitations during the inmate's disability does not frustrate [ section] 1983 ’s compensation goal" since it promotes recovery). Second, the tolling orders do not frustrate the goal of deterring constitutional torts. Where an official knowingly engages in unconstitutional conduct, expanding the period of liability merely heightens the chance the official will be called to account for it. Id. Even where the official lacks knowledge and the violation is ongoing, "the plaintiff will have an interest in enjoining" the misconduct, and the tolling period per the orders is only three and a half months, so "the time during which the official will unknowingly violate the Constitution" will in any case be brief. See id.
Additionally, although "[u]niformity has [ ] been cited as a federal policy which sometimes necessitates the displacement of an otherwise applicable state rule of law," it "has not been held to warrant the displacement of state statutes of limitations for civil rights actions." Tomanio, 446 U.S. at 489, 100 S.Ct. 1790 (citing Johnson v. Ry. Express Agency, Inc., 421 U.S. 454, 465, 95 S.Ct. 1716, 44 L.Ed.2d 295 (1975) ). Notably, in holding that a Louisiana survivorship law applied to section 1983 actions pursuant to section 1988, the Supreme Court in Robertson stated the following:
[W]hatever the value of nationwide uniformity in areas of civil rights enforcement where Congress has not spoken, in the areas to which [ section] 1988 is applicable Congress has provided direction , indicating that state law will often provide the content of the federal remedial rule. This statutory reliance on state law obviously means that there will not be nationwide uniformity on these issues .
436 U.S. at 593 n.11, 98 S.Ct. 1991 (emphasis added).
Thus, the Supreme Judicial Court's tolling orders are not "inconsistent with federal law," Tomanio, 446 U.S. at 486, 100 S.Ct. 1790.
III. CONCLUSION
For the aforementioned reasons, the Court holds that the Supreme Judicial Court's tolling orders apply to section 1983 actions. Accordingly, in allowing in part and denying in part the Defendants’ motion to dismiss, ECF No. 17, the Court ruled that Silva's federal claims were timely. See Order 1-3.