1Newark, NJ – A federal judge has dismissed a civil rights complaint brought by a New Jersey inmate who alleged that corrections officers prevented him from pursuing his “legal litigation” in state court.

The lawsuit, filed by Michael Upshar under 42 U.S.C. §1983, targeted the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office corrections division. Upshar, representing himself and granted in forma pauperis status, claimed an officer blocked him from bringing legal matters before a judge. He stated that although he initially refused to appear in court, a state judge ordered that he be transported.

U.S. District Judge Edward S. Kiel reviewed the complaint under the Prison Litigation Reform Act, which requires courts to screen filings from prisoners for merit before proceeding. Kiel ruled the case failed

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