Burt v. Hennessey

GOODWIN, Circuit Judge:

Benton Burt, while a pretrial detainee in the San Francisco County Jail, sued the Sheriff and others under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging that he was confined under illegal and unconstitutional conditions. After a bench trial, the district court concluded that Burt had been subjected to punishment in violation of his rights under the Eighth and Fourteenth amendments and awarded Burt $500 in damages. He appeals the denial of his cost bill as well as the parsimonious award of damages.

Burt, who was acting as his own attorney, itemized his costs and filed affidavits supporting…