<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="5-1004" title_number="5" title_name="Limitations, Prohibited Actions, and Immunities" subtitle_number="10" subtitle_name="Prisoner Litigation Act">
  <level label="a">
    <text>Prior to service of process of the prisoner’s civil action, the court shall review the prisoner’s initial complaint and identify any cognizable claims.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>After reviewing the prisoner’s complaint, the court may dismiss the civil action, or any portion thereof, with or without prejudice, if it finds that the civil action:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim for which relief can be granted;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Seeks monetary damages from a defendant who is immune from such relief; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Is barred under § 5-1003(a) of this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>An order of dismissal under subsection (b)(1) or (2) of this section may be issued without first requiring proof of exhaustion.</text>
  </level>
</section>
