Bishop v. Boswin

• Court: District Court, District of Columbia
• Decided: February 23, 2015
• Docket: Civil Action No. 2015-0264
• Status: Published

Opinion

A/

FILED FEazazms

Clerk. U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts forthe District of Columbia

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

J. BISHOP, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) Case: 1:15-cv-OO264 (F Deck) V' ; Assigned To : Unassigned Assign. Date : 2/23/2015 LACRESHA BOSWIN’ er “I” 3 Description: Pro Se Gen. Civil Defendants. ) MEMORANDUM OPINION

This matter is before the Court on plaintiff 5 application to proceed in forma pauperis and

her pro 56 civil complaint. The application will be granted, and the complaint will be dismissed.

The Court has reviewed plaintiffs complaint, keeping in mind that complaints filed by pro se litigants are held to less stringent standards than those applied to formal pleadings drafted by lawyers. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 US. 519, 520 (1972). Even pro se litigants, however, must comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Jarrell v. Tisch, 656 F. Supp. 237, 239 (D.D.C. 1987). Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires that a complaint contain a short and plain statement of the grounds upon which the Court’s jurisdiction depends, a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, and a demand for judgment for the relief the pleader seeks. Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a). The purpose of the minimum standard of Rule 8 is to give fair notice to the defendants of the claim being asserted, sufficient to prepare a responsive answer, to prepare an adequate defense and to determine whether the

doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F RD. 497, 498 (D.D.C. 1977).

Plaintiff, who apparently had obtained a temporary peace order from the District Court of

Maryland for Montgomery County, alleges that defendants have harassed, attacked, stolen from,

and stalked plaintiff and her family. See generally Compl. at 1-2. She asks this “Court for relief

for herself and family members who have been hurt” by defendants’ actions. Id. at 2. Missing from the complaint is any statement of the grounds upon which the Court’s jurisdiction depends, or a statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief. As drafted, the

complaint fails to comply with Rule 8(a), and it therefore will be dismissed.

An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately.

/ DATE: QV/l 8/9“ ‘J /

United ates District Judge