OKOGUN v. CREEGAN

• Court: District Court, D. New Jersey
• Decided: April 30, 2025
• Docket: 3:22-cv-02563
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY

ENOMEN JOHN OKOGUN, Plaintiff, Civil Action No. 22-2563 (MAS) (TJB) MEMORANDUM ORDER CAPTAIN KEVIN CREEGAN, ef al, Defendants.

This matter comes before the Court on pro se Plaintiff Enomen John Okogun’s (“Plaintiff”) filing of his Amended Complaint. (ECF No. 11.) Because the Court granted Plaintiff's in forma pauperis (“IFP”) Application (ECF No. 7), the Court must screen his Amended Complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). Plaintiff filed his original complaint on April 29, 2022 (Compl., ECF No. 1), and attached his IFP Application (IFP Appl., ECF No. 1-3).! On August 11, 2023, the Court granted Plaintiff's IFP application and dismissed his original complaint because he failed to allege facts that connected in any meaningful way to his claims. (See generally Mem. Op., ECF No. 7.) The Court also granted Plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint (see id.), which he did on September 18, 2023 (Am. Compl., ECF No. 11). Section 1915(e)(2) requires the Court to screen Plaintiff's Amended Complaint and to dismiss any claim that is frivolous or malicious, fails to state a claim, or seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i)-Giii). When

' The Court initially denied Plaintiff's IFP Application on January 10, 2023 (ECF No. 3), and thereafter Plaintiff moved for reconsideration (ECF No. 4) and filed a Second IFP Application on January 23, 2023 on August 11, 2023 (Second IFP Appl., ECF No. 5).

evaluating a claim under § 1915(e)(2), the Court applies the same standard that governs a motion to dismiss pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure? 12(b)(6). Grayson v, Mayview State Hosp., 293 F.3d 103, 112 (3d Cir. 2002). In order to survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Bell Ail. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007). “A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). The Court construes pleadings filed by pro se plaintiffs liberally and holds them to a less stringent standard than those filed by attorneys, Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972), but “pro se litigants still must allege sufficient facts in their complaints to support a claim,” Mala v. Crown Bay Marina, Inc., 704 F.3d 239, 245 (3d Cir. 2019). Here, Plaintiff's Amended Complaint fails to comply with Rule 8. Ln short, the Amended Complaint is neither “simple, concise, [nor] direct.” See Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(d)(1). While the Court granted Plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint, Plaintiff returned to the Court with an Amended Complaint that spans over 350 pages, including exhibits, compared to his original complaint, which was five pages. (Compare Am. Compl., with Compl.) In a similar case filed by Plaintiff, with a majority of the same facts, Okogun v. Trustees of Princeton University (“Okogun P’), the Third Circuit affirmed this Court’s dismissal of his complaint because it included irrelevant facts, anecdotes, and indecipherable claims; covered an unnecessarily long time period; and was “so voluminous and unfocused that it [wa]s impossible to identify what about [Plaintiff]’s encounters . . . could support any claim for relief regarding a violation of his state or federal constitutional rights.” 2024 WL 1427585, at *2 (3d Cir. Mar. 21, 2024).

All references to “Rule” or “Rules” hereinafter refer to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

As in Okogun I, Plaintiff's Amended Complaint unnecessarily spans 192 pages and includes an additional 174 pages of exhibits. (See generally Am. Compl.) The Amended Complaint includes irrelevant facts, various anecdotes, and background information from as early as 2014, approximately eight years before the original complaint was filed. (See id. {| 32-683.) It is within this Court’s discretion to dismiss “an excessively prolix and overlong complaint.” Garrett v. Wexford Health, 938 F.3d 69, 93 (3d Cir. 2019). Courts have famously stated that “judges are not like pigs, hunting for truffles buried [in the record].” Murthy v. Missouri, 603 U.S. 43, 67 n.7 (2024) (using the phrase in reference to plaintiff's burden to establish standing by setting forth specific facts); United States v. Morton, 993 F.3d 198, 204 n.10 (3d Cir, 2021) (using the phrase in reference to uncited references to the record on appeal); Singh v. Township of Weehawken, No. 15-3478, 2019 WL 13098595, at *2 (D.N.J. Feb. 7, 2019) (using the phrase in reference to making arguments) (“[T]his Court has frequently instructed parties that they bear the responsibility to comb the record and point the Court to the facts that support their arguments.” (citation omitted)). As such, the Court declines to “hunt” for relevant facts “buried” in Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint to support his allegations. The Court will afford Plaintiff one final opportunity to file a second amended complaint that complies with Rule 8. Such pleading should contain a short and plain statement limited to the necessary facts and must explain which specific facts support each cause of action. The Court highlights that the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey’s Procedural Guide for Pro Se Litigants? may assist Plaintiff in filing a second amended complaint.

> Procedural Guide for Pro Se Litigants, http://www.njd.uscourts.gov/sites/njd/files/ProSeGuide. pdf.

IT IS, THEREFORE, on this 30th day of April 2025, ORDERED as follows: I. Plaintiff's Amended Complaint (ECF No. 11) is DISMISSED without prejudice. 2. Plaintiff may file a second amended complaint within forty-five (45) days from entry of this Memorandum Order. 3, The Clerk is directed to affix a copy of the Procedural Guide for Pro Se Litigants to the entry of this Memorandum Order. MA df 7 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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This information is provided merely as a guide to Pro Se Litigants. You should not rely on this information alone. Moreover, any complaint may be subject to dismissal on a variety of grounds.

December 2024

UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURT DISTRICTOFNEWJERSEY IMPORTANTINFORMATION–PLEASEREADCAREFULLY INSTRUCTIONSFORFILINGACIVILACTIONBYANON-PRISONER __________________________________________________________ INSTRUCTIONSANDPROCEDURES CIVILCOMPLAINT–Acivilactioniscommencedbyfilingacomplaintwiththecourt. Youmust completeandsubmitanoriginalandtwocopiesoftheenclosedcomplaintformaswellasthe CivilCoverSheet. YoushouldalsokeepanadditionalcopyofanydocumentfiledwiththeCourt foryourownrecords. Allcopiesofthecomplaintmustbeidenticaltotheoriginal. FILINGFEE–Thefilingfeeforacivilcomplaintis$405.00.WeacceptCreditCards,Checksand MoneyOrdersthatshouldbemadepayableto:Clerk,UnitedStatesDistrictCourt. FILINGINFORMAPAUPERIS–Ifyouareunabletopaythefilingfee,youmayapplytothe Courttoallowyoutofileyourcomplaintwithouttheprepaymentofthefilingfee. Formsfor youruseareenclosedinthisproceduralguide. Theseformsmustalsoaccompanythe complaint. **Ifyouarenotifiedthattheinformapauperisapplicationisdeniedbythecourt,youwillbe requiredtopaythefilingfeeinorderforthecomplainttobefiledandyouractiontobe commenced.** SUMMONS–Summonsesshallbeissuedelectronicallyandmailedtotheplaintiffwhen,1)the Filingfeehasbeenpaidor2)theJudgepermitsthePlaintifftoproceedinformapauperis. Thereisnoneedtosubmitasummonswithyourcomplaint.RefertoRule4oftheFederal RulesofCivilProcedureforinstructionsonhowtoserveasummonsonadefendant. CamdenClerk’sOffice NewarkClerk’sOffice TrentonClerk’sOffice MitchellH.CohenU.S.Courthouse MartinLutherKingJr.FederalBldg ClarksonS.FisherBldg.& OneJohnF.GerryPlaza,P.OBox2797 &U.S.Courthouse U.S.Courthouse Fourth&CooperStreets,Room1050 50WalnutSt. 402EastStateStreet, Rm2020 Camden,NJ08101 Newark,NJ07101 Trenton,NJ08608 PLEASEDONOTseektheassistanceofanemployeeoftheClerk’sOfficetoadviseyouinthismatter. TheClerk’sOffice,underTitle28U.S.C.§955,isprohibitedfromprovidinganytypeoflegaladvice. TheUnitedStatesDistrictCourt,DistrictofNewJerseyWebsitecanbefoundat:www.njd.uscourts.gov TRIBUNAL FEDERAL DE PRIMERAINSTANCIA DISTRITO DE NUEVAJERSEY INFORMACIÓN IMPORTANTE – SÍRVASE LEER DETENIDAMENTE INSTRUCCIONES PARA PERSONAS NO ENCARCELADAS QUE PRESENTAN UNA DEMANDA CIVIL INSTRUCCIONES Y PROCEDIMIENTOS DEMANDA CIVIL – Una acción civil se inicia al presentar una demanda ante el tribunal. Deberá llenar y entregar el original y dos copias del formulario de demanda adjunto, así como la Carátula para Acciones Civiles. Deberá, además, guardar una copia de todo documento que presente ante el tribunal para sus archivos. Las copias de la demanda deben ser idénticas al original. CUOTA DE REGISTRO– Para una demanda civil, se cobra una cuota de registro de $US 405.00. Se aceptan tarjetas de crédito, cheques y giros postales, pagables a: Clerk, United States District Court. CÓMOPRESENTARUNA DEMANDAINFORMAPAUPERIS–Sino cuentaconlos recursos para pagar la cuota de registro, podrá solicitarle al Tribunal permiso para presentar la demanda sin tener que pagar la cuota de registro de antemano. E n est a gu í a d e procedimientos s e incl uyen form ul arios que puede us ar para es e fin. Deberá i nclui r di chos form ul arios con su dem and a. **Si se le notifica que el Tribunal ha denegado su petición in forma pauperis, se le exigirá pagar la cuota de registro para que la demanda se registre y para que se pueda iniciar su acción.** ÓRDENESDE COMPARECENCIA–Lasórdenesdecomparecenciaseemitirán electrónicamente y serán enviadas al Demandante cuando 1) se haya pagado la cuota de registro o 2)el Juez le haya permitido al Demandante proceder in forma pauperis. No es necesario que Ud. incluya una orden de comparecencia con su demanda. Remítase a la Norma 4 de las Normas Federales Procesales Civiles para obtener instrucciones acerca de cómo notificar al Demandado. CamdenClerk’sOffice NewarkClerk’sOffice TrentonClerk’sOffice Mitchell H. Cohen U.S. Courthouse MartinLuther King Jr. Federal Bldg. Clarkson S. Fisher Bldg. & One John F. Gerry Plaza, P.O. Box 1297 & U.S. Courthouse U.S. Courthouse Fourth& Cooper Streets,Room 1050 50 Walnut St. 402East StateStreet, Rm.2020 Camden,NJ08101 Newark,NJ07101 Trenton,NJ08608 TENGA LA BONDAD DE NO pedir ayuda ni tampoco asesoría a los empleados de la Oficina del Secretario (Clerk’s Office). Bajo el Título 28 del Código de los Estados Unidos, Artículo 955, se le prohíbe a la Oficina del Secretario proporcionar asesoramiento legal. ElsitiowebdelTribunalFederaldePrimeraInstanciadelDistritodeNuevaJerseyseencuentraen: List of Attachments:

1. GlossaryofTerms 2. PrivacyNotice 3. CivilCaseTimeline 4. (JS-44)CivilCoverSheet 5. ComplaintForm 6. (AO-239)ApplicationtoProceedinDistrictCourtWithoutPrepayingCourtFeesorCosts 7. Consent&RegistrationFormtoReceiveDocumentsElectronically 8. HelpfulHints 9. MotionGuide 10.AppendixK:ScheduleofFees 11. ADS - Pro Se Submission System Glossary decidescases;chiefjudgesaredetermined byseniority. ADVERSARYPROCESS–themethodcourts CLERKOFCOURT–anofficerappointedby usetoresolvedisputes;throughthe thecourttoworkwiththechiefjudgein adversaryprocess,eachsideinadispute overseeingthecourt’sadministration, presentsitscaseaspersuasivelyaspossible, especiallytoassistinmanagingtheflowof subjecttotherulesofevidence,andan casesthroughthecourt. independentfactfinder,eitherjudgeor COMPLAINT–awrittenstatementbythe jury,decidesforonesideortheother. personstartingalawsuit;thecomplaint ANSWER -theformalwrittenstatementby statesthewrongsallegedlycommittedby adefendantrespondingtoacomplaintand thedefendant. settingforththegroundsfordefense. CONTRACT–anagreementbetweentwoor APPEAL–arequest,madeafteratrial, morepersonsthatcreatesanobligationto askinganothercourt(usuallythecourtof doornottodoaparticularthing. appeals)todecidewhetherthetrialwas COUNSEL–alawyerorateamoflawyers; conductedproperly.Tomakesucha thetermisoftenusedduringatrialtorefer requestis“toappeal”or“totakean tolawyersinthecase. appeal.” COURT–anagencyofgovernment BENCHTRIAL–atrialwithoutajury,in authorizedtoresolvelegaldisputes.Judges whichthejudgedecidesthefacts. sometimesuse“court”toreferto BRIEF–awrittenstatementsubmittedby themselvesinthe,thirdperson,asin“the thelawyerforeachsideinanappellatecase courthasreadthepleadings.” thatexplainstothejudgeswhytheyshould COURTREPORTER–apersonwhomakesa decidethecaseinfavorofthatlawyer’s word-forwardrecordofwhatissaidincourt client. andproducesatranscriptoftheproceeding CASELAW–thelawaslaiddowninthe ifrequestedtodoso. decisionsofthecourts; thelawincases COUNTERCLAIM–acounter-demandmade thathavebeendecided. bydefendantagainsttheplaintiff.Itisnota CHAMBERS - theofficesofajudge. meredenialofplaintiff’sallegations,but ratherassertsanindependentcauseof CHIEFDISTRICTJUDGE–thejudgewhohas action,thepurposeofwhichistoopposeor primaryresponsibilityforthe deductfromplaintiff’sclaim. administrationofthedistrictcourt,butalso COURTROOMDEPUTYorCLERK–acourt GOVERNMENT–asitisusedinfederal employeewhoassitsthejudgebykeeping criminalcases,“government”referstothe trackofwitnesses,evidence,andothertrial lawyersintheU.S.attorney’sofficewhoare matters. prosecutingthecase. CROSS-CLAIM–apleadingwhichassertsa HEARSAY–evidencethatispresentedbya claimarisingoutofthesamesubjectmatter witnesswhodidnotseeorhearthe astheoriginalcomplaintagainstaco-party. incidentinquestionbutheardaboutitfrom Forexample,aco-defendantmayfilea someoneelse. Hearsayevidenceisusually cross-claimagainstanotherco-defendant notadmissibleasevidenceintrial. forcontributionforanydamagesassessed INSTRUCTIONS–thejudge’sexplanationto againstthecross-claimant. thejury,beforeitbeginsdeliberations,of CROSS (andRE-CROSS)EXAMINATION– thequestionsitmustanswerandthelaw questionsaskedbylawyersofwitnesses governingthecase. calledbytheiropponents. JUDGE–agovernmentofficialwith DAMAGES–moneypaidbydefendantsto authoritytodecidelawsuitsbroughtbefore successfulplaintiffsincivilcasesto courts. compensatetheplaintiffsfortheirinjuries. JURISDICTION–(1)thelegalauthorityofa DEFENDANT–inacivilsuit,theperson courttohearanddecideacase;(2)the complainedagainst;inacriminalcase,the geographicareaoverwhichthecourthas personaccusedofthecrime. authoritytodecidecases. DIRECT(andRE-DIRECT)EXAMINATION– LAWSUIT–anactionstartedbyaplaintiff questionsaskedbylawyersofwitnesses againstadefendantbasedonacomplaint theyhaveaskedtocometocourtinorder thatthedefendantcommittedacrimeor tobringoutevidenceforthefactfinder. failedtoperformalegalduty. DISCOVERY–lawyers’examination,before LITIGANTS–seePARTIES. trial,offactsanddocumentsinpossession MAGISTRATEJUDGE–infederalcourt,the oftheopponents,tohelpthelawyers U.S.magistratejudgeisajudicialofficer preparefortrial. whoassiststhedistrictjudgesingetting EVIDENCE–informationintestimonyorin casesreadyfortrial.Magistratesjudges documentsthatispresentedtopersuade alsomaydecidesomecriminaltrialsand thefactfinder(judgeorjury)todecidethe maydecideciviltrialswhenbothparties caseforonesideortheother. agreetohavethecaseheardbya magistratejudgeinsteadofadistrictjudge. Moregenerally,theterm"magistrate" referstovariouspublicofficers,often PLAINTIFF–thepersonwhofilesthe judicialofficerswithlessauthoritythan complaintinacivillawsuit. federalmagistratesjudges. PLEADINGS–inacivilcase,thewritten MOTION–anapplicationmadetoacourt statementsofthepartiesstatingtheir orjudgeforanorder,ruling,orthelike positionaboutthecase. OPINION–ajudge’swrittenexplanationof PRECEDENT–acourtdecisioninanearlier adecisioninacase. AnOpinionofthe casewithfactssimilartoadisputecurrently Courtexplainsthedecisionofthecourtor beforeacourt. ofamajorityofthejudges. ADissenting PRETRIALCONFERENCE–ameetingofthe Opinionisanexplanationbyoneormore judgeandlawyerstodecidewhichmatters judgesofwhytheybelievethedecisionor areindisputeandshouldbepresentedto opinionofthecourtiswrong.AConcurring thejury,toreviewevidenceandwitnesses Opinionagreeswiththedecisionofthe tobepresented,tosetatimetableforthe courtbutoffersfurthercomment. case,andsometimestodiscusssettlement ORALARGUMENT–inappellatecases,an ofthecase. opportunityforthelawyersforeachsideto PROSE–aLatintermmeaning“onone’s summarizetheirpositionforthejudgesand ownbehalf”;incourts,itreferstopersons answerthejudges’questions. whotrytheirowncaseswithoutlawyers. PANEL–(1)inappellatecases,agroupof PROSECUTE–tochargesomeonewitha threejudgesassignedtodecidethecase;(2) crimeinacivilviolationandseektogaina intheprocessofjuryselection,thegroupof criminalconvictionoraciviljudgment. potentialjurorsbroughtinforvoirdire. RECORD–awrittenaccountofalltheacts PARTIES–theplaintiff(s)anddefendant(s) andproceedingsinalawsuit. toalawsuitandtheirlawyers. REMAND–whenanappellatecourtsendsa PETITJURY(orTRIALJURY)–agroupof casebacktoalowercourtforfurther citizenswhoheartheevidencepresented proceedings. bybothsidesattrialanddeterminethe factsindispute. Federalcriminaljuries REVERSE–whenanappellatecourtsets consistof12persons(sometimeswith1or asidethedecisionofalowercourtbecause 2alternatejurorsincaseoneofthetwelve ofanerror. Areversalisoftenfollowedby cannotcontinue). Federalciviljuriesusually aremand. consistof6persons,withalternates.“Petit” isFrenchfor“small”,thusdistinguishingthe SETTLE–inlegalterminology,whenthe trialjuryfromthelargergrandjury. partiestoalawsuitagreetoresolvetheir differencesamongthemselveswithout WITNESS–apersoncalleduponbyeither havingatrial. sideinalawsuit SIDEBAR–aconferencebetweenthejudge andlawyersheldoutoftheearshotofthe juryandspectators. STATUTE–alawpassedbyalegislature. SUMMARYJUDGMENT–adecisionmade onthebasisofstatementsandevidence presentedfortherecordwithoutanyneed foratrial. Itisusedwhenthereisno disputeastothefactsofthecaseandone partyisentitledtojudgmentasamatterof law. TESTIMONY–evidencepresentedorallyby witnessesduringtrialsorbeforegrand juries. TRANSCRIPT–awritten,word-for-word recordofwhatwassaid,eitherina proceedingsuchasatrialorduringsome otherconversation,asina“transcript”ofa telephoneconversation. UPHOLD–whenanappellatecourtdoes notreversealowercourtdecision. U.S.ATTORNEY–alawyerappointedbythe President,ineachjudicialdistrict,to prosecutecasesforthefederal government. VERDICT–apetitjury’sdecision. VOIRDIRE–theprocessbywhichjudges andlawyersselectapetitjuryfromamong thoseeligibletoserve. “Voirdire”isalegal phrasemeaning“tospeakthetruth.” UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURT DISTRICTOFNEWJERSEY PRIVACYNOTICE PleasebeadvisedthatdocumentsfiledincasespendingintheUnitedStatesDistrictCourtfortheDistrictofNew JerseyareavailabletothepublicviatheCourt’selectronicaccesssystemPACER(PublicAccesstoCourtElectronic Records).PACERisanautomatedsystemthat,forafee,allowsanindividualtoview,printanddownloadcourt docketinformationovertheinternet. TheFederalRulesofCivilProcedurerequirethefilerofadocumenttoredactthefollowingpersonalidentifiers fromthedocument: 1) SocialSecurityNumberstothelastfourdigits; 2) Financialaccountnumberstothelastfourdigits; 3) Namesofminorchildrentotheinitials; 4) Datesofbirthtotheyear;and 5) Homeaddressestothecityandstate–Partiesfilingprosemustincludetheircompletemailing addressforpurposesofsendingnotices,orders,etc. Thefilerofthedocumenthasthesoleresponsibilityforredactingthisinformationfromthedocument. The ClerkwillNOTrevieweachfilingforredaction. IncompliancewiththeE-GovernmentActof2002,apartywishingtofileadocumentcontainingthepersonaldata identifierslistedabovemayfileanunredacteddocumentunderseal. LitigantsshallfileaNoticeofMotionto permittheunredacteddocumentscontainingpersonalidentifierstobefiledunderseal. Becausefilingswillbeavailableelectronicallyandmaycontaininformationimplicatingnotonlyprivacybutalso personalsecurityconcerns,thecourtencouragescounselandproselitigantstoexercisecautionwhenfilinga documentthatcontainsanyofthefollowinginformation: 1) Anypersonalidentifyingnumber,suchasadriver’slicensenumber; 2) Medicalrecords,treatmentanddiagnosis; 3) Employmenthistory; 4) Individualfinancialinformation; 5) Proprietaryortradesecretinformation; 6) Informationregardingandindividuals’cooperationwiththegovernment; 7) Informationregardingthevictimoranycriminalactivity; 8) Nationalsecurityinformation 9) Sensitivesecurityinformationasdescribedin49U.S.C.§114(s). ItistheresponsibilityofthefilertobesurethatalldocumentsandpleadingscomplywiththerulesofthisCourt inconnectionwiththeredactionofpersonalidentifiers. < zo = 2 £i Fw a5 Os ao = & _ - £3 = > se 8 § SE ~ £0 25 oo 8 2 > pee = 624 = 628, S2Z5 S 8 28 a3 aogw ‘» © AD _ □ □□ 25 a” a oO > = cnn 2 © = 3 ees 25 5 29 5 oO a8 OD Ae 6 Eo £ 2 52 © @ 5g oC so 8 □□□ © □□ en

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I. (a) PLAINTIFFS DEFENDANTS (b) CountyofResidenceofFirstListedPlaintiff CountyofResidenceofFirstListedDefendant (EXCEPTINU.S.PLAINTIFFCASES) (INU.S.PLAINTIFFCASESONLY) NOTE: INLANDCONDEMNATIONCASES,USETHELOCATIONOF THETRACTOFLANDINVOLVED. (c) Attorneys(FirmName,Address,andTelephoneNumber) Attorneys(IfKnown) II. BASISOFJURISDICTION(Placean“X”inOneBoxOnly) III.CITIZENSHIPOFPRINCIPALPARTIES(Placean“X”inOneBoxforPlaintiff (ForDiversityCasesOnly) andOneBoxforDefendant) 1 U.S.Government 3 FederalQuestion PTF DEF PTF DEF Plaintiff (U.S.GovernmentNotaParty) CitizenofThisState 1 1 IncorporatedorPrincipalPlace 4 4 ofBusinessInThisState 2 U.S.Government 4 Diversity CitizenofAnotherState 2 2 IncorporatedandPrincipalPlace 5 5 Defendant (IndicateCitizenshipofPartiesinItemIII) ofBusinessInAnotherState CitizenorSubjectofa 3 3 ForeignNation 6 6 ForeignCountry IV. NATUREOFSUIT(Placean“X”inOneBoxOnly) Clickherefor:NatureofSuitCodeDescriptions. CONTRACT TORTS FORFEITURE/PENALTY BANKRUPTCY OTHERSTATUTES 110Insurance PERSONALINJURY PERSONALINJURY 625DrugRelatedSeizure 422Appeal28USC158 375FalseClaimsAct 120Marine 310Airplane 365PersonalInjury - ofProperty21USC881 423Withdrawal 376QuiTam(31USC 130MillerAct 315AirplaneProduct ProductLiability 690Other 28USC157 3729(a)) 140NegotiableInstrument Liability 367HealthCare/ INTELLECTUAL 400StateReapportionment 150RecoveryofOverpayment 320Assault,Libel& Pharmaceutical PROPERTYRIGHTS 410Antitrust &EnforcementofJudgment Slander PersonalInjury 820Copyrights 430BanksandBanking 151MedicareAct 330FederalEmployers’ ProductLiability 830Patent 450Commerce 152RecoveryofDefaulted Liability 368AsbestosPersonal 835Patent-Abbreviated 460Deportation StudentLoans 340Marine InjuryProduct NewDrugApplication 470RacketeerInfluencedand (ExcludesVeterans) 345MarineProduct Liability 840Trademark CorruptOrganizations 153RecoveryofOverpayment Liability PERSONALPROPERTY LABOR 880DefendTradeSecrets 480ConsumerCredit ofVeteran’sBenefits 350MotorVehicle 370OtherFraud 710FairLaborStandards Actof2016 (15USC1681or1692) 160Stockholders’Suits 355MotorVehicle 371TruthinLending Act 485TelephoneConsumer 190OtherContract ProductLiability 380OtherPersonal 720Labor/Management SOCIALSECURITY ProtectionAct 195ContractProductLiability 360OtherPersonal PropertyDamage Relations 861HIA(1395ff) 490Cable/SatTV 196Franchise Injury 385PropertyDamage 740RailwayLaborAct 862BlackLung(923) 850Securities/Commodities/ 362PersonalInjury- ProductLiability 751FamilyandMedical 863DIWC/DIWW(405(g)) Exchange MedicalMalpractice LeaveAct 864SSIDTitleXVI 890OtherStatutoryActions REALPROPERTY CIVILRIGHTS PRISONERPETITIONS 790OtherLaborLitigation 865RSI(405(g)) 891AgriculturalActs 210LandCondemnation 440OtherCivilRights HabeasCorpus: 791EmployeeRetirement 893EnvironmentalMatters 220Foreclosure 441Voting 463AlienDetainee IncomeSecurityAct FEDERALTAXSUITS 895FreedomofInformation 230RentLease&Ejectment 442Employment 510MotionstoVacate 870Taxes(U.S.Plaintiff Act 240TortstoLand 443Housing/ Sentence orDefendant) 896Arbitration 245TortProductLiability Accommodations 530General 871IRS—ThirdParty 899AdministrativeProcedure 290AllOtherRealProperty 445Amer.w/Disabilities- 535DeathPenalty IMMIGRATION 26USC7609 Act/RevieworAppealof Employment Other: 462NaturalizationApplication AgencyDecision 446Amer.w/Disabilities- 540Mandamus&Other 465OtherImmigration 950Constitutionalityof Other 550CivilRights Actions StateStatutes 448Education 555PrisonCondition 560CivilDetainee- Conditionsof Confinement V. ORIGIN(Placean“X”inOneBoxOnly) 1 Original 2 Removedfrom 3 Remandedfrom 4 Reinstatedor 5 Transferredfrom 6 Multidistrict 8Multidistrict Proceeding StateCourt AppellateCourt Reopened AnotherDistrict Litigation- Litigation- (specify) Transfer DirectFile CitetheU.S.CivilStatuteunderwhichyouarefiling(Donotcitejurisdictionalstatutesunlessdiversity): VI. CAUSEOFACTION Briefdescriptionofcause: VII. REQUESTEDIN CHECKIFTHISISACLASSACTION DEMAND$ CHECKYESonlyifdemandedincomplaint: COMPLAINT: UNDERRULE23,F.R.Cv.P. JURYDEMAND: Yes No VIII. RELATEDCASE(S) IFANY (Seeinstructions): JUDGE DOCKETNUMBER DATE SIGNATUREOFATTORNEYOFRECORD TheJS44civilcoversheetandtheinformationcontainedhereinneitherreplacesnorsupplementsthefilingsandserviceofpleadingorotherpapersas requiredbylaw,exceptasprovidedbylocalrulesofcourt. Thisform,approvedbytheJudicialConferenceoftheUnitedStatesinSeptember1974,is requiredfortheuseoftheClerkofCourtforthepurposeofinitiatingthecivildocketsheet. Consequently,acivilcoversheetissubmittedtotheClerkof Courtforeachcivilcomplaintfiled. Theattorneyfilingacaseshouldcompletetheformasfollows: I.(a) Plaintiffs-Defendants. Enternames(last,first,middleinitial)ofplaintiffanddefendant. Iftheplaintiffordefendantisagovernmentagency,use onlythefullnameorstandardabbreviations.Iftheplaintiffordefendantisanofficialwithinagovernmentagency,identifyfirsttheagencyandthen theofficial,givingbothnameandtitle. (b) CountyofResidence. Foreachcivilcasefiled,exceptU.S.plaintiffcases,enterthenameofthecountywherethefirstlistedplaintiffresidesatthe timeoffiling.InU.S.plaintiffcases,enterthenameofthecountyinwhichthefirstlisteddefendantresidesatthetimeoffiling.(NOTE:Inland condemnationcases,thecountyofresidenceofthe"defendant"isthelocationofthetractoflandinvolved.) (c) Attorneys. Enterthefirmname,address,telephonenumber,andattorneyofrecord. Ifthereareseveralattorneys,listthemonanattachment,noting inthissection"(seeattachment)". II. Jurisdiction. ThebasisofjurisdictionissetforthunderRule8(a),F.R.Cv.P.,whichrequiresthatjurisdictionsbeshowninpleadings. Placean"X" inoneoftheboxes.Ifthereismorethanonebasisofjurisdiction,precedenceisgivenintheordershownbelow. UnitedStatesplaintiff. (1)Jurisdictionbasedon28U.S.C.1345and1348. SuitsbyagenciesandofficersoftheUnitedStatesareincludedhere. UnitedStatesdefendant. (2)WhentheplaintiffissuingtheUnitedStates,itsofficersoragencies,placean"X"inthisbox. Federalquestion. (3)Thisreferstosuitsunder28U.S.C.1331,wherejurisdictionarisesundertheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,anamendment totheConstitution,anactofCongressoratreatyoftheUnitedStates.IncaseswheretheU.S.isaparty,theU.S.plaintiffordefendantcodetakes precedence,andbox1or2shouldbemarked. Diversityofcitizenship. (4)Thisreferstosuitsunder28U.S.C.1332,wherepartiesarecitizensofdifferentstates. WhenBox4ischecked,the citizenshipofthedifferentpartiesmustbechecked. (SeeSectionIIIbelow;NOTE:federalquestionactionstakeprecedenceoverdiversity cases.) III. Residence(citizenship)ofPrincipalParties. ThissectionoftheJS44istobecompletedifdiversityofcitizenshipwasindicatedabove. Markthis sectionforeachprincipalparty. IV. NatureofSuit. Placean"X"intheappropriatebox. Iftherearemultiplenatureofsuitcodesassociatedwiththecase,pickthenatureofsuitcode thatismostapplicable. Clickherefor:NatureofSuitCodeDescriptions. V. Origin. Placean"X"inoneofthesevenboxes. OriginalProceedings. (1)CaseswhichoriginateintheUnitedStatesdistrictcourts. RemovedfromStateCourt. (2)ProceedingsinitiatedinstatecourtsmayberemovedtothedistrictcourtsunderTitle28U.S.C.,Section1441. RemandedfromAppellateCourt. (3)Checkthisboxforcasesremandedtothedistrictcourtforfurtheraction. Usethedateofremandasthefiling date. ReinstatedorReopened. (4)Checkthisboxforcasesreinstatedorreopenedinthedistrictcourt. Usethereopeningdateasthefilingdate. TransferredfromAnotherDistrict. (5)ForcasestransferredunderTitle28U.S.C.Section1404(a). Donotusethisforwithindistricttransfersor multidistrictlitigationtransfers. MultidistrictLitigation–Transfer. (6)CheckthisboxwhenamultidistrictcaseistransferredintothedistrictunderauthorityofTitle28U.S.C. Section1407. MultidistrictLitigation–DirectFile. (8)CheckthisboxwhenamultidistrictcaseisfiledinthesamedistrictastheMasterMDLdocket. PLEASENOTETHATTHEREISNOTANORIGINCODE7. OriginCode7wasusedforhistoricalrecordsandisnolongerrelevantdueto changesinstatute. VI. CauseofAction. Reportthecivilstatutedirectlyrelatedtothecauseofactionandgiveabriefdescriptionofthecause. Donotcitejurisdictional statutesunlessdiversity. Example:U.S.CivilStatute:47USC553BriefDescription:Unauthorizedreceptionofcableservice. VII. RequestedinComplaint. ClassAction. Placean"X"inthisboxifyouarefilingaclassactionunderRule23,F.R.Cv.P. Demand. Inthisspaceentertheactualdollaramountbeingdemandedorindicateotherdemand,suchasapreliminaryinjunction. JuryDemand. Checktheappropriateboxtoindicatewhetherornotajuryisbeingdemanded. VIII. RelatedCases. ThissectionoftheJS44isusedtoreferencerelatedpendingcases,ifany. Iftherearerelatedpendingcases,insertthedocket numbersandthecorrespondingjudgenamesforsuchcases. DateandAttorneySignature. Dateandsignthecivilcoversheet. DISTRICT OFNEW JERSEY

(In the space above enter the full name(s) of the plaintiff(s).) -against - COMPLAINT Jury Trial: Yes No (check one)

(In the space above enter the full name(s) of the defendant(s). If you cannot fit the names of all of the defendants in the space provided, please write “see attached” in the space above and attach an additional sheet of paper with the full list of names. The names listed in the above caption must be identical to those contained in Part I. Addresses should not be included here.) I. Parties in this complaint: A. List your name, address and telephone number. Do the same for any additional plaintiffs named. Attach additional sheets of paper as necessary. Plaintiff Name StreetAddress County, City State &Zip Code TelephoneNumber B. List all defendants. Youshould state the full name of the defendants, even ifthat defendant is a government agency, an organization,acorporation,oranindividual. Includetheaddresswhereeachdefendantcanbe served. Make sure that the defendant(s) listed below are identical to those contained in the above caption. Attach additionalsheetsofpaperasnecessary. Defendant No. 1 Name Street Address County, City State &ZipCode Defendant No. 2 Name StreetAddress County, City State & Zip Code Defendant No. 3 Name StreetAddress County, City State & Zip Code Defendant No. 4 Name Street Address County, City State & Zip Code II. BasisforJurisdiction: Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. There are four types of cases that can be heard in federal court: 1) Federal Question - Under 28 U.S.C. § 1331, a case involving the United States Constitution or federal laws or treaties is a federal question case; 2) Diversity of Citizenship - Under 28 U.S.C. § 1332, a case in which a citizen of one state sues a citizen of another state and the amount in damages is more than $75,000 is a diversity of citizenship case; 3)U.S. Government Plaintiff; and 4) U.S. Government Defendant. A. Whatisthebasisforfederalcourtjurisdiction?(checkallthatapply) Q Federal Questions Q Diversity of Citizenship U.S. Government Plaintiff U.S. Government Defendant B. If the basis for jurisdiction is Federal Question, what federal Constitutional, statutory or treaty right is at issue? C. If the basis for jurisdiction is Diversity of Citizenship, what is the state of citizenship of each party? Plaintiff(s) state(s)ofcitizenship Defendant(s)state(s)ofcitizenship III. Statement of Claim: State as briefly as possible the facts of your case. Describe how each of the defendants named in the caption of this complaint is involved in this action, along with the dates and locations of all relevant events. You may wish to include further details such as the names of other persons involved in the events giving rise to your claims. Do not cite any cases or statutes. If you intend to allege a number of related claims, number and set forth each claim in a separate paragraph. Attach additional sheets of paper as necessary. A. Wheredidtheeventsgivingrisetoyourclaim(s)occur? B. What date and approximate time did the events giving rise to your claim(s) occur? C. Facts: What happened toyou?

Who did what?

Was anyone else involved? Who else saw what happened? IV. Injuries: If you sustained injuries related to the events alleged above, describe them and state what medical treatment, if any, you required and received.

V. Relief:

State what you want the Court to do for you and the amount of monetary compensation, if any, you are seeking, and thebasisforsuchcompensation. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Signedthis dayof ,20 .

SignatureofPlaintiff MailingAddress

Telephone Number FaxNumber(ifyouhaveone) E-mail Address Note: Allplaintiffs named in the caption of the complaint must date and sign the complaint.

Signature of Plaintiff: AO 239 (Rev. 01/15) Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Long Form) UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT for the __________ District of __________ ) Plaintiff/Petitioner ) v. ) Civil Action No. ) Defendant/Respondent ) APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN DISTRICT COURT WITHOUT PREPAYING FEES OR COSTS (Long Form) Affidavit in Support of the Application Instructions I am a plaintiff or petitioner in this case and declare Complete all questions in this application and then sign it. that I am unableto pay the costs of these proceedings Do not leave any blanks: if the answer to a question is “0,” and that I am entitled to the relief requested. I declare “none,” or “not applicable (N/A),” write that response. If under penalty of perjury that the information below is you need more space to answer a question or to explain your true and understand that a false statement may result in answer, attach a separate sheet of paper identified with your a dismissal of my claims. name, your case's docket number, and the question number. Signed: Date: 1. For both you and your spouse estimate the average amount of money received from each of the following sources during the past 12 months. Adjust any amount that was received weekly, biweekly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually to show the monthly rate. Use gross amounts, that is, amounts before any deductions for taxes or otherwise. Income source Average monthly income Income amount expected amount during the past 12 next month months You Spouse You Spouse Employment $ $ $ $ Self-employment $ $ $ $ Income from real property (suchas rental income) $ $ $ $ Interest and dividends $ $ $ $ Gifts $ $ $ $ Alimony $ $ $ $ Child support $ $ $ $ AO 239 (Rev. 01/15) Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Long Form) Retirement (such as social security, pensions, annuities, $ $ $ $ insurance) Disability (such as social security, insurance payments) $ $ $ $ Unemployment payments $ $ $ $ Public-assistance (such as welfare) $ $ $ $ Other (specify): $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Total monthly income: 2. List your employment history for the past two years, most recent employer first. (Grossmonthlypayisbeforetaxesor other deductions.) Employer Address Datesofemployment Gross monthly pay $ $ 3. List your spouse's employment history for the past two years, most recent employer first. (Gross monthly pay is before taxes or other deductions.) Employer Address Dates of employment Gross monthly pay $ $ $ 4. How much cash do you and your spouse have? $ Below, state any money you or your spouse have in bank accounts or in any other financial institution. Financial institution Type of account Amount you have Amount your spouse has $ $ $ $ $ $ If you are a prisoner, you must attach a statement certified by the appropriate institutional officer showing all receipts, expenditures, and balances during the last six months in your institutional accounts. If you have multiple accounts, perhaps because you have been in multiple institutions, attach one certified statement of each account. Page 3 of 5 AO 239 (Rev. 01/15) Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Long Form) 5. List the assets, and their values, which you own or your spouse owns. Do not list clothing and ordinary household furnishings. Assets owned by you or your spouse

Make and year:

Registration #:

Make and year: Registration #:

6. State every person, business, or organization owing you or your spouse money, and the amount owed. Person owing you or your spouse Amount owed to you Amount owed to your spouse mone

7. State the persons who rely on you or your spouse for support. Name (or, if under 18, initials only) Relationship

AO 239 (Rev. 01/15) Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Long Form) 8. Estimatetheaveragemonthlyexpensesofyouandyourfamily. Showseparatelytheamountspaidbyyour spouse. Adjust any payments that are madeweekly, biweekly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually to show the monthly rate. You Your spouse Rent or home-mortgage payment (including lot rented for mobile home) Are real estate taxes included? ’ Yes ’ No $ $ Is property insurance included? ’ Yes ’ No Utilities (electricity, heating fuel, water, sewer, and telephone) $ $ Home maintenance (repairs and upkeep) $ $ Food $ $ Clothing $ $ Laundry and dry-cleaning $ $ Medical and dental expenses $ $ Transportation (not including motor vehicle payments) $ $ Recreation, entertainment, newspapers, magazines, etc. $ $ Insurance (not deducted from wages or included in mortgage payments) Homeowner's or renter's: $ $ Life: $ $ Health: $ $ Motor vehicle: $ $ Other: $ $ Taxes (not deducted from wages or included in mortgage payments) (specify): $ $ Installment payments Motor vehicle: $ $ Credit card (name): $ $ Department store (name): $ $ Other: $ $ Alimony, maintenance, and support paid to others $ $ AO 239 (Rev. 01/15) Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Long Form) Regular expenses for operation of business, profession, or farm (attach detailed $ $ statement) Other (specify): $ $ $ $ Total monthly expenses: 9. Do you expect any major changes to your monthly income or expenses or in your assets or liabilities during the next 12 months? ’ Yes ’ No If yes, describe on an attached sheet. 10. Have you spent — or will you be spending — any money for expenses or attorney fees in conjunction with this lawsuit? ’ Yes ’No If yes, how much? $ 11. Provide any other information that will help explain why you cannot pay the costs of these proceedings. 12. Identify the city and state of your legal residence. Yourdaytimephonenumber: Your age: Your years of schooling: UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY Pro se (Non Prisoner) Consent & Registration Form to Receive Documents Electronically

Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b), and Fed. R. Civ. P. 77(d), Local Civil Rule 5.2 and the Court’s Electronic Case Filing Policies and Procedures, documents may be served through the court’s transmission facilities by electronic means. Documents that are not permitted to be served electronically are pleadings that are to be served with process under Fed.R.Civ.P. 4. I __________________________________ hereby consent to receive service of documents and notice of electronic filings via the Court’s electronic filing system to the extent andin the manner authorized by the above rules andwaiving the right to receive notice byfirst class mail pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 5(b)(2)(D) and Fed.R.Civ.P. 77(d). Pursuant to Local Civil Rule10.1, I will promptly notifythe Courtif there is a change in my personal data, such as name, address, and/or e-mail address. I will promptly notifythe Court to request cancellation of electronic service. Litigants who have consented to receive documents electronically will be sent a Notice of Electronic Filing via e-mail. Upon receipt of the notice, they are permitted one “free look” at the document byclicking on the hyperlinked document number. Theone “freelook” will expire 15 days from the date the notice was sent. After the “free look” is used or expires, the document can only beaccessed through PACER(Public Access to Court Electronic Records.) It is recommended that litigants establish a PACER account. This can be accomplished by visiting the PACER web site at http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov. PACER is an automated system that allows an individual to view, print, and download documents fora fee. Mye-mail address is: ___________________________________________________________ Mycasenumber is: _____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________ Signature of Litigant ___________________________________ Mailing Address ___________________________________ City, State, Zip Code ___________________________________ Telephone Number Date: _________________________ HelpfulHints:

~ AlloriginalpaperssubmittedforconsiderationtotheCourtaretobefiledwiththeClerkofthis Court. CopiesofpapersfiledinthisCourtaretobeserveduponcounselforallotherparties(or directlyonanypartyactingprose). Proofthatservicehasbeenmadeisprovidedbya certificateofservice. Thiscertificateshouldbefiledinthecasealongwiththeoriginalpapers andshouldshowthedayandmannerofservice. Example: “I,(name),doherebycertifythatatrueandcorrectcopyoftheforegoing(name ofpleadingorotherpaper)hasbeenservedupon(name(s)ofperson(s)served) byplacingthesameintheU.S.Mail,properlyaddressedthis(date)dayof (month),(year).” _________________________ (Signature) ~ Anyrequestforcourtactionshallbesetforthinamotion,properlyfiledandserved. (Pleasesee theMotionGuideincludedinthispacket.) ~ NodirectcommunicationistotakeplacewiththeDistrictJudgeorUnitedStatesMagistrate Judgewithregardtothiscase. Allrelevantinformationandpapersaretobedirectedtothe Clerk. ~ ThepartiesshouldnotifytheClerk’sofficewhenthereisanaddresschange. Failuretodoso couldresultincourtordersorotherinformationnotbeingtimelydelivered,whichcouldaffect theparties’legalrights. D I S T R I C T O F N E W J E R S E Y O F F I C E O F T H E C L E R K CAMDEN OFFICE M AR TI N LU TH ER KINGJR . F EDER A L BUIL D IN G ANDU.S. C OURT HOUS E M ITCH E LL H. COHE N 50 W AL N UTS TR EET U. S.C O UR T HO US E NEWARK,NEW JERSEY07101 1JOHNF.GERRYPLAZA C AM DEN, NJ 08101 Cler k TRENT ON OFFICE C LARKSON S.FISH ER U. S. C O UR T HO US E 402EASTSTATESTREET R OOM 2020 TR E NTO N , NJ 08608 REPLY TO: MOTION GUIDE (Please note, these instructions arebeing provided as a guide only and you should consult the FederalRules ofCivilProcedure, aswellas the LocalRules fortheDistrict ofNew Jerseyprior to filing a Notice ofMotion.) *****Any request forcourt action shall be set forth in a motion, properly filed and served***** Inorderto have anymotion listed before the Court, it must comply with LocalCivilRules 7.1, 37.1, and/or 78.1 of this Court: (1) At the time of filing your motion withthe Court, you must also serve your motion papers on the opposing parties by serving their counsel, if so represented. You must file a certification indicating the method ofservice. (2) Each Notice of Motion must have a motion date and must be filed at least 24 days prior to the motion date. (Motion days are the first and third Monday of each month and can be found on our website at - www.njd.uscourts.gov.) (3) A Brief must besubmitted in support of each motion, or a Statement that a Brief is not necessary and the reason therefore. (Briefs are submitted as separate documents, and should not haveaffidavits, certifications, or exhibits attached.) THE LOCAL RULES MAY BE ACCESSED AT NO CHARGE ON THE COURT’S WEBSITE -www.njd.uscourts.gov (Title of Action) : Plaintiff, : Civil Action No. v. : NOTICE OFMOTION : Defendant. : PLEASE TAKE NOTICE (Name of Moving Party) will move before the Honorable , U.S.D.J. on (Motion days are the1st and 3rd Monday of each month) for an Order . (describetype of relief being sought) In support of my motion, I will rely on the attached brief(if necessary).

Name

Address

Date: I, , certify that a copyof mymotion was served (Name of Moving Party) by on upon: (Mail, Personal Service, etc.) (Date)

(Nameof Opposing Party)

(Address of Opposing Party)

Name (Signature) UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OFNEWJERSEY OfficeoftheClerk ScheduleofFees TheClerk of theDistrictCourtis requiredto collect thefollowing fees: Commencinganycivilactionorproceedingotherthananapplicationforawritofhabeascorpus Filingfee-$350.00plus$55AdministrativeFee(inapplicabletoIFP) $405.00 Applicationforwritofhabeascorpus 5.00 FilingaNoticeofAppealinanycase Feeincludes$5districtcourtfee(28U.S.C.§1917) 605.00 FilingaNoticeofAppealtoDistrictJudgefromaJudgmentofConviction ByaMagistrateJudgeinaMisdemeanorCase 41.00 CertificateofSearch,pernameoritem 34.00 Certificationofanydocument 12.00 Exemplificationofanydocument 24.00 Issuanceofanapostille 50.00 Filingmiscellaneouspaper(anydocumentnotrelatedtoapendingcaseorproceeding) 52.00 Registrationofforeignjudgment 52.00 AdmissionofAttorneytoPractice(includingcertificate) 225.00 DuplicateAttorneyCertificateofAdmission 21.00 CertificateofGoodStandingtoPractice 21.00 AdmissiontoAppearProHacVice(eachcase) 250.00 Forreproducinganyrecordandprovidingacopyinpaperform,whichincludesoriginaldocuments .50perpage ormicroficheormicrofilmreproductionoftheoriginalrecords Forreproducingandtransmittinginanymanneracopyofanelectronicrecordstoredoutsideofthe 33.00 Court’selectroniccasemanagementsystem,includingbutnotlimitedto,documentfiles, audiorecordings,andvideorecordings,perrecordprovided. Forreproducinganaudiorecordingofacourtproceeding 34.00 RetrievaloffirstboxofrecordsfromFederalRecordsCenterorNationalArchives 70.00 RetrievalofadditionalboxesfromFederalRecordsCenterorNationalArchives,perbox 43.00 AnypaymentintotheCourtwhichisreturnedordeniedforinsufficientfunds,orreversedduetoa 53.00 chargeback Processingfeeforapettyoffensechargedonafederalviolation 25.00 CommencingacivilactionunderTitleIIIofCubanLibertyandDemocraticSolidarity 7,202.00 (LIBERTAD)Actof1996(Thisfeeisinadditiontothefeeforcommencingacivilaction.) CHECKSANDMONEYORDERSSHOULDBEMADEPAYABLETO: CLERK,UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURT May1,1987 AmendedeffectiveDecember18,1996;April1,1997;January1,1998;February1,2001;July1,2001;October1,2002; November1,2003;June1,2004;February7,2005;March22,2005;April9,2006;November1,2011;June1,2012;May1,2013; December1,2013,December1,2014,December1,2016,September26,2018;October1,2019,December1,2020,July15,2021, July20,2021,December1,2023,March1,2024. ADS Alternate Document Submission

What is Alternate Document Submission? Alternate Document Submission (ADS) is a District of New Jersey service that may be used by self- represented litigants without CM/ECF privileges for filing a new civil case or for filing documents in existing civil, criminal or miscellaneous cases, as an alternative to mailing or bringing the documents to the courthouse. Using ADS is the electronic equivalent of mailing your document(s) to the Court for filing on CM/ECF. You are not required to use ADS. You may continue to elect to submit documents by one of the other filing methods provided for self-represented litigants: by mail; by placing them in the drop box in one of the courthouse lobbies; or delivering them in person at the Clerk’s Office. Clerk’s Office and drop box hours are located on the Court’s website. Court holidays and designated administrative leave days are also posted on the Court’s website. As with any document submitted in federal court, documents submitted through ADS must comply with all relevant local and federal rules. Please remember to sign your documents in compliance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Rule 11 before submitting them to the Court. For additional guidance, please refer to the Procedural Guide for Pro Se Litigants. If you are submitting documents using ADS, do not mail additional copies of those documents to the Clerk’s Office. If submitting courtesy copies, they shall be clearly marked “courtesy copy” and mailed or delivered for Chambers ONLY if indicated in the assigned Judicial Officer’s Judicial Preferences. The ADS system is provided for your convenience. The privilege of submitting a document through ADS may be revoked due to continuous non-compliance of the ADS filing guidelines. A technical failure with ADS will not constitute an excuse for missing a filing deadline. In the event of a technical failure of ADS, users must submit documents by one of the other filing methods provided for self- represented litigants as indicated above. Please review the information below before submitting a document through ADS. Filings that May Not Be Submitted by Alternate Document Submission e Attorneys/individuals represented by attorneys cannot file using ADS and must file documents electronically using CM/ECF. Any documents submitted through ADS by attorneys will not be docketed and the attorney will not receive any response to the submission. e Sealed documents may not be filed using ADS. e USM-285 Forms e Rule 26 Discovery e Settlement position statements and/or other ex parte submissions e Documents prohibited by a confidentiality order e Unredacted documents that are not in compliance with Federal Rule Civil Procedure 5.2 e Unflattened fillable forms e Courtesy copies or other documents intended for submission to Chambers only

You may complete the Notice of Consent & Registration to Receive Documents Electronically to provide your consent to receive service of documents and Notice of Electronic Filings via the Court’s electronic filing system to the extent and in the manner authorized by Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b), and Fed. R. Civ. P. 77(d), Local Civil Rule 5.2. By and through your consent, you also waive the right to receive notice by first class mail pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b)(2)(D) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 77(d). This means that you will receive notice of court documents, as well as documents filed by other parties in the case, at the e-mail address you provide. The Court would no longer send paper copies of documents that were sent to you by e-mail. Date of Filing The date the Clerk’s Office receives a document submitted through ADS will be considered the date of filing. Please allow time for processing. Generally, filings are processed within one full business day of receipt; however, occasionally, there are times processing may take longer. How Do I Know Which Vicinage My Filing Belongs? For existing cases, you can determine the vicinage by looking at the first digit in the case number. 1: - Camden 2: - Newark 3: - Trenton Review the number listed before the colon, i.e., case number 1:24-cv-00001 would be a civil Camden case because the number before the colon is a 1. If your case is a new filing and you do not have an assigned case number, please be advised that allocation of new civil cases is guided by Local Rule 40.1(a). Cases are assigned based on the location of the first- listed defendant, where the incident took place, or based on any listed related cases. For cases involving real estate, the location of the property is used to determine the allocation. For motor vehicle accidents, cases are assigned based on the county where the accident took place. Please review the vicinage lines for case assignment located on the Court’s website to assist you in selecting the proper vicinage for submission of your filing. Upon receipt of your initiating case document(s), a member of the Clerk’s Office will review your submission to determine the proper vicinage. REMINDER: All initiating filings, i.e., Complaints and Notices of Removal, must be accompanied by a completed, flattened civil cover sheet. When filing a Notice of Removal, be sure to also include a copy of all state court pleadings.

How Will I Know When My Submission is Docketed? The Clerk’s Office will enter the documents submitted through ADS into CM/ECF. Once entered, you will receive a Notice of Electronic Filing. dvoiecwke tthineg f islyesdt edmo cautm theen te a-mt naiol caodsdtr.e Ysso yuo aur ep rsotvroidnegdly t oe nthcoe uCraoguerdt. tYoo sua vwei lol rb pe rginrat nthteed doonceu m“ferenet flooor ky”o utor records. After this free view is used or expires after 15 days, the filed document may only be accessed through Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) or obtained through the Clerk’s Office for the applicable copy work fee. You may obtain a PACER account by registering online at https://pacer.uscourts.gov. If you have not consented to receive documents electronically, you will receive a Notice of Electronic Filing via first class mail at the address you listed on your pleadings. How Can I Pay the Filing Fee for a New Case? For new cases, the Clerk’s Office will assign a case number. Once the case is processed, you will receive a Notice of Electronic Filing either electronically or via first class mail as indicated above. Once you have received your case number you can pay by credit card, check or money order. Credit card payments can be made by calling our finance department: Camden: (609) 989-0468 Newark: (973) 622-4810 Trenton: (609) 989-0468 Checks or money orders shall be made payable to “Clerk, U.S. District Court” and mailed to the office where the case was opened: Camden: Newark: Trenton: Clerk, U.S. District Court Mitchell H. Clerk, U.S. District Court Martin Clerk, U.S. District Court Clarkson Cohen Building Luther King Building S. Fisher Building & U.S. Courthouse & U.S. Courthouse & U.S. Courthouse P.O. Box 2797 50 Walnut Street 402 E. State Street Camden, NJ 08101 Newark, NJ 07102 Trenton, NJ 08608 856-757-5021 973-645-3730 609-989-2065 If you are unable to pay the filing fee, you may apply to the Court to allow you to file your complaint without the prepayment of the filing fee by submitting an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. This application must also accompany the complaint. **If you are notified that the in forma pauperis application is denied by the court, you will be required to pay the filing fee in order for the complaint to be filed and your action to commence.** Technical Requirements for Using ADS • File Size and Type: The Court will only accept files in PDF format with a size that does not exceed 35 MB. If your document exceeds 35 MB, you must split your document into smaller files and label them accordingly. If your documents do not meet these requirements, you must file by mail; by placing them in the drop box in one of the courthouse lobbies; or delivering them in person at the Clerk’s Office. Documents that do not meet these criteria will not be filed. e Filing Multiple Documents: You can submit up to 20 documents for filing in the same case as long as no individual document exceeds 35 MB. e How to Know If Your Submission Was Successful: If your submission is successful, you will see the following screen:

Success! Your files have been submitted.

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If you do not see this screen, your documents were not submitted to the Court. If you cannot successfully file using ADS, you must submit documents by one of the other filing methods provided for self- represented litigants: by mail; by placing them in the drop box in one of the courthouse lobbies; or delivering them in person at the Clerk’s Office. DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is not legal advice. All parties using this website remain responsible for complying with all applicable Court rules of procedure. If there is any conflict between the information on this website and the applicable rules, the rules govern. This website may contain links to other sites. The links on these pages are provided for your convenience. The Court makes no endorsement or warranty of quality of services by linking to an organization from this website. The Court cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy, relevance, reliability, or completeness of the information you find on other sites.

Click here to submit your documents to the District of New Jersey.