Opinion
Case: 1:16-cv-01017
05-24-2016
STANLEY BAKER, Plaintiff, v. U.S. HOUSING AUTHORITY, Defendant
Assigned To : Unassigned
Assign. Date : 5/31/2016
Description: Pro Se Gen. Civ. MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter comes before the court on review of plaintiff's application to proceed in forma pauperis and pro se civil complaint. The Court will grant the application, and dismiss the complaint.
The Court has reviewed the plaintiff's 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 U.S. 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.R.D. 497, 498 (D.D.C. 1977).
The Court has reviewed the complaint, and finds that it does not state a basis for this Court's jurisdiction, articulate a viable claim, or demands any particular relief. As drafted, the complaint utterly fails to comply with Rule 8(a) and, therefore, the Court will dismiss this case. An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately.
/s/_________
United States District Judge DATE: May 24, 2016