Opinion
Civil Action 21-2235 (UNA)
08-27-2021
R.L. BROOKS, Jr., Plaintiff, v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Defendant.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
EMMET G. SULLIVAN United States District Judge
This matter is before the Court on consideration of the plaintiff's application to proceed in forma pauperis, pro se complaint, and motions. For the reasons discussed below, the Court grants the application, dismisses the complaint, and denies the motions as moot.
What begins as a complaint pertaining to plaintiff's application to the Metropolitan Police Department for a parade permit jumps from topic to topic, to include criminal proceedings against him, assaults and physical injuries sustained while incarcerated, kidnapping, and the arrest of his brother, among others.
The Court has reviewed 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 claims being asserted such that they can prepare a responsive answer, prepare an adequate defense, and determine whether the doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498 (D.D.C. 1977).
As drafted, plaintiff's pro se complaint fails to comply with the minimal pleading standard set forth in Rule 8(a). There are not sufficient facts alleged to state a viable legal claim, and certainly too few facts to show an entitlement to an award of $10,000. Therefore, the Court will grant the application to proceed in forma pauperis, deny plaintiff's motions, and dismiss the complaint without prejudice. An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately.