Opinion
Civil Action No. 08 1358.
July 30, 2008
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff has filed a pro se complaint and an application to proceed in forma pauperis. His application will be granted, but his complaint dismissed without prejudice for failure to comply with Rule 8 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Complaints filed by pro se litigants are held to less stringent standards than are formal pleadings drafted by lawyers. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). Nonetheless, pro se plaintiffs must comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.Jarrell v. Tisch, 656 F. Supp. 237, 239 (D.D.C. 1987). Rule 8 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure states the minimum requirements for complaints. Rule 8(a) requires that a complaint contain a short and plain statement of the grounds upon which federal jurisdiction rests, a short and plain statement showing that the plaintiff is entitled to relief, and a demand for judgment for the relief sought. Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a). The minimum requirements Rule 8 imposes are designed to provide defendants with sufficient notice of the claim or claims being asserted in order to allow defendants to prepare a responsive answer and 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). Further, compliance with Rule 8(a)'s requirements should provide a court with sufficient information to determine whether it has jurisdiction over the claims.
Here, the handwritten complaint states in its entirety as follows: "I file 1000000 against Justice Dept and associated courts with I pointed out civil rights and premeditated perjury close to facism and I wait justice which probably won't occur due to gov corruption PA was pointed out plus bogus VA Administration more elaborate examples could be pointed out taking advantage of handicapped veteran in various degrees. Disabled American amendment should be looked [at] and modified." This complaint does not meet the minimum requirements of Rule 8. Accordingly, the complaint will be dismissed without prejudice to refile. A related Order accompanies this Memorandum Opinion.