Opinion
Civil Action No. 08 1820.
October 3, 2008
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the Court on its initial review of plaintiff's pro se complaint and application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. The Court will grant the in forma pauperis application and dismiss the case because the complaint fails to meet the minimal pleading requirements of Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Pro se litigants 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 complaints to contain "(1) a short and plain statement of the grounds for the court's jurisdiction [and] (2) a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief." Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a); see Ciralsky v. CIA, 355 F.3d 661, 668-71 (D.C. Cir. 2004). The Rule 8 standard ensures that defendants receive fair notice of the claim being asserted so that they can prepare a responsive answer and 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).
Plaintiff, a resident of Washington, D.C., sues two individuals identified as her landlords. She accuses the defendants of "attempt[ing] to elude and obstruct Justice in said District of Columbia," apparently by "procur[ing] services for maintenance outside of the District of Columbia." Compl. at 3. Beyond that vague accusation, the complaint is incoherent and, thus, fails to provide any notice of a claim or the basis of federal court jurisdiction. A separate Order of dismissal accompanies this Memorandum Opinion.