Opinion
Case: 1:15-cv-01185
07-21-2015
ROBERT G. MODRALL, Plaintiff, v. MARIE A. O'ROURKE, Defendant.
Assigned To : Unassigned
Assign. Date : 7/22/2015
Description: Pro Se Gen. Civil (F Deck)
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the Court on plaintiff's application to proceed in forma pauperis and his pro se civil complaint. The application will be granted, and the complaint will be dismissed.
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 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).
According to plaintiff, defendant has been "grossly negligent in her duties," has committed "criminal misconduct . . . considerable hardship and distress to the victims she is sworn to serve and puts the lives of tens perhaps hundreds of thousands of innocent young people at risk." Compl. ¶ 4. Plaintiff does not identify a particular action (or inaction) by defendant that is negligent or criminal in nature, and his complaint does not otherwise include a statement showing that he is entitled to the relief he demands. The complaint therefore will be dismissed. An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately. DATE: 7/21/2015
/s/_________
United States District Judge