Opinion
2:23-cv-00054-CDS-BNW
02-24-2023
Merlin Lkent Williams, Plaintiff, v. State of Mississippi, et. al., Defendants.
ORDER
BRENDA WEKSLER, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Pro se plaintiff filed documents initiating this case on January 10, 2023. ECF No. 1. His request to proceed in forma pauperis is at ECF No. 11. Plaintiff's complaint is at ECF No. 2-1. As explained below, the Court will hold his request to proceed in forma pauperis in abeyance until after it reviews his amended complaint, if one is filed.
I. ANALYSIS
A. Screening standard
Upon granting a request to proceed in forma pauperis, a court must screen the complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). In screening the complaint, a court must identify cognizable claims and dismiss claims that are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim on which relief may be granted or seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). Dismissal for failure to state a claim under § 1915(e)(2) incorporates the standard for failure to state a claim under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). Watison v. Carter, 668 F.3d 1108, 1112 (9th Cir. 2012). To survive § 1915 review, a complaint must “contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” See Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). The court liberally construes pro se complaints and may only dismiss them “if it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of his claim which would entitle him to relief.” Nordstrom v. Ryan, 762 F.3d 903, 908 (9th Cir. 2014) (quoting Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678).
In considering whether the complaint is sufficient to state a claim, all allegations of material fact are taken as true and construed in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. Wyler Summit P'ship v. Turner Broad. Sys. Inc., 135 F.3d 658, 661 (9th Cir. 1998) (citation omitted). Although the standard under Rule 12(b)(6) does not require detailed factual allegations, a plaintiff must provide more than mere labels and conclusions. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007). A formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action is insufficient. Id. But unless it is clear the complaint's deficiencies could not be cured through amendment, a pro se plaintiff should be given leave to amend the complaint with notice regarding the complaint's deficiencies. Cato v. United States, 70 F.3d 1103, 1106 (9th Cir. 1995).
B. Screening the Complaint
Here, even liberally construing the amended complaint in Williams' favor, it fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Williams' handwriting is mostly illegible, making it impossible for the court to decipher all his allegations. In turn, the Court cannot evaluate whether Plaintiff states any claims for relief. The Court has noted this before. See ECF No. 6. The Court, therefore, will dismiss the complaint without prejudice for Williams to file a First Amended Complaint. If Williams chooses to file a First Amended Complaint, it must be clearly printed or typed and double-spaced.
The First Amended Complaint must be complete in and of itself. If Plaintiff chooses to file an amended complaint, he is advised that an amended complaint supersedes the original complaint and, thus, the amended complaint must be complete by itself. See Hal Roach Studios, Inc. v. Richard Feiner & Co., Inc., 896 F.2d 1542, 1546 (9th Cir. 1989) (holding that “[t]he fact that a party was named in the original complaint is irrelevant; an amended pleading supersedes the original”). Plaintiff's amended complaint must contain all claims, defendants, and factual allegations that Plaintiff wishes to pursue in this lawsuit. Moreover, Plaintiff must file his amended complaint on this Court's approved form, which the Clerk of Court will send Plaintiff.
I. CONCLUSION
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Plaintiff's Complaint (ECF No. 1-1) is dismissed without prejudice and with leave to amend.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of Court shall mail Plaintiff a copy of the prisoner pro se form complaint.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if Plaintiff chooses to amend his complaint, he must do so by March 24, 2023. If Plaintiff chooses not to amend his complaint, this Court will recommend that his case be dismissed.