The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY
ENOMEN JOHN OKOGUN,
Plaintiff, Civil Action No. 22-2563 (MAS) (TJB)
MEMORANDUM ORDER
CAPTAIN KEVIN CREEGAN, ef al,
Defendants.
This matter comes before the Court on pro se Plaintiff Enomen John Okogun’s (“Plaintiff”)
filing of his Amended Complaint. (ECF No. 11.) Because the Court granted Plaintiff's in forma
pauperis (“IFP”) Application (ECF No. 7), the Court must screen his Amended Complaint
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).
Plaintiff filed his original complaint on April 29, 2022 (Compl., ECF No. 1), and attached
his IFP Application (IFP Appl., ECF No. 1-3).! On August 11, 2023, the Court granted Plaintiff's
IFP application and dismissed his original complaint because he failed to allege facts that
connected in any meaningful way to his claims. (See generally Mem. Op., ECF No. 7.) The Court
also granted Plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint (see id.), which he did on September 18,
2023 (Am. Compl., ECF No. 11).
Section 1915(e)(2) requires the Court to screen Plaintiff's Amended Complaint and to
dismiss any claim that is frivolous or malicious, fails to state a claim, or seeks monetary relief
against a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i)-Giii). When
' The Court initially denied Plaintiff's IFP Application on January 10, 2023 (ECF No. 3), and
thereafter Plaintiff moved for reconsideration (ECF No. 4) and filed a Second IFP Application on
January 23, 2023 on August 11, 2023 (Second IFP Appl., ECF No. 5).
evaluating a claim under § 1915(e)(2), the Court applies the same standard that governs a motion
to dismiss pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure? 12(b)(6). Grayson v, Mayview State Hosp.,
293 F.3d 103, 112 (3d Cir. 2002). In order to survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, a
complaint must contain “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Bell
Ail. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007). “A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff
pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is
liable for the misconduct alleged.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009). The Court
construes pleadings filed by pro se plaintiffs liberally and holds them to a less stringent standard
than those filed by attorneys, Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972), but “pro se litigants still
must allege sufficient facts in their complaints to support a claim,” Mala v. Crown Bay Marina,
Inc., 704 F.3d 239, 245 (3d Cir. 2019).
Here, Plaintiff's Amended Complaint fails to comply with Rule 8. Ln short, the Amended
Complaint is neither “simple, concise, [nor] direct.” See Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(d)(1). While the Court
granted Plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint, Plaintiff returned to the Court with an
Amended Complaint that spans over 350 pages, including exhibits, compared to his original
complaint, which was five pages. (Compare Am. Compl., with Compl.) In a similar case filed by
Plaintiff, with a majority of the same facts, Okogun v. Trustees of Princeton University
(“Okogun P’), the Third Circuit affirmed this Court’s dismissal of his complaint because it included
irrelevant facts, anecdotes, and indecipherable claims; covered an unnecessarily long time period;
and was “so voluminous and unfocused that it [wa]s impossible to identify what about [Plaintiff]’s
encounters . . . could support any claim for relief regarding a violation of his state or federal
constitutional rights.” 2024 WL 1427585, at *2 (3d Cir. Mar. 21, 2024).
All references to “Rule” or “Rules” hereinafter refer to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
As in Okogun I, Plaintiff's Amended Complaint unnecessarily spans 192 pages and
includes an additional 174 pages of exhibits. (See generally Am. Compl.) The Amended Complaint
includes irrelevant facts, various anecdotes, and background information from as early as 2014,
approximately eight years before the original complaint was filed. (See id. {| 32-683.) It is within
this Court’s discretion to dismiss “an excessively prolix and overlong complaint.” Garrett v.
Wexford Health, 938 F.3d 69, 93 (3d Cir. 2019). Courts have famously stated that “judges are not
like pigs, hunting for truffles buried [in the record].” Murthy v. Missouri, 603 U.S. 43, 67 n.7
(2024) (using the phrase in reference to plaintiff's burden to establish standing by setting forth
specific facts); United States v. Morton, 993 F.3d 198, 204 n.10 (3d Cir, 2021) (using the phrase
in reference to uncited references to the record on appeal); Singh v. Township of Weehawken, No.
15-3478, 2019 WL 13098595, at *2 (D.N.J. Feb. 7, 2019) (using the phrase in reference to making
arguments) (“[T]his Court has frequently instructed parties that they bear the responsibility to
comb the record and point the Court to the facts that support their arguments.” (citation omitted)).
As such, the Court declines to “hunt” for relevant facts “buried” in Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint
to support his allegations.
The Court will afford Plaintiff one final opportunity to file a second amended complaint
that complies with Rule 8. Such pleading should contain a short and plain statement limited to the
necessary facts and must explain which specific facts support each cause of action. The Court
highlights that the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey’s Procedural Guide
for Pro Se Litigants? may assist Plaintiff in filing a second amended complaint.
> Procedural Guide for Pro Se Litigants,
http://www.njd.uscourts.gov/sites/njd/files/ProSeGuide. pdf.
IT IS, THEREFORE, on this 30th day of April 2025, ORDERED as follows:
I. Plaintiff's Amended Complaint (ECF No. 11) is DISMISSED without prejudice.
2. Plaintiff may file a second amended complaint within forty-five (45) days from
entry of this Memorandum Order.
3, The Clerk is directed to affix a copy of the Procedural Guide for Pro Se Litigants
to the entry of this Memorandum Order.
MA df 7
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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This information is provided merely as a guide to Pro Se Litigants. You should not rely on this
information alone. Moreover, any complaint may be subject to dismissal on a variety of grounds.
December 2024
UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURT
DISTRICTOFNEWJERSEY
IMPORTANTINFORMATION–PLEASEREADCAREFULLY
INSTRUCTIONSFORFILINGACIVILACTIONBYANON-PRISONER
__________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONSANDPROCEDURES
CIVILCOMPLAINT–Acivilactioniscommencedbyfilingacomplaintwiththecourt. Youmust
completeandsubmitanoriginalandtwocopiesoftheenclosedcomplaintformaswellasthe
CivilCoverSheet. YoushouldalsokeepanadditionalcopyofanydocumentfiledwiththeCourt
foryourownrecords. Allcopiesofthecomplaintmustbeidenticaltotheoriginal.
FILINGFEE–Thefilingfeeforacivilcomplaintis$405.00.WeacceptCreditCards,Checksand
MoneyOrdersthatshouldbemadepayableto:Clerk,UnitedStatesDistrictCourt.
FILINGINFORMAPAUPERIS–Ifyouareunabletopaythefilingfee,youmayapplytothe
Courttoallowyoutofileyourcomplaintwithouttheprepaymentofthefilingfee. Formsfor
youruseareenclosedinthisproceduralguide. Theseformsmustalsoaccompanythe
complaint.
**Ifyouarenotifiedthattheinformapauperisapplicationisdeniedbythecourt,youwillbe
requiredtopaythefilingfeeinorderforthecomplainttobefiledandyouractiontobe
commenced.**
SUMMONS–Summonsesshallbeissuedelectronicallyandmailedtotheplaintiffwhen,1)the
Filingfeehasbeenpaidor2)theJudgepermitsthePlaintifftoproceedinformapauperis.
Thereisnoneedtosubmitasummonswithyourcomplaint.RefertoRule4oftheFederal
RulesofCivilProcedureforinstructionsonhowtoserveasummonsonadefendant.
CamdenClerk’sOffice NewarkClerk’sOffice TrentonClerk’sOffice
MitchellH.CohenU.S.Courthouse MartinLutherKingJr.FederalBldg ClarksonS.FisherBldg.&
OneJohnF.GerryPlaza,P.OBox2797 &U.S.Courthouse U.S.Courthouse
Fourth&CooperStreets,Room1050 50WalnutSt. 402EastStateStreet, Rm2020
Camden,NJ08101 Newark,NJ07101 Trenton,NJ08608
PLEASEDONOTseektheassistanceofanemployeeoftheClerk’sOfficetoadviseyouinthismatter.
TheClerk’sOffice,underTitle28U.S.C.§955,isprohibitedfromprovidinganytypeoflegaladvice.
TheUnitedStatesDistrictCourt,DistrictofNewJerseyWebsitecanbefoundat:www.njd.uscourts.gov
TRIBUNAL FEDERAL DE PRIMERAINSTANCIA
DISTRITO DE NUEVAJERSEY
INFORMACIÓN IMPORTANTE – SÍRVASE LEER DETENIDAMENTE
INSTRUCCIONES PARA PERSONAS NO ENCARCELADAS QUE
PRESENTAN UNA DEMANDA CIVIL
INSTRUCCIONES Y PROCEDIMIENTOS
DEMANDA CIVIL – Una acción civil se inicia al presentar una demanda ante el tribunal. Deberá
llenar y entregar el original y dos copias del formulario de demanda adjunto, así como la Carátula
para Acciones Civiles. Deberá, además, guardar una copia de todo documento que presente ante el
tribunal para sus archivos. Las copias de la demanda deben ser idénticas al original.
CUOTA DE REGISTRO– Para una demanda civil, se cobra una cuota de registro de $US 405.00.
Se aceptan tarjetas de crédito, cheques y giros postales, pagables a: Clerk, United States District
Court.
CÓMOPRESENTARUNA DEMANDAINFORMAPAUPERIS–Sino cuentaconlos
recursos para pagar la cuota de registro, podrá solicitarle al Tribunal permiso para presentar la
demanda sin tener que pagar la cuota de registro de antemano. E n est a gu í a d e
procedimientos s e incl uyen form ul arios que puede us ar para
es e fin. Deberá i nclui r di chos form ul arios con su dem and a.
**Si se le notifica que el Tribunal ha denegado su petición in forma pauperis, se le exigirá pagar la
cuota de registro para que la demanda se registre y para que se pueda iniciar su acción.**
ÓRDENESDE COMPARECENCIA–Lasórdenesdecomparecenciaseemitirán
electrónicamente y serán enviadas al Demandante cuando 1) se haya pagado la cuota de registro o
2)el Juez le haya permitido al Demandante proceder in forma pauperis. No es necesario que Ud.
incluya una orden de comparecencia con su demanda. Remítase a la Norma 4 de las Normas
Federales Procesales Civiles para obtener instrucciones acerca de cómo notificar al Demandado.
CamdenClerk’sOffice NewarkClerk’sOffice TrentonClerk’sOffice
Mitchell H. Cohen U.S. Courthouse MartinLuther King Jr. Federal Bldg. Clarkson S. Fisher Bldg. &
One John F. Gerry Plaza, P.O. Box 1297 & U.S. Courthouse U.S. Courthouse
Fourth& Cooper Streets,Room 1050 50 Walnut St. 402East StateStreet, Rm.2020
Camden,NJ08101 Newark,NJ07101 Trenton,NJ08608
TENGA LA BONDAD DE NO pedir ayuda ni tampoco asesoría a los empleados de la Oficina del
Secretario (Clerk’s Office). Bajo el Título 28 del Código de los Estados Unidos, Artículo 955, se le
prohíbe a la Oficina del Secretario proporcionar asesoramiento legal.
ElsitiowebdelTribunalFederaldePrimeraInstanciadelDistritodeNuevaJerseyseencuentraen:
List of Attachments:
1. GlossaryofTerms
2. PrivacyNotice
3. CivilCaseTimeline
4. (JS-44)CivilCoverSheet
5. ComplaintForm
6. (AO-239)ApplicationtoProceedinDistrictCourtWithoutPrepayingCourtFeesorCosts
7. Consent&RegistrationFormtoReceiveDocumentsElectronically
8. HelpfulHints
9. MotionGuide
10.AppendixK:ScheduleofFees
11. ADS - Pro Se Submission System
Glossary decidescases;chiefjudgesaredetermined
byseniority.
ADVERSARYPROCESS–themethodcourts CLERKOFCOURT–anofficerappointedby
usetoresolvedisputes;throughthe thecourttoworkwiththechiefjudgein
adversaryprocess,eachsideinadispute overseeingthecourt’sadministration,
presentsitscaseaspersuasivelyaspossible, especiallytoassistinmanagingtheflowof
subjecttotherulesofevidence,andan casesthroughthecourt.
independentfactfinder,eitherjudgeor
COMPLAINT–awrittenstatementbythe
jury,decidesforonesideortheother.
personstartingalawsuit;thecomplaint
ANSWER -theformalwrittenstatementby statesthewrongsallegedlycommittedby
adefendantrespondingtoacomplaintand thedefendant.
settingforththegroundsfordefense.
CONTRACT–anagreementbetweentwoor
APPEAL–arequest,madeafteratrial, morepersonsthatcreatesanobligationto
askinganothercourt(usuallythecourtof doornottodoaparticularthing.
appeals)todecidewhetherthetrialwas
COUNSEL–alawyerorateamoflawyers;
conductedproperly.Tomakesucha
thetermisoftenusedduringatrialtorefer
requestis“toappeal”or“totakean
tolawyersinthecase.
appeal.”
COURT–anagencyofgovernment
BENCHTRIAL–atrialwithoutajury,in
authorizedtoresolvelegaldisputes.Judges
whichthejudgedecidesthefacts.
sometimesuse“court”toreferto
BRIEF–awrittenstatementsubmittedby themselvesinthe,thirdperson,asin“the
thelawyerforeachsideinanappellatecase courthasreadthepleadings.”
thatexplainstothejudgeswhytheyshould
COURTREPORTER–apersonwhomakesa
decidethecaseinfavorofthatlawyer’s
word-forwardrecordofwhatissaidincourt
client.
andproducesatranscriptoftheproceeding
CASELAW–thelawaslaiddowninthe ifrequestedtodoso.
decisionsofthecourts; thelawincases
COUNTERCLAIM–acounter-demandmade
thathavebeendecided.
bydefendantagainsttheplaintiff.Itisnota
CHAMBERS - theofficesofajudge. meredenialofplaintiff’sallegations,but
ratherassertsanindependentcauseof
CHIEFDISTRICTJUDGE–thejudgewhohas
action,thepurposeofwhichistoopposeor
primaryresponsibilityforthe
deductfromplaintiff’sclaim.
administrationofthedistrictcourt,butalso
COURTROOMDEPUTYorCLERK–acourt GOVERNMENT–asitisusedinfederal
employeewhoassitsthejudgebykeeping criminalcases,“government”referstothe
trackofwitnesses,evidence,andothertrial lawyersintheU.S.attorney’sofficewhoare
matters. prosecutingthecase.
CROSS-CLAIM–apleadingwhichassertsa HEARSAY–evidencethatispresentedbya
claimarisingoutofthesamesubjectmatter witnesswhodidnotseeorhearthe
astheoriginalcomplaintagainstaco-party. incidentinquestionbutheardaboutitfrom
Forexample,aco-defendantmayfilea someoneelse. Hearsayevidenceisusually
cross-claimagainstanotherco-defendant notadmissibleasevidenceintrial.
forcontributionforanydamagesassessed
INSTRUCTIONS–thejudge’sexplanationto
againstthecross-claimant.
thejury,beforeitbeginsdeliberations,of
CROSS (andRE-CROSS)EXAMINATION– thequestionsitmustanswerandthelaw
questionsaskedbylawyersofwitnesses governingthecase.
calledbytheiropponents.
JUDGE–agovernmentofficialwith
DAMAGES–moneypaidbydefendantsto authoritytodecidelawsuitsbroughtbefore
successfulplaintiffsincivilcasesto courts.
compensatetheplaintiffsfortheirinjuries.
JURISDICTION–(1)thelegalauthorityofa
DEFENDANT–inacivilsuit,theperson courttohearanddecideacase;(2)the
complainedagainst;inacriminalcase,the geographicareaoverwhichthecourthas
personaccusedofthecrime. authoritytodecidecases.
DIRECT(andRE-DIRECT)EXAMINATION– LAWSUIT–anactionstartedbyaplaintiff
questionsaskedbylawyersofwitnesses againstadefendantbasedonacomplaint
theyhaveaskedtocometocourtinorder thatthedefendantcommittedacrimeor
tobringoutevidenceforthefactfinder. failedtoperformalegalduty.
DISCOVERY–lawyers’examination,before LITIGANTS–seePARTIES.
trial,offactsanddocumentsinpossession
MAGISTRATEJUDGE–infederalcourt,the
oftheopponents,tohelpthelawyers
U.S.magistratejudgeisajudicialofficer
preparefortrial.
whoassiststhedistrictjudgesingetting
EVIDENCE–informationintestimonyorin casesreadyfortrial.Magistratesjudges
documentsthatispresentedtopersuade alsomaydecidesomecriminaltrialsand
thefactfinder(judgeorjury)todecidethe maydecideciviltrialswhenbothparties
caseforonesideortheother. agreetohavethecaseheardbya
magistratejudgeinsteadofadistrictjudge.
Moregenerally,theterm"magistrate"
referstovariouspublicofficers,often PLAINTIFF–thepersonwhofilesthe
judicialofficerswithlessauthoritythan complaintinacivillawsuit.
federalmagistratesjudges.
PLEADINGS–inacivilcase,thewritten
MOTION–anapplicationmadetoacourt statementsofthepartiesstatingtheir
orjudgeforanorder,ruling,orthelike positionaboutthecase.
OPINION–ajudge’swrittenexplanationof PRECEDENT–acourtdecisioninanearlier
adecisioninacase. AnOpinionofthe casewithfactssimilartoadisputecurrently
Courtexplainsthedecisionofthecourtor beforeacourt.
ofamajorityofthejudges. ADissenting
PRETRIALCONFERENCE–ameetingofthe
Opinionisanexplanationbyoneormore
judgeandlawyerstodecidewhichmatters
judgesofwhytheybelievethedecisionor
areindisputeandshouldbepresentedto
opinionofthecourtiswrong.AConcurring
thejury,toreviewevidenceandwitnesses
Opinionagreeswiththedecisionofthe
tobepresented,tosetatimetableforthe
courtbutoffersfurthercomment.
case,andsometimestodiscusssettlement
ORALARGUMENT–inappellatecases,an ofthecase.
opportunityforthelawyersforeachsideto
PROSE–aLatintermmeaning“onone’s
summarizetheirpositionforthejudgesand
ownbehalf”;incourts,itreferstopersons
answerthejudges’questions.
whotrytheirowncaseswithoutlawyers.
PANEL–(1)inappellatecases,agroupof
PROSECUTE–tochargesomeonewitha
threejudgesassignedtodecidethecase;(2)
crimeinacivilviolationandseektogaina
intheprocessofjuryselection,thegroupof
criminalconvictionoraciviljudgment.
potentialjurorsbroughtinforvoirdire.
RECORD–awrittenaccountofalltheacts
PARTIES–theplaintiff(s)anddefendant(s)
andproceedingsinalawsuit.
toalawsuitandtheirlawyers.
REMAND–whenanappellatecourtsendsa
PETITJURY(orTRIALJURY)–agroupof
casebacktoalowercourtforfurther
citizenswhoheartheevidencepresented
proceedings.
bybothsidesattrialanddeterminethe
factsindispute. Federalcriminaljuries REVERSE–whenanappellatecourtsets
consistof12persons(sometimeswith1or asidethedecisionofalowercourtbecause
2alternatejurorsincaseoneofthetwelve ofanerror. Areversalisoftenfollowedby
cannotcontinue). Federalciviljuriesusually aremand.
consistof6persons,withalternates.“Petit”
isFrenchfor“small”,thusdistinguishingthe SETTLE–inlegalterminology,whenthe
trialjuryfromthelargergrandjury. partiestoalawsuitagreetoresolvetheir
differencesamongthemselveswithout WITNESS–apersoncalleduponbyeither
havingatrial. sideinalawsuit
SIDEBAR–aconferencebetweenthejudge
andlawyersheldoutoftheearshotofthe
juryandspectators.
STATUTE–alawpassedbyalegislature.
SUMMARYJUDGMENT–adecisionmade
onthebasisofstatementsandevidence
presentedfortherecordwithoutanyneed
foratrial. Itisusedwhenthereisno
disputeastothefactsofthecaseandone
partyisentitledtojudgmentasamatterof
law.
TESTIMONY–evidencepresentedorallyby
witnessesduringtrialsorbeforegrand
juries.
TRANSCRIPT–awritten,word-for-word
recordofwhatwassaid,eitherina
proceedingsuchasatrialorduringsome
otherconversation,asina“transcript”ofa
telephoneconversation.
UPHOLD–whenanappellatecourtdoes
notreversealowercourtdecision.
U.S.ATTORNEY–alawyerappointedbythe
President,ineachjudicialdistrict,to
prosecutecasesforthefederal
government.
VERDICT–apetitjury’sdecision.
VOIRDIRE–theprocessbywhichjudges
andlawyersselectapetitjuryfromamong
thoseeligibletoserve. “Voirdire”isalegal
phrasemeaning“tospeakthetruth.”
UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURT
DISTRICTOFNEWJERSEY
PRIVACYNOTICE
PleasebeadvisedthatdocumentsfiledincasespendingintheUnitedStatesDistrictCourtfortheDistrictofNew
JerseyareavailabletothepublicviatheCourt’selectronicaccesssystemPACER(PublicAccesstoCourtElectronic
Records).PACERisanautomatedsystemthat,forafee,allowsanindividualtoview,printanddownloadcourt
docketinformationovertheinternet.
TheFederalRulesofCivilProcedurerequirethefilerofadocumenttoredactthefollowingpersonalidentifiers
fromthedocument:
1) SocialSecurityNumberstothelastfourdigits;
2) Financialaccountnumberstothelastfourdigits;
3) Namesofminorchildrentotheinitials;
4) Datesofbirthtotheyear;and
5) Homeaddressestothecityandstate–Partiesfilingprosemustincludetheircompletemailing
addressforpurposesofsendingnotices,orders,etc.
Thefilerofthedocumenthasthesoleresponsibilityforredactingthisinformationfromthedocument. The
ClerkwillNOTrevieweachfilingforredaction.
IncompliancewiththeE-GovernmentActof2002,apartywishingtofileadocumentcontainingthepersonaldata
identifierslistedabovemayfileanunredacteddocumentunderseal. LitigantsshallfileaNoticeofMotionto
permittheunredacteddocumentscontainingpersonalidentifierstobefiledunderseal.
Becausefilingswillbeavailableelectronicallyandmaycontaininformationimplicatingnotonlyprivacybutalso
personalsecurityconcerns,thecourtencouragescounselandproselitigantstoexercisecautionwhenfilinga
documentthatcontainsanyofthefollowinginformation:
1) Anypersonalidentifyingnumber,suchasadriver’slicensenumber;
2) Medicalrecords,treatmentanddiagnosis;
3) Employmenthistory;
4) Individualfinancialinformation;
5) Proprietaryortradesecretinformation;
6) Informationregardingandindividuals’cooperationwiththegovernment;
7) Informationregardingthevictimoranycriminalactivity;
8) Nationalsecurityinformation
9) Sensitivesecurityinformationasdescribedin49U.S.C.§114(s).
ItistheresponsibilityofthefilertobesurethatalldocumentsandpleadingscomplywiththerulesofthisCourt
inconnectionwiththeredactionofpersonalidentifiers.
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I. (a) PLAINTIFFS DEFENDANTS
(b) CountyofResidenceofFirstListedPlaintiff CountyofResidenceofFirstListedDefendant
(EXCEPTINU.S.PLAINTIFFCASES) (INU.S.PLAINTIFFCASESONLY)
NOTE: INLANDCONDEMNATIONCASES,USETHELOCATIONOF
THETRACTOFLANDINVOLVED.
(c) Attorneys(FirmName,Address,andTelephoneNumber) Attorneys(IfKnown)
II. BASISOFJURISDICTION(Placean“X”inOneBoxOnly) III.CITIZENSHIPOFPRINCIPALPARTIES(Placean“X”inOneBoxforPlaintiff
(ForDiversityCasesOnly) andOneBoxforDefendant)
1 U.S.Government 3 FederalQuestion PTF DEF PTF DEF
Plaintiff (U.S.GovernmentNotaParty) CitizenofThisState 1 1 IncorporatedorPrincipalPlace 4 4
ofBusinessInThisState
2 U.S.Government 4 Diversity CitizenofAnotherState 2 2 IncorporatedandPrincipalPlace 5 5
Defendant (IndicateCitizenshipofPartiesinItemIII) ofBusinessInAnotherState
CitizenorSubjectofa 3 3 ForeignNation 6 6
ForeignCountry
IV. NATUREOFSUIT(Placean“X”inOneBoxOnly) Clickherefor:NatureofSuitCodeDescriptions.
CONTRACT TORTS FORFEITURE/PENALTY BANKRUPTCY OTHERSTATUTES
110Insurance PERSONALINJURY PERSONALINJURY 625DrugRelatedSeizure 422Appeal28USC158 375FalseClaimsAct
120Marine 310Airplane 365PersonalInjury - ofProperty21USC881 423Withdrawal 376QuiTam(31USC
130MillerAct 315AirplaneProduct ProductLiability 690Other 28USC157 3729(a))
140NegotiableInstrument Liability 367HealthCare/ INTELLECTUAL 400StateReapportionment
150RecoveryofOverpayment 320Assault,Libel& Pharmaceutical PROPERTYRIGHTS 410Antitrust
&EnforcementofJudgment Slander PersonalInjury 820Copyrights 430BanksandBanking
151MedicareAct 330FederalEmployers’ ProductLiability 830Patent 450Commerce
152RecoveryofDefaulted Liability 368AsbestosPersonal 835Patent-Abbreviated 460Deportation
StudentLoans 340Marine InjuryProduct NewDrugApplication 470RacketeerInfluencedand
(ExcludesVeterans) 345MarineProduct Liability 840Trademark CorruptOrganizations
153RecoveryofOverpayment Liability PERSONALPROPERTY LABOR 880DefendTradeSecrets 480ConsumerCredit
ofVeteran’sBenefits 350MotorVehicle 370OtherFraud 710FairLaborStandards Actof2016 (15USC1681or1692)
160Stockholders’Suits 355MotorVehicle 371TruthinLending Act 485TelephoneConsumer
190OtherContract ProductLiability 380OtherPersonal 720Labor/Management SOCIALSECURITY ProtectionAct
195ContractProductLiability 360OtherPersonal PropertyDamage Relations 861HIA(1395ff) 490Cable/SatTV
196Franchise Injury 385PropertyDamage 740RailwayLaborAct 862BlackLung(923) 850Securities/Commodities/
362PersonalInjury- ProductLiability 751FamilyandMedical 863DIWC/DIWW(405(g)) Exchange
MedicalMalpractice LeaveAct 864SSIDTitleXVI 890OtherStatutoryActions
REALPROPERTY CIVILRIGHTS PRISONERPETITIONS 790OtherLaborLitigation 865RSI(405(g)) 891AgriculturalActs
210LandCondemnation 440OtherCivilRights HabeasCorpus: 791EmployeeRetirement 893EnvironmentalMatters
220Foreclosure 441Voting 463AlienDetainee IncomeSecurityAct FEDERALTAXSUITS 895FreedomofInformation
230RentLease&Ejectment 442Employment 510MotionstoVacate 870Taxes(U.S.Plaintiff Act
240TortstoLand 443Housing/ Sentence orDefendant) 896Arbitration
245TortProductLiability Accommodations 530General 871IRS—ThirdParty 899AdministrativeProcedure
290AllOtherRealProperty 445Amer.w/Disabilities- 535DeathPenalty IMMIGRATION 26USC7609 Act/RevieworAppealof
Employment Other: 462NaturalizationApplication AgencyDecision
446Amer.w/Disabilities- 540Mandamus&Other 465OtherImmigration 950Constitutionalityof
Other 550CivilRights Actions StateStatutes
448Education 555PrisonCondition
560CivilDetainee-
Conditionsof
Confinement
V. ORIGIN(Placean“X”inOneBoxOnly)
1 Original 2 Removedfrom 3 Remandedfrom 4 Reinstatedor 5 Transferredfrom 6 Multidistrict 8Multidistrict
Proceeding StateCourt AppellateCourt Reopened AnotherDistrict Litigation- Litigation-
(specify) Transfer DirectFile
CitetheU.S.CivilStatuteunderwhichyouarefiling(Donotcitejurisdictionalstatutesunlessdiversity):
VI. CAUSEOFACTION
Briefdescriptionofcause:
VII. REQUESTEDIN CHECKIFTHISISACLASSACTION DEMAND$ CHECKYESonlyifdemandedincomplaint:
COMPLAINT: UNDERRULE23,F.R.Cv.P. JURYDEMAND: Yes No
VIII. RELATEDCASE(S)
IFANY (Seeinstructions): JUDGE DOCKETNUMBER
DATE SIGNATUREOFATTORNEYOFRECORD
TheJS44civilcoversheetandtheinformationcontainedhereinneitherreplacesnorsupplementsthefilingsandserviceofpleadingorotherpapersas
requiredbylaw,exceptasprovidedbylocalrulesofcourt. Thisform,approvedbytheJudicialConferenceoftheUnitedStatesinSeptember1974,is
requiredfortheuseoftheClerkofCourtforthepurposeofinitiatingthecivildocketsheet. Consequently,acivilcoversheetissubmittedtotheClerkof
Courtforeachcivilcomplaintfiled. Theattorneyfilingacaseshouldcompletetheformasfollows:
I.(a) Plaintiffs-Defendants. Enternames(last,first,middleinitial)ofplaintiffanddefendant. Iftheplaintiffordefendantisagovernmentagency,use
onlythefullnameorstandardabbreviations.Iftheplaintiffordefendantisanofficialwithinagovernmentagency,identifyfirsttheagencyandthen
theofficial,givingbothnameandtitle.
(b) CountyofResidence. Foreachcivilcasefiled,exceptU.S.plaintiffcases,enterthenameofthecountywherethefirstlistedplaintiffresidesatthe
timeoffiling.InU.S.plaintiffcases,enterthenameofthecountyinwhichthefirstlisteddefendantresidesatthetimeoffiling.(NOTE:Inland
condemnationcases,thecountyofresidenceofthe"defendant"isthelocationofthetractoflandinvolved.)
(c) Attorneys. Enterthefirmname,address,telephonenumber,andattorneyofrecord. Ifthereareseveralattorneys,listthemonanattachment,noting
inthissection"(seeattachment)".
II. Jurisdiction. ThebasisofjurisdictionissetforthunderRule8(a),F.R.Cv.P.,whichrequiresthatjurisdictionsbeshowninpleadings. Placean"X"
inoneoftheboxes.Ifthereismorethanonebasisofjurisdiction,precedenceisgivenintheordershownbelow.
UnitedStatesplaintiff. (1)Jurisdictionbasedon28U.S.C.1345and1348. SuitsbyagenciesandofficersoftheUnitedStatesareincludedhere.
UnitedStatesdefendant. (2)WhentheplaintiffissuingtheUnitedStates,itsofficersoragencies,placean"X"inthisbox.
Federalquestion. (3)Thisreferstosuitsunder28U.S.C.1331,wherejurisdictionarisesundertheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,anamendment
totheConstitution,anactofCongressoratreatyoftheUnitedStates.IncaseswheretheU.S.isaparty,theU.S.plaintiffordefendantcodetakes
precedence,andbox1or2shouldbemarked.
Diversityofcitizenship. (4)Thisreferstosuitsunder28U.S.C.1332,wherepartiesarecitizensofdifferentstates. WhenBox4ischecked,the
citizenshipofthedifferentpartiesmustbechecked. (SeeSectionIIIbelow;NOTE:federalquestionactionstakeprecedenceoverdiversity
cases.)
III. Residence(citizenship)ofPrincipalParties. ThissectionoftheJS44istobecompletedifdiversityofcitizenshipwasindicatedabove. Markthis
sectionforeachprincipalparty.
IV. NatureofSuit. Placean"X"intheappropriatebox. Iftherearemultiplenatureofsuitcodesassociatedwiththecase,pickthenatureofsuitcode
thatismostapplicable. Clickherefor:NatureofSuitCodeDescriptions.
V. Origin. Placean"X"inoneofthesevenboxes.
OriginalProceedings. (1)CaseswhichoriginateintheUnitedStatesdistrictcourts.
RemovedfromStateCourt. (2)ProceedingsinitiatedinstatecourtsmayberemovedtothedistrictcourtsunderTitle28U.S.C.,Section1441.
RemandedfromAppellateCourt. (3)Checkthisboxforcasesremandedtothedistrictcourtforfurtheraction. Usethedateofremandasthefiling
date.
ReinstatedorReopened. (4)Checkthisboxforcasesreinstatedorreopenedinthedistrictcourt. Usethereopeningdateasthefilingdate.
TransferredfromAnotherDistrict. (5)ForcasestransferredunderTitle28U.S.C.Section1404(a). Donotusethisforwithindistricttransfersor
multidistrictlitigationtransfers.
MultidistrictLitigation–Transfer. (6)CheckthisboxwhenamultidistrictcaseistransferredintothedistrictunderauthorityofTitle28U.S.C.
Section1407.
MultidistrictLitigation–DirectFile. (8)CheckthisboxwhenamultidistrictcaseisfiledinthesamedistrictastheMasterMDLdocket.
PLEASENOTETHATTHEREISNOTANORIGINCODE7. OriginCode7wasusedforhistoricalrecordsandisnolongerrelevantdueto
changesinstatute.
VI. CauseofAction. Reportthecivilstatutedirectlyrelatedtothecauseofactionandgiveabriefdescriptionofthecause. Donotcitejurisdictional
statutesunlessdiversity. Example:U.S.CivilStatute:47USC553BriefDescription:Unauthorizedreceptionofcableservice.
VII. RequestedinComplaint. ClassAction. Placean"X"inthisboxifyouarefilingaclassactionunderRule23,F.R.Cv.P.
Demand. Inthisspaceentertheactualdollaramountbeingdemandedorindicateotherdemand,suchasapreliminaryinjunction.
JuryDemand. Checktheappropriateboxtoindicatewhetherornotajuryisbeingdemanded.
VIII. RelatedCases. ThissectionoftheJS44isusedtoreferencerelatedpendingcases,ifany. Iftherearerelatedpendingcases,insertthedocket
numbersandthecorrespondingjudgenamesforsuchcases.
DateandAttorneySignature. Dateandsignthecivilcoversheet.
DISTRICT OFNEW JERSEY
(In the space above enter the full name(s) of the plaintiff(s).)
-against -
COMPLAINT
Jury Trial: Yes No
(check one)
(In the space above enter the full name(s) of the defendant(s). If you
cannot fit the names of all of the defendants in the space provided,
please write “see attached” in the space above and attach an
additional sheet of paper with the full list of names. The names
listed in the above caption must be identical to those contained in
Part I. Addresses should not be included here.)
I. Parties in this complaint:
A. List your name, address and telephone number. Do the same for any additional plaintiffs named. Attach
additional sheets of paper as necessary.
Plaintiff Name
StreetAddress
County, City
State &Zip Code
TelephoneNumber
B. List all defendants. Youshould state the full name of the defendants, even ifthat defendant is a government
agency, an organization,acorporation,oranindividual. Includetheaddresswhereeachdefendantcanbe
served. Make sure that the defendant(s) listed below are identical to those contained in the above caption.
Attach additionalsheetsofpaperasnecessary.
Defendant No. 1 Name
Street Address
County, City
State &ZipCode
Defendant No. 2 Name
StreetAddress
County, City
State & Zip Code
Defendant No. 3 Name
StreetAddress
County, City
State & Zip Code
Defendant No. 4 Name
Street Address
County, City
State & Zip Code
II. BasisforJurisdiction:
Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. There are four types of cases that can be heard in federal court: 1)
Federal Question - Under 28 U.S.C. § 1331, a case involving the United States Constitution or federal laws or treaties
is a federal question case; 2) Diversity of Citizenship - Under 28 U.S.C. § 1332, a case in which a citizen of one
state sues a citizen of another state and the amount in damages is more than $75,000 is a diversity of citizenship case;
3)U.S. Government Plaintiff; and 4) U.S. Government Defendant.
A. Whatisthebasisforfederalcourtjurisdiction?(checkallthatapply)
Q Federal Questions Q Diversity of Citizenship
U.S. Government Plaintiff U.S. Government Defendant
B. If the basis for jurisdiction is Federal Question, what federal Constitutional, statutory or treaty right is at
issue?
C. If the basis for jurisdiction is Diversity of Citizenship, what is the state of citizenship of each party?
Plaintiff(s) state(s)ofcitizenship
Defendant(s)state(s)ofcitizenship
III. Statement of Claim:
State as briefly as possible the facts of your case. Describe how each of the defendants named in the caption of this
complaint is involved in this action, along with the dates and locations of all relevant events. You may wish to
include further details such as the names of other persons involved in the events giving rise to your claims. Do not
cite any cases or statutes. If you intend to allege a number of related claims, number and set forth each claim in a
separate paragraph. Attach additional sheets of paper as necessary.
A. Wheredidtheeventsgivingrisetoyourclaim(s)occur?
B. What date and approximate time did the events giving rise to your claim(s) occur?
C. Facts:
What
happened
toyou?
Who did
what?
Was
anyone
else
involved?
Who else
saw what
happened?
IV. Injuries:
If you sustained injuries related to the events alleged above, describe them and state what medical treatment, if any,
you required and received.
V. Relief:
State what you want the Court to do for you and the amount of monetary compensation, if any, you are seeking, and
thebasisforsuchcompensation.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Signedthis dayof ,20 .
SignatureofPlaintiff
MailingAddress
Telephone Number
FaxNumber(ifyouhaveone)
E-mail Address
Note: Allplaintiffs named in the caption of the complaint must date and sign the complaint.
Signature of Plaintiff:
AO 239 (Rev. 01/15) Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Long Form)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
for the
__________ District of __________
)
Plaintiff/Petitioner )
v. ) Civil Action No.
)
Defendant/Respondent )
APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN DISTRICT COURT WITHOUT PREPAYING FEES OR COSTS
(Long Form)
Affidavit in Support of the Application Instructions
I am a plaintiff or petitioner in this case and declare Complete all questions in this application and then sign it.
that I am unableto pay the costs of these proceedings Do not leave any blanks: if the answer to a question is “0,”
and that I am entitled to the relief requested. I declare “none,” or “not applicable (N/A),” write that response. If
under penalty of perjury that the information below is you need more space to answer a question or to explain your
true and understand that a false statement may result in answer, attach a separate sheet of paper identified with your
a dismissal of my claims. name, your case's docket number, and the question number.
Signed: Date:
1. For both you and your spouse estimate the average amount of money received from each of the following
sources during the past 12 months. Adjust any amount that was received weekly, biweekly, quarterly,
semiannually, or annually to show the monthly rate. Use gross amounts, that is, amounts before any deductions
for taxes or otherwise.
Income source Average monthly income Income amount expected
amount during the past 12 next month
months
You Spouse You Spouse
Employment
$ $ $ $
Self-employment
$ $ $ $
Income from real property (suchas rental income)
$ $ $ $
Interest and dividends
$ $ $ $
Gifts
$ $ $ $
Alimony
$ $ $ $
Child support
$ $ $ $
AO 239 (Rev. 01/15) Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Long Form)
Retirement (such as social security, pensions, annuities,
$ $ $ $
insurance)
Disability (such as social security, insurance payments)
$ $ $ $
Unemployment payments
$ $ $ $
Public-assistance (such as welfare)
$ $ $ $
Other (specify):
$ $ $ $
$ $ $ $
Total monthly income:
2. List your employment history for the past two years, most recent employer first. (Grossmonthlypayisbeforetaxesor
other deductions.)
Employer Address Datesofemployment Gross
monthly pay
$
$
3. List your spouse's employment history for the past two years, most recent employer first. (Gross monthly pay is before
taxes or other deductions.)
Employer Address Dates of employment Gross
monthly pay
$
$
$
4. How much cash do you and your spouse have? $
Below, state any money you or your spouse have in bank accounts or in any other financial institution.
Financial institution Type of account Amount you have Amount your
spouse has
$ $
$ $
$ $
If you are a prisoner, you must attach a statement certified by the appropriate institutional officer showing all receipts,
expenditures, and balances during the last six months in your institutional accounts. If you have multiple accounts,
perhaps because you have been in multiple institutions, attach one certified statement of each account.
Page 3 of 5
AO 239 (Rev. 01/15) Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Long Form)
5. List the assets, and their values, which you own or your spouse owns. Do not list clothing and ordinary
household furnishings.
Assets owned by you or your spouse
Make and year:
Registration #:
Make and year:
Registration #:
6. State every person, business, or organization owing you or your spouse money, and the amount owed.
Person owing you or your spouse Amount owed to you Amount owed to your spouse
mone
7. State the persons who rely on you or your spouse for support.
Name (or, if under 18, initials only) Relationship
AO 239 (Rev. 01/15) Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Long Form)
8. Estimatetheaveragemonthlyexpensesofyouandyourfamily. Showseparatelytheamountspaidbyyour
spouse. Adjust any payments that are madeweekly, biweekly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually to show the
monthly rate.
You Your spouse
Rent or home-mortgage payment (including lot rented for mobile home)
Are real estate taxes included? ’ Yes ’ No $ $
Is property insurance included? ’ Yes ’ No
Utilities (electricity, heating fuel, water, sewer, and telephone) $ $
Home maintenance (repairs and upkeep) $ $
Food $ $
Clothing $ $
Laundry and dry-cleaning $ $
Medical and dental expenses $ $
Transportation (not including motor vehicle payments) $ $
Recreation, entertainment, newspapers, magazines, etc. $ $
Insurance (not deducted from wages or included in mortgage payments)
Homeowner's or renter's: $ $
Life: $ $
Health: $ $
Motor vehicle: $ $
Other: $ $
Taxes (not deducted from wages or included in mortgage payments) (specify):
$ $
Installment payments
Motor vehicle: $ $
Credit card (name): $ $
Department store (name): $ $
Other: $ $
Alimony, maintenance, and support paid to others $ $
AO 239 (Rev. 01/15) Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Long Form)
Regular expenses for operation of business, profession, or farm (attach detailed
$ $
statement)
Other (specify): $ $
$ $
Total monthly expenses:
9. Do you expect any major changes to your monthly income or expenses or in your assets or liabilities during the
next 12 months?
’ Yes ’ No If yes, describe on an attached sheet.
10. Have you spent — or will you be spending — any money for expenses or attorney fees in conjunction with this
lawsuit? ’ Yes ’No
If yes, how much? $
11. Provide any other information that will help explain why you cannot pay the costs of these proceedings.
12. Identify the city and state of your legal residence.
Yourdaytimephonenumber:
Your age: Your years of schooling:
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY
Pro se (Non Prisoner)
Consent & Registration Form to Receive Documents Electronically
Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b), and Fed. R. Civ. P. 77(d), Local Civil Rule 5.2 and the
Court’s Electronic Case Filing Policies and Procedures, documents may be served through the
court’s transmission facilities by electronic means. Documents that are not permitted to be
served electronically are pleadings that are to be served with process under Fed.R.Civ.P. 4.
I __________________________________ hereby consent to receive service of
documents and notice of electronic filings via the Court’s electronic filing system to the extent
andin the manner authorized by the above rules andwaiving the right to receive notice byfirst
class mail pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 5(b)(2)(D) and Fed.R.Civ.P. 77(d).
Pursuant to Local Civil Rule10.1, I will promptly notifythe Courtif there is a change in
my personal data, such as name, address, and/or e-mail address. I will promptly notifythe Court
to request cancellation of electronic service.
Litigants who have consented to receive documents electronically will be sent a Notice
of Electronic Filing via e-mail. Upon receipt of the notice, they are permitted one “free look”
at the document byclicking on the hyperlinked document number. Theone “freelook” will
expire 15 days from the date the notice was sent. After the “free look” is used or expires, the
document can only beaccessed through PACER(Public Access to Court Electronic Records.) It
is recommended that litigants establish a PACER account. This can be accomplished by visiting
the PACER web site at http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov. PACER is an automated system that
allows an individual to view, print, and download documents fora fee.
Mye-mail address is: ___________________________________________________________
Mycasenumber is: _____________________________________________________________
___________________________________
Signature of Litigant
___________________________________
Mailing Address
___________________________________
City, State, Zip Code
___________________________________
Telephone Number
Date: _________________________
HelpfulHints:
~ AlloriginalpaperssubmittedforconsiderationtotheCourtaretobefiledwiththeClerkofthis
Court. CopiesofpapersfiledinthisCourtaretobeserveduponcounselforallotherparties(or
directlyonanypartyactingprose). Proofthatservicehasbeenmadeisprovidedbya
certificateofservice. Thiscertificateshouldbefiledinthecasealongwiththeoriginalpapers
andshouldshowthedayandmannerofservice.
Example: “I,(name),doherebycertifythatatrueandcorrectcopyoftheforegoing(name
ofpleadingorotherpaper)hasbeenservedupon(name(s)ofperson(s)served)
byplacingthesameintheU.S.Mail,properlyaddressedthis(date)dayof
(month),(year).”
_________________________
(Signature)
~ Anyrequestforcourtactionshallbesetforthinamotion,properlyfiledandserved. (Pleasesee
theMotionGuideincludedinthispacket.)
~ NodirectcommunicationistotakeplacewiththeDistrictJudgeorUnitedStatesMagistrate
Judgewithregardtothiscase. Allrelevantinformationandpapersaretobedirectedtothe
Clerk.
~ ThepartiesshouldnotifytheClerk’sofficewhenthereisanaddresschange. Failuretodoso
couldresultincourtordersorotherinformationnotbeingtimelydelivered,whichcouldaffect
theparties’legalrights.
D I S T R I C T O F N E W J E R S E Y
O F F I C E O F T H E C L E R K CAMDEN OFFICE
M AR TI N LU TH ER KINGJR . F EDER A L BUIL D IN G ANDU.S. C OURT HOUS E M ITCH E LL H. COHE N
50 W AL N UTS TR EET U. S.C O UR T HO US E
NEWARK,NEW JERSEY07101 1JOHNF.GERRYPLAZA
C AM DEN, NJ 08101
Cler k TRENT ON OFFICE
C LARKSON S.FISH ER
U. S. C O UR T HO US E
402EASTSTATESTREET
R OOM 2020
TR E NTO N , NJ 08608
REPLY TO:
MOTION GUIDE
(Please note, these instructions arebeing provided as a guide only and you should consult the
FederalRules ofCivilProcedure, aswellas the LocalRules fortheDistrict ofNew Jerseyprior
to filing a Notice ofMotion.)
*****Any request forcourt action shall be set forth in a motion, properly filed and served*****
Inorderto have anymotion listed before the Court, it must comply with LocalCivilRules
7.1, 37.1, and/or 78.1 of this Court:
(1) At the time of filing your motion withthe Court, you must also serve your motion
papers on the opposing parties by serving their counsel, if so represented. You must file a
certification indicating the method ofservice.
(2) Each Notice of Motion must have a motion date and must be filed at least
24 days prior to the motion date. (Motion days are the first and third Monday of
each month and can be found on our website at - www.njd.uscourts.gov.)
(3) A Brief must besubmitted in support of each motion, or a Statement that a Brief
is not necessary and the reason therefore. (Briefs are submitted as separate documents, and
should not haveaffidavits, certifications, or exhibits attached.)
THE LOCAL RULES MAY BE ACCESSED AT NO CHARGE ON THE COURT’S WEBSITE
-www.njd.uscourts.gov
(Title of Action)
:
Plaintiff, : Civil Action No.
v. : NOTICE OFMOTION
:
Defendant.
:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
(Name of Moving Party)
will move before the Honorable , U.S.D.J. on
(Motion days are the1st and 3rd Monday of each month)
for an Order .
(describetype of relief being sought)
In support of my motion, I will rely on the attached brief(if necessary).
Name
Address
Date:
I, , certify that a copyof mymotion was served
(Name of Moving Party)
by on upon:
(Mail, Personal Service, etc.) (Date)
(Nameof Opposing Party)
(Address of Opposing Party)
Name (Signature)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OFNEWJERSEY
OfficeoftheClerk
ScheduleofFees
TheClerk of theDistrictCourtis requiredto collect thefollowing fees:
Commencinganycivilactionorproceedingotherthananapplicationforawritofhabeascorpus
Filingfee-$350.00plus$55AdministrativeFee(inapplicabletoIFP) $405.00
Applicationforwritofhabeascorpus 5.00
FilingaNoticeofAppealinanycase
Feeincludes$5districtcourtfee(28U.S.C.§1917) 605.00
FilingaNoticeofAppealtoDistrictJudgefromaJudgmentofConviction
ByaMagistrateJudgeinaMisdemeanorCase 41.00
CertificateofSearch,pernameoritem 34.00
Certificationofanydocument 12.00
Exemplificationofanydocument 24.00
Issuanceofanapostille 50.00
Filingmiscellaneouspaper(anydocumentnotrelatedtoapendingcaseorproceeding) 52.00
Registrationofforeignjudgment 52.00
AdmissionofAttorneytoPractice(includingcertificate) 225.00
DuplicateAttorneyCertificateofAdmission 21.00
CertificateofGoodStandingtoPractice 21.00
AdmissiontoAppearProHacVice(eachcase) 250.00
Forreproducinganyrecordandprovidingacopyinpaperform,whichincludesoriginaldocuments .50perpage
ormicroficheormicrofilmreproductionoftheoriginalrecords
Forreproducingandtransmittinginanymanneracopyofanelectronicrecordstoredoutsideofthe 33.00
Court’selectroniccasemanagementsystem,includingbutnotlimitedto,documentfiles,
audiorecordings,andvideorecordings,perrecordprovided.
Forreproducinganaudiorecordingofacourtproceeding 34.00
RetrievaloffirstboxofrecordsfromFederalRecordsCenterorNationalArchives 70.00
RetrievalofadditionalboxesfromFederalRecordsCenterorNationalArchives,perbox 43.00
AnypaymentintotheCourtwhichisreturnedordeniedforinsufficientfunds,orreversedduetoa 53.00
chargeback
Processingfeeforapettyoffensechargedonafederalviolation 25.00
CommencingacivilactionunderTitleIIIofCubanLibertyandDemocraticSolidarity 7,202.00
(LIBERTAD)Actof1996(Thisfeeisinadditiontothefeeforcommencingacivilaction.)
CHECKSANDMONEYORDERSSHOULDBEMADEPAYABLETO:
CLERK,UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURT
May1,1987
AmendedeffectiveDecember18,1996;April1,1997;January1,1998;February1,2001;July1,2001;October1,2002;
November1,2003;June1,2004;February7,2005;March22,2005;April9,2006;November1,2011;June1,2012;May1,2013;
December1,2013,December1,2014,December1,2016,September26,2018;October1,2019,December1,2020,July15,2021,
July20,2021,December1,2023,March1,2024.
ADS Alternate Document Submission
What is Alternate Document Submission?
Alternate Document Submission (ADS) is a District of New Jersey service that may be used by self-
represented litigants without CM/ECF privileges for filing a new civil case or for filing documents in existing
civil, criminal or miscellaneous cases, as an alternative to mailing or bringing the documents to the
courthouse. Using ADS is the electronic equivalent of mailing your document(s) to the Court for filing on
CM/ECF. You are not required to use ADS. You may continue to elect to submit documents by one of the
other filing methods provided for self-represented litigants: by mail; by placing them in the drop box in one
of the courthouse lobbies; or delivering them in person at the Clerk’s Office. Clerk’s Office and drop box
hours are located on the Court’s website. Court holidays and designated administrative leave days are also
posted on the Court’s website.
As with any document submitted in federal court, documents submitted through ADS must comply with all
relevant local and federal rules. Please remember to sign your documents in compliance with Federal Rule
of Civil Procedure Rule 11 before submitting them to the Court. For additional guidance, please refer to the
Procedural Guide for Pro Se Litigants.
If you are submitting documents using ADS, do not mail additional copies of those documents to the Clerk’s
Office. If submitting courtesy copies, they shall be clearly marked “courtesy copy” and mailed or delivered
for Chambers ONLY if indicated in the assigned Judicial Officer’s Judicial Preferences.
The ADS system is provided for your convenience. The privilege of submitting a document through ADS
may be revoked due to continuous non-compliance of the ADS filing guidelines.
A technical failure with ADS will not constitute an excuse for missing a filing deadline. In the event of a
technical failure of ADS, users must submit documents by one of the other filing methods provided for self-
represented litigants as indicated above.
Please review the information below before submitting a document through ADS.
Filings that May Not Be Submitted by Alternate Document Submission
e Attorneys/individuals represented by attorneys cannot file using ADS and must file documents
electronically using CM/ECF. Any documents submitted through ADS by attorneys will not be
docketed and the attorney will not receive any response to the submission.
e Sealed documents may not be filed using ADS.
e USM-285 Forms
e Rule 26 Discovery
e Settlement position statements and/or other ex parte submissions
e Documents prohibited by a confidentiality order
e Unredacted documents that are not in compliance with Federal Rule Civil Procedure 5.2
e Unflattened fillable forms
e Courtesy copies or other documents intended for submission to Chambers only
You may complete the Notice of Consent & Registration to Receive Documents Electronically to provide
your consent to receive service of documents and Notice of Electronic Filings via the Court’s electronic filing
system to the extent and in the manner authorized by Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b), and Fed. R. Civ. P. 77(d), Local
Civil Rule 5.2. By and through your consent, you also waive the right to receive notice by first class mail
pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 5(b)(2)(D) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 77(d). This means that you will receive notice of
court documents, as well as documents filed by other parties in the case, at the e-mail address you provide.
The Court would no longer send paper copies of documents that were sent to you by e-mail.
Date of Filing
The date the Clerk’s Office receives a document submitted through ADS will be considered the date of filing.
Please allow time for processing. Generally, filings are processed within one full business day of receipt;
however, occasionally, there are times processing may take longer.
How Do I Know Which Vicinage My Filing Belongs?
For existing cases, you can determine the vicinage by looking at the first digit in the case number.
1: - Camden
2: - Newark
3: - Trenton
Review the number listed before the colon, i.e., case number 1:24-cv-00001 would be a civil Camden case
because the number before the colon is a 1.
If your case is a new filing and you do not have an assigned case number, please be advised that allocation
of new civil cases is guided by Local Rule 40.1(a). Cases are assigned based on the location of the first-
listed defendant, where the incident took place, or based on any listed related cases. For cases involving real
estate, the location of the property is used to determine the allocation. For motor vehicle accidents, cases are
assigned based on the county where the accident took place. Please review the vicinage lines for case
assignment located on the Court’s website to assist you in selecting the proper vicinage for submission of
your filing. Upon receipt of your initiating case document(s), a member of the Clerk’s Office will review
your submission to determine the proper vicinage.
REMINDER: All initiating filings, i.e., Complaints and Notices of Removal, must be accompanied by
a completed, flattened civil cover sheet. When filing a Notice of Removal, be sure to also include a
copy of all state court pleadings.
How Will I Know When My Submission is Docketed?
The Clerk’s Office will enter the documents submitted through ADS into CM/ECF. Once entered, you will
receive a Notice of Electronic Filing.
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records. After this free view is used or expires after 15 days, the filed document may only be accessed through
Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) or obtained through the Clerk’s Office for the
applicable copy work fee. You may obtain a PACER account by registering online at
https://pacer.uscourts.gov.
If you have not consented to receive documents electronically, you will receive a Notice of Electronic Filing
via first class mail at the address you listed on your pleadings.
How Can I Pay the Filing Fee for a New Case?
For new cases, the Clerk’s Office will assign a case number. Once the case is processed, you will receive a
Notice of Electronic Filing either electronically or via first class mail as indicated above. Once you have
received your case number you can pay by credit card, check or money order.
Credit card payments can be made by calling our finance department:
Camden: (609) 989-0468 Newark: (973) 622-4810 Trenton: (609) 989-0468
Checks or money orders shall be made payable to “Clerk, U.S. District Court” and mailed to the office where
the case was opened:
Camden: Newark: Trenton:
Clerk, U.S. District Court Mitchell H. Clerk, U.S. District Court Martin Clerk, U.S. District Court Clarkson
Cohen Building Luther King Building S. Fisher Building
& U.S. Courthouse & U.S. Courthouse & U.S. Courthouse
P.O. Box 2797 50 Walnut Street 402 E. State Street
Camden, NJ 08101 Newark, NJ 07102 Trenton, NJ 08608
856-757-5021 973-645-3730 609-989-2065
If you are unable to pay the filing fee, you may apply to the Court to allow you to file your complaint without
the prepayment of the filing fee by submitting an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. This application
must also accompany the complaint.
**If you are notified that the in forma pauperis application is denied by the court, you will be required to
pay the filing fee in order for the complaint to be filed and your action to commence.**
Technical Requirements for Using ADS
• File Size and Type: The Court will only accept files in PDF format with a size that does not exceed
35 MB. If your document exceeds 35 MB, you must split your document into smaller files and label
them accordingly. If your documents do not meet these requirements, you must file by mail; by
placing them in the drop box in one of the courthouse lobbies; or delivering them in person at the
Clerk’s Office. Documents that do not meet these criteria will not be filed.
e Filing Multiple Documents: You can submit up to 20 documents for filing in the same case as long
as no individual document exceeds 35 MB.
e How to Know If Your Submission Was Successful: If your submission is successful, you will see the
following screen:
Success! Your files have been submitted.
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If you do not see this screen, your documents were not submitted to the Court. If you cannot successfully
file using ADS, you must submit documents by one of the other filing methods provided for self-
represented litigants: by mail; by placing them in the drop box in one of the courthouse lobbies; or
delivering them in person at the Clerk’s Office.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is not legal advice. All parties using this website remain
responsible for complying with all applicable Court rules of procedure. If there is any conflict between the
information on this website and the applicable rules, the rules govern. This website may contain links to
other sites. The links on these pages are provided for your convenience. The Court makes no endorsement
or warranty of quality of services by linking to an organization from this website. The Court cannot and
does not guarantee the accuracy, relevance, reliability, or completeness of the information you find on
other sites.
Click here to submit your documents to the District of New Jersey.