Opinion

Desjarlais v. Federal Government of the United States of America

Court
District Court, District of Columbia
Filed
May 26, 2011
Status
Published
On the bench
Judge Ellen S. Huvelle
Nature of suit
Civil
Cited by
0 cases
Authority
More cited than 31.4%

The opinion

FILED

MAY 2 6 2011

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT Cl€|’k, U.S. D|Sfrl¢! & Blnk|’l|pf¢y

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TERRY R. DESJARLAIS, JR., )

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. ) civn A¢m>n No. ()9'79

)

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF THE )

UNITED STATES CF AMERICA, )

)

Defendant. )

MEMORANDUM OPINION

This matter comes before the court on review of the plaintiff s application to proceed in

forma pauperis and pro se civil complaint. The court will grant the application, and dismiss the

complaint.

The plaintiff alleges "serious Federal Mal - Practice, Gross ~ Negligence and Civil and

Constitutional Rights[] violation[]s." Compl. at 2. He alleges that an investigation had been

conducted, the subject of which is not described, which brought about "attempt[s] to endanger

[his] life and [his] relationship[]s" resulting in mental and physical injury. Id. He demands

unspecified compensatory damages and injunctive relief. ld.

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 Hairzes v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 5l9, 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. l987). Rule S(a) of the F ederal 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. Calz`j"ano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498 (D.D.C. l977). The

plaintiffs complaint does not accomplish these tasks, as it fails to include a short and plain

statement showing that the plaintiff is entitled to the relief he demands.

The Court will dismiss the complaint. An Order consistent with this Memorandum

Opinion is issued separately

g/ca, rif/eda

United States District Judge

jay

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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