The opinion
FILED
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OCT 28 2010
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Clerk, U.S. District & Bankruptcy
Courts for the District of Columbia
ANTONIO COLBERT, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Civil Action No.
) 10 1837
WASHINGTON LEGAL CLINIC )
FOR THE HOMELESS, )
)
Defendant. )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter comes before the court on review ofplaintiffs application to proceed in
forma pauperis and pro se civil complaint. The court will grant the application, and dismiss the
complaint.
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 ofthe 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).
Plaintiffis suing the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless for $500,000, claiming
that these "so called people are crooks" who "are wasting tax payers money." Compl. at 2.
The complaint does not contain a short and plain statement of the grounds upon which the
Court's jurisdiction depends or a claim that plaintiff is entitled to the relief he seeks. For these
reasons, the complaint will be dismissed without prejudice for its failure to comply with Rule
8(a).
An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately.
United States District Judge
DATE: