The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
DERIAN DOUGLAS HICKMAN, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Civil Action No. U 2251
9
)
UNITED STATES MINT, et al., )
)
Defendants. )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter comes before the court on plaintiffs application to proceed in forma pauperis
and pro se civil complaint. The court will grant the application, and dismiss the complaint.
Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires that a complaint contain a short
and plain statement ofthe 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 detennine whether the doctrine of res
judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498 (D.D.C. 1977).
Plaintiff appears to demand compensation from the United States Mint, the Internal
Revenue Service, the United States Tax Court and the Department of Justice for business losses
he has suffered. As drafted, the Complaint fails to comply with Rule 8(a) as it includes no
statement showing that the plaintiff is entitled to the relief he seeks. Accordingly, the Court will
dismiss the complaint without prejudice. An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion
will be issued on this same date.
6d:~.~
United States District Judge