King v. Cripps ( 2019 )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA CASE NO.: 19-81279-CIV-SMITH NIKIE KING, Plaintiff, v. STEVEN G. CRIPPS, P.A., et al, Defendants. __________________________________/ ORDER DISMISSING CASE FOR LACK OF SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION THIS CAUSE is before the Court sua sponte. The Court has reviewed pro se Plaintiff’s Complaint [DE 1] and the record in this case, and is otherwise fully advised in the premises. For the reasons stated herein, the Court will dismiss this action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. “[I]t is well settled that a federal court is obligated to inquire into subject matter jurisdiction sua sponte whenever it may be lacking.” Bochese v. Town of Ponce Inlet, 405 F.3d 964, 975 (11th Cir. 2005). It should do so “at the earliest possible stage in the proceedings.” Univ. of S. Ala. v. Am. Tobacco Co., 168 F.3d 405, 410 (11th Cir. 1999). Once a federal court determines that it is without subject matter jurisdiction, “the court is powerless to continue.” Bochese, 405 F.3d at 974–75; see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3) (“If the court determines at any time that it lacks subject- matter jurisdiction, the court must dismiss the action.”). Plaintiff’s Complaint alleges that the Court has diversity jurisdiction over this case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332, which requires that the matter in controversy exceed $75,000 and is between citizens of different states. However, the Complaint does not demonstrate that either requirement is met here: all parties are citizens of the state of Florida, and the amount in controversy is $2,000. (Compl. [DE 1] at 3-4) Because the Complaint does not properly allege that the Court has diversity jurisdiction over this matter (or any other basis for subject matter jurisdiction), the Complaint must be dismissed. Accordingly, it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the Complaint [DE 1] is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. All pending motions are hereby DENIED AS MOOT, all hearings are CANCELLED, and all deadlines are TERMINATED. This case is CLOSED. DONE AND ORDERED in Fort Lauderdale, Florida this 5 day of December, 2019. RODNEY SMITH UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE