BAISDEN v. HAWKINS ( 2024 )

NOT FOR PUBLICATION UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY JAQUAN BAISDEN, Case No. 2:24-cv-10201-JKS-CLW Plaintiff, OPINION AND ORDER v. DANIELLE HAWKINS, November 8, 2024 Defendant. SEMPER, District Judge. This matter comes before the Court upon Plaintiff Jaquan Baisden’s application to proceed in forma pauperis. (ECF 1-2.) Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915, this Court may excuse a litigant from prepayment of fees when the litigant “establish[es] that he is unable to pay the costs of his suit.” Walker v. People Express Airlines, Inc., 886 F.2d 598, 601 (3d Cir. 1989). Having reviewed Plaintiff’s application, the Court finds leave to proceed in forma pauperis is warranted, and the application is GRANTED. However, when assessing an application to proceed in forma pauperis, the Court must review the pleadings and dismiss the matter if it determines that the action is frivolous, malicious, or fails to set forth a proper basis for this Court’s subject matter jurisdiction. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B); 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c). Because Plaintiff is proceeding pro se, the Court construes Plaintiff’s papers liberally. Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). The Court, however, need not credit a pro se party’s “‘bald assertions’ or ‘legal conclusions.’” Grohs v. Yatauro, 984 F. Supp. 2d 273, 282 (D.N.J. 2013) (quoting Morse v. Lower Merion Sch. Dist., 132 F.3d 902, 906 (3d Cir. 1997)). A district court has original jurisdiction over an action when there is diversity jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332 or when there is federal question jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331. Diversity jurisdiction exists when there is a dispute between citizens of different states alleging an amount in controversy in excess of $75,000. 28 U.S.C. § 1332. Here, both Plaintiff and Defendant are citizens of New Jersey. (ECF 1-2.) The amount in controversy appears to be $951.75 for child support payments. (Id.) Accordingly, there is no diversity jurisdiction, and the action must arise under federal law for this Court to have subject matter jurisdiction. Federal question jurisdiction exists when a dispute “aris[es] under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States.” 28 U.S.C. § 1331. Plaintiff does not assert any claims arising under federal law. Accordingly, this Court has no basis for exercising subject matter jurisdiction,1 and the Complaint is DISMISSED without prejudice. IT IS on this 8th day of November 2024, ORDERED that Plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis is hereby GRANTED; and it is further ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Complaint is DISMISSED without prejudice; and it is further ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court is directed to mail a copy of this Opinion and Order to Plaintiff by certified mail return receipt; and it is further ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court shall CLOSE this matter. /s/ Jamel K. Semper . HON. JAMEL K. SEMPER United States District Judge Orig: Clerk cc: Cathy L. Waldor, U.S.M.J. Parties 1 While Plaintiff’s Civil Cover Sheet indicates that this case involves a U.S. Government plaintiff, his Complaint does not set forth any facts supporting this assertion.