Ruther v. Kentucky

F I L E D
'APR'a*o 2019
C|erk, U.S. Dlstrict & Bankruptcy
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT Courts forthe District of Co|umb\a
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA j ``
L RUTHER, §
Plaintiff, §
v. § Civil Action No. l : l 9-cv-01043 (UNA)
KENTUCKY, et al. , §
Defendants. §
)
MEMORANDUM OPINION
The Court has reviewed plaintiffs 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 Haz'nes v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 5 l9, 520 (1972). Even pro se litigants, however,
must comply With the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Jarrell v. Tisch, 656 F. Supp. 23 7, 239
(D.D.C. 1987). Rule S(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 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); see Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S.
662, 678-79 (2009). The purpose of the minimum standard of Rule 8 is to give fair notice to the
defendants of the claims 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).
The current allegations, basis for jurisdiction, and entitlement to relief, if contained
Within plaintiffs complaint, are completely unclear to the Court. As drafted, the complaint fails
to meet the minimum pleading standard set forth in Rule 8(a).
Therefore, the Court Will grant the plaintiffs application to proceed in forma pauperis
separately.
DATE: April<’§, 2019
United S{tates District Judge