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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
FILED
JAN 302020 Clark, U.S. District &; Baneruptey Courts for the District of Columbia
VICENTE TROY HUNT,
| | ) | | :--: | :--: | | Plaintiff, | ) | | | ) | | v. | ) Civil Action No. 19-3600 (UNA) | | | ) | | JUDGE, | ) | | | ) | | | ) |
Defendant.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
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 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 claims being asserted such that they can prepare a responsive answer, prepare an adequate defense, and determine whether the doctrine of res judicata applies. Brown v. Califano, 75 F.R.D. 497, 498 (D.D.C. 1977).
The complaint alludes to the United States and leaders of foreign countries including Mexico, Venezuela, China, and Russia. No defendant reasonably could be expected to identify a viable legal claim or prepare a proper response to the complaint, however. As drafted, plaintiff's
*2 pro se complaint fails to comply with the minimal pleading standard set forth in Rule 8(a). Therefore, the Court will grant the application to proceed in forma pauperis and will dismiss the complaint without prejudice. An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately.
DATE: January , 2020