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Banks v. Fed. Bureau of Prisons

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Jan 9, 2012
Civil Action No. 12-0087 (D.D.C. Jan. 9, 2012)

Opinion

Civil Action No. 12-0087

01-09-2012

RAYNOLDO BANKS, Plaintiff, v. FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS, Defendant.


MEMORANDUM OPINION

This matter comes before the court on review of the plaintiff's application to proceed in forma pauperis and pro se civil complaint. The court will grant the application, and dismiss the complaint.

The Court has reviewed the 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 defendant of the claim 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).

It appears that the plaintiff has been prescribed unspecified medication and was forced to take the medication while incarcerated at a federal correctional institution. What few factual allegations the plaintiff includes in his pleading are far too vague to establish his entitlement to the monetary damages he demands. As drafted, the complaint fails to comply with Rule 8(a), and it will be dismissed.

An Order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion is issued separately.

________________

United States District Judge


Summaries of

Banks v. Fed. Bureau of Prisons

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Jan 9, 2012
Civil Action No. 12-0087 (D.D.C. Jan. 9, 2012)
Case details for

Banks v. Fed. Bureau of Prisons

Case Details

Full title:RAYNOLDO BANKS, Plaintiff, v. FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS, Defendant.

Court:UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Date published: Jan 9, 2012

Citations

Civil Action No. 12-0087 (D.D.C. Jan. 9, 2012)