Louis Hamilton, II v. Donald Trump, Sr., No. 17-40068 (5th Cir. 2017)
Annotate this Case
Download PDF
Case: 17-40068 Document: 00514142918 Page: 1 Date Filed: 09/05/2017 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 17-40068 Summary Calendar LOUIS CHARLES HAMILTON, II, United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit FILED September 5, 2017 Lyle W. Cayce Clerk Plaintiff - Appellant v. DONALD JOHN TRUMP, SR., 45th President, Defendant - Appellee Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. 3:16-MC-16 Before DAVIS, PRADO, and COSTA, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* Louis Hamilton, a pro se plaintiff proceeding in forma pauperis, appeals the district court’s dismissal of his case as frivolous under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i). The district court may dismiss a suit by an IFP plaintiff as frivolous if it lacks an arguable basis in law or fact, Siglar v. Hightower, 112 F.3d 191, 193 (5th Cir. 1997), and we review a dismissal of a claim as frivolous Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4. * Case: 17-40068 Document: 00514142918 Page: 2 Date Filed: 09/05/2017 No. 17-40068 under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i) for abuse of discretion. Ruiz v. United States, 160 F.3d 273, 275 (5th Cir. 1996). After reviewing Hamilton’s filings, we hold that the district court did not abuse its discretion in deeming Hamilton’s case frivolous. Hamilton brings suit against Donald Trump, Sr. and others on behalf of a number of plaintiffs— some living, some dead—but we are unable to determine what remedy he seeks and under what legal authority he seeks it. Although we construe pro se pleadings liberally, a suit that is based on an “indisputably meritless” legal theory—or one that is founded in no theory at all—is frivolous and must be dismissed. Geiger v. Jowers, 404 F.3d 371, 373 (5th Cir. 2005). The judgment of the district court is thus AFFIRMED. Because Hamilton’s other pending motions (including one to recuse two members of this Court apparently because of their race) are also frivolous, they are similarly DENIED. We also warn Hamilton that, given his propensity for filing meritless claims, future frivolous filings will result in sanctions, which may include dismissal, monetary sanctions, and restrictions on his ability to file pleadings in this court. 1 See Mendoza v. Lynaugh, 989 F.2d 191, 195–97 (5th Cir. 1993). This court has already dismissed one appeal by Hamilton as frivolous, Hamilton v. Zanders, 463 Fed. App’x 244 (5th Cir. 2012), and he has been barred from filing cases in the Southern District of Texas unless he obtains leave of court. See Hamilton v. United States, No. 4:16-CV-964 (S.D. Tex. Mar. 31, 2017). 1 2
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
