WOUBETU v. CATHOLIC CHARITIES et al, No. 1:2023cv00946 - Document 3 (D.D.C. 2023)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM AND OPINION. Signed by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan on 04/12/2023. (zljn)
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SAMSON WOUBETU, Plaintiff, v. CATHOLIC CHARITIES, Defendant. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Civil Action No. 23-0946 (UNA) MEMORANDUM OPINION This matter is before the Court on consideration of plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis and pro se complaint. The Court grants the application and, for the reasons discussed below, the dismisses the complaint. A pro se litigant’s pleading is held to less stringent standards than would be applied to a formal pleading drafted by lawyer. 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 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 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). 1 Defendant operates a shelter in Washington, DC where plaintiff has been staying in recent months. See Compl. at 1. According to plaintiff, defendant’s staff “refuse to stop assaulting” him, take his books and other property, refuse to provide him a single room or apartment, and “insult and disrespect” him. Id. Missing from the complaint is a statement establishing a basis for this Court’s jurisdiction. Furthermore, there are so few factual allegations that defendant cannot reasonably be expected to identify the claim or claims brought against it so that it may prepare a proper response. As drafted, the complaint fails to comply with the minimum pleading standard set forth in Rule 8(a) and, therefore, must be dismissed. A separate order will issue. /s/ TANYA S. CHUTKAN United States District Judge DATE: April 12, 2023 2
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