Bell v. Holder et al (INMATE 2)

Filing 4

ORDERED that on or before 7/27/2011, Plf shall file an amended complaint on a form for use in filing a 42 USC § 1983 complaint, as further set out in order. Signed by Honorable Judge Terry F. Moorer on 7/6/2011. Copy of blank 42 USC § 1983 complaint form mailed as directed. (wcl, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
NORTHERN DIVISION
_______________________________
DARRIUS BELL, #149 992
Plaintiff,
v.

*
*
*

2:11-CV-488-WHA
(WO)

DIRECTOR, UNITED STATES DEPT. *
OF JUSTICE, et al.,
*
Defendants.
_______________________________

ORDER
This 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action is before the court for screening pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§ 1915(e)(2)(B). The complaint has not been submitted on a court-approved form and is
presented in a rambling, dis-jointed, and narrative-style manner. Further, although Plaintiff
names six defendants to this cause of action, the complaint merely contains general
conclusions of constitutional violations, and fails to identify factual allegations material
to specific counts lodged against each of the named defendants with respect to any
violations of Plaintiff's constitutional rights.
“This type of pleading completely disregards Rule 10(b)'s requirement that discrete
claims should be plead in separate counts, see Anderson v. Dist. Bd. of Tr., 77 F.3d 364366-67 (11th Cir. 1996), and is the type of complaint that [has been] criticized time and
again.” Magluta v. Samples, 256 F.3d 1282, 1284 (11th Cir. 2001). Accordingly, the court

deems it appropriate to require Plaintiff to amend his complaint to correct the deficiencies
noted herein.
In light of the foregoing, it is
ORDERED that on or before July 27, 2011, Plaintiff shall file an amended complaint
on a form for use in filing a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 complaint. See Local Rule 9.1 (requiring pro
se litigants to utilize court's forms). Plaintiff's original complaint shall be superseded by
the amended complaint.

This means Plaintiff shall no longer rely on the original

complaint.1
It is further ORDERED that Plaintiff's amended complaint shall:
1. Specifically identify the individual(s) Plaintiff seeks to name as a defendant(s)
and provide facts to show that particular individual's participation or involvement in his
claim;
2. Contain one claim and any claims that can be shown closely related to it, i.e.,
arising out of the same incident or facts;
3. Identify specific claims relative to actions taken against him by the named
defendant(s) and list these claims in separate counts;

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That being said, the claims and defendants in the amended complaint should be less numerous than
those contained in the original complaint due to the following pleading requirements. It is necessary for
Plaintiff to file a separate complaint for each claim unless the claims are related to the same incident or issue.
Thus, for each different claim, Plaintiff must file a separate complaint and pay the $350.00 filing fee or, in
lieu thereof, file a motion to proceed without prepayment of fees and costs. Plaintiff must, therefore, decide
on which claims he will proceed in this action as well as identify each individual that he seeks to name as
a defendant.

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4. Describe with clarity those factual allegations that are material to each specific
count against the named defendant(s);
5. Describe how each named defendant violated Plaintiff’s constitutional rights; and
6. Comply with F.R.Civ.P. 8(a) which requires that a plaintiff plead "'a short and
plain statement of the claim that will give the defendant fair notice of what the plaintiff's
claim' is and the grounds upon which it rests." Leatherman v. Tarrant County Narcotics
Intelligence and Coordination Unit, 507 U.S. 163, 168 (1993) (emphasis added) (quoting
Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 47(1957); see Fullman v. Graddick, 739 F.2d 553, 556-57
(11th Cir. 1984) (finding vague and conclusory claims are subject to dismissal).
Plaintiff is advised that his failure to file an amended complaint within the prescribed
time and in accordance with the directives contained in this order will result in a
Recommendation that this case be dismissed for failure to prosecute and to obey the court's
order. Furthermore, the failure to plead a complaint that complies with F.R.Civ.P. 8(a), that
is, a complaint that provides fair notice to the court and a defendant of the claim against the
defendant, after being required to re-plead a complaint, will result in a Recommendation that
the complaint be dismissed under F.R.Civ.P. 41(b) for failure to comply with the court's
order. Pelletier v. Zweifel, 921 F.2d 1465, 1522 n.103 (11th Cir. 1991).
The Clerk is DIRECTED to send Plaintiff a form for use in filing a complaint under
42 U.S.C. § 1983 to assist him in complying with the directives contained herein.

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Done, this 6th day of July 2011.

/s/ Terry F. Moorer
TERRY F. MOORER
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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