Rodriguez et al vs. Kevin R. Nail, et al

Filing 9

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER. Plaintiff's complaint is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. ***Civil Case Terminated. Signed by Honorable P. K. Holmes, III on August 21, 2013. (jas)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FAYETTEVILLE DIVISION
GRICELDA SEEDERS; and ALMA RODRIGUEZ
v.

PLAINTIFF

Case No. 5:13-CV-05147

KEVIN R. NAIL; and FENCE BROKERS, INC.

DEFENDANTS

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Currently before the Court are Defendants’ motion (Doc. 5) to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction
and brief in support (Doc. 6) and Plaintiffs’ motion (Doc. 7) to remand.
Plaintiffs originally filed this case in this Court, generally asserting that this Court had
jurisdiction. (Doc. 1, ¶ 7). The complaint, however, does not appear to set forth any federal causes
of action, and states that both Plaintiffs and Defendants are residents of Arkansas. As the party
invoking the Court’s jurisdiction, it is Plaintiffs’ burden to properly plead the existence of federal
jurisdiction. Walker v. Norwest Corp., 108 F.3d 158, 161 (8th Cir. 1997). They have failed to do
so and admit, in their motion to remand (Doc. 7), that diversity does not exist. While Plaintiffs
request remand of the action to state court, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1447, the Court finds that remand
is not appropriate in this case as 28 U.S.C. § 1447 applies only to removed cases, and Plaintiffs did
not originally file this action in state court. The appropriate resolution is a dismissal without
prejudice for lack of jurisdiction.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Defendants’ motion (Doc. 5) to dismiss is GRANTED;
Plaintiffs’ motion (Doc. 7) to remand is DENIED; and Plaintiffs’ complaint is DISMISSED
WITHOUT PREJUDICE for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

IT IS SO ORDERED this 21st day of August, 2013.

/s/P. K. Holmes, III
P.K. HOLMES, III
CHIEF U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE