Manuel Alcala Farias v. Citibank USA

Filing 9

ORDER dismissing complaint with leave to amend. Amended Complaint due by 5/1/2007. Order signed by Judge Dennis L. Beck on 3/29/2007. (Timken, A)

Manuel Alcala Farias v. Citibank USA

Doc. 9

Case 1:07-cv-00443-AWI-TAG

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 8 MANUEL ALCALA FARIAS, 9 10 Plaintiff, 11 v. 12 CITIBANK USA, 13 14 Defendant. 15 16 Plaintiff Manuel Alcala Farias ("Plaintiff"), proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, 17 filed the instant action on March 21, 2007. 18 DISCUSSION 19 A. 20 Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2), the court must conduct an initial review of the 21 complaint for sufficiency to state a claim. The court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof 22 if the court determines that the action is legally "frivolous or malicious," fails to state a claim 23 upon which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune 24 from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). If the court determines that the complaint fails to state 25 a claim, leave to amend may be granted to the extent that the deficiencies of the complaint can be 26 cured by amendment. 27 28 1
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
) 1:07cv0443 AWI DLB ) ) ) ORDER DISMISSING COMPLAINT ) WITH LEAVE TO AMEND ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Screening Standard

Case 1:07-cv-00443-AWI-TAG

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Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a) provides: A pleading which sets forth a claim for relief, whether an original claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim, shall contain (1) a short and plain statement of the grounds upon which the court's jurisdiction depends, unless the court already has jurisdiction and the claim needs no new grounds of jurisdiction to support it, (2) a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, and (3) a demand for judgment for the relief the pleader seeks. Relief in the alternative or of several different types may be demanded. A complaint must contain a short and plain statement as required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Although the Federal Rules adopt a flexible pleading policy, a complaint must give fair notice and state the elements of the claim plainly and succinctly. Jones v. Community Redev. Agency, 733 F.2d 646, 649 (9th Cir. 1984). Plaintiff must allege with at least some degree of particularity overt acts which the defendants engaged in that support Plaintiff's claim. Id. Although a complaint need not outline all elements of a claim, it must be possible to infer from the allegations that all elements exist and that there is entitlement to relief under some viable legal theory. Walker v. South Cent. Bell Telephone Co., 904 F.2d 275, 277 (5th Cir. 1990); Lewis v. ACB Business Service, Inc., 135 F.3d 389, 405-06 (6th Cir. 1998). B. Failure to State a Claim A complaint, or portion thereof, should only be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted if it appears beyond doubt that plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of the claim or claims that would entitle him to relief. See Hishon v. King & Spalding, 467 U.S. 69, 73 (1984), citing Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45-46 (1957); see also Palmer v. Roosevelt Lake Log Owners Ass'n, 651 F.2d 1289, 1294 (9th Cir. 1981). In reviewing a complaint under this standard, the court must accept as true the allegations of the complaint in question, Hospital Bldg. Co. v. Rex Hospital Trustees, 425 U.S. 738, 740 (1976), construe the pleading in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, and resolve all doubts in the plaintiff's favor. Jenkins v. McKeithen, 395 U.S. 411, 421 (1969). C. Analysis Plaintiff's complaint consists of one page and appears to allege violations of the Civil Rights Act and state law. He alleges that Defendant Citibank USA "abuse of my poverty SSI and race as a racial discrimination, never takes consideration my appeals for waiver fees and cost." 2

Case 1:07-cv-00443-AWI-TAG

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He explains that he has not worked since graduation and has been on disability for 13 years. He prays for injunctive relief and compensation. Except for the underlining of "student loan" on the civil cover sheet filed with his complaint, the Court would have no indication as to the context of his claims. Even though it appears that Plaintiff's allegations relate to the collection of his defaulted student loans, there is not enough information in the complaint to satisfy Rule 8. There is no statement of this Court's jurisdiction, nor is there a short and plain statement of the claims. The complaint fails to give fair notice as to his allegations because he does not state any facts upon which his claims are based. Given his pro se status, Plaintiff will be allowed to amend his claim to correct the above deficiencies. His complaint must comply with Rule 8 and state this Court's basis for jurisdiction, a short and plain statement of his claim (with supporting facts), and his requested relief. Until Plaintiff does so, the Court cannot thoroughly screen his complaint. Plaintiff is informed that the Court cannot refer to a prior pleading in order to make his amended complaint complete. Local Rule 15-220 requires that an amended complaint be complete in itself without reference to any prior pleading. This is because, as a general rule, an amended complaint supercedes the original complaint. See Loux v. Rhay, 375 F.2d 55, 57 (9th Cir. 1967). Once Plaintiff files an amended complaint, the original pleading no longer serves any function in the case. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 1. 2. Plaintiff's complaint is dismissed with leave to amend; and Plaintiff may file an amended complaint within thirty (30) days of the date of service of this order. Plaintiff's complaint should be clearly titled, "First Amended Complaint," and shall refer to the case number assigned to this action.

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Case 1:07-cv-00443-AWI-TAG

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If Plaintiff does not file an amended complaint within this time frame, the Court will recommend that this action be dismissed.

IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: 9b0hie

March 29, 2007

/s/ Dennis L. Beck UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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