Powers v. Avondale Baptist Church et al

Filing 4

ORDER requiring Plaintiff to file amended complaint and taking under advisement 2 MOTION for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Signed by Judge Monte C. Richardson on 4/24/2006. (MOH)

Powers v. Avondale Baptist Church et al

Doc. 4

Case 3:06-cv-00363-VMC-MCR

Document 4

Filed 04/24/2006

Page 1 of 3

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA JACKSONVILLE DIVISION TOWNSEND POWERS, Plaintiff, vs. AVONDALE BAPTIST CHURCH, et. al., Defendants. _____________________________________/ Case No. 3:06-cv-363-J-20MCR

ORDER
THIS CAUSE is before the Court on Plaintiff's pro se Complaint (Doc. 1) and Affidavit of Indigency (Doc. 2), which the Court construes as a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1915(a)(1). The Court may, upon a finding of indigency, authorize the commencement of an action without requiring the prepayment of costs, fees, or security. 28 U.S.C. §1915(a)(1). However, when an application to proceed in forma pauperis is filed, the Court is obligated to review the case and to dismiss it if the Court determines the action is frivolous or malicious; if it fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted; or if the complaint seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. §1915(e)(2). An in forma pauperis complaint is considered frivolous if the Court determines the factual allegations are "clearly baseless" or the legal theories are "indisputably meritless." Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 327, 109 S.Ct. 1827 (1989). In reviewing the Complaint, the undersigned applied "the liberal construction to which pro se

Dockets.Justia.com

Case 3:06-cv-00363-VMC-MCR

Document 4

Filed 04/24/2006

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pleadings are entitled." Holsomback v. White, 133 F.3d 1382, 1386 (11th Cir. 1998). However, liberal construction cannot serve as a substitute for establishing a cause of action. See GJR Investments, Inc. v. County of Escambia Florida, 132 F.3d 1359, 1369 (11th Cir. 1998). In this case, Plaintiff has filed a complaint against a church and numerous individuals alleging violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Complaint does not provide any facts to support the claims. Although the Court cannot discern any factual basis for this suit, the Complaint may be susceptible to amendment. The Court will therefore provide Plaintiff with an opportunity to file an amended complaint. The amended complaint must include all of Plaintiff's claims in this action; it should not refer back to the original filings. Plaintiff must specify in the caption of his amended complaint all of the defendants he seeks to include in this action, and must properly and completely identify each defendant. Plaintiff must also set forth with specificity the nature of his causes of action and how each named defendant is involved in the alleged wrongdoing. Plaintiff is further advised that Rule 8(a)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires the complaint contain "a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief" and Rule 10(b) states that "all averments of claim or defense shall be made in numbered paragraphs, the contents of each of which shall be limited as far as practicable to a statement of a single set of circumstances...." Finally, Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(3) requires a complaint to include "a demand for judgment for the relief the pleader seeks."
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Case 3:06-cv-00363-VMC-MCR

Document 4

Filed 04/24/2006

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The Clerk is directed to furnish Plaintiff with a Step-By-Step Guide to Filing a Civil Action in the United States District Court Jacksonville/Ocala Divisions. Plaintiff may wish to obtain a copy of the Court's Local Rules which are available for review on the public website for the Middle District Court of Florida at www.flmd.uscourts.gov or may be obtained from the Clerk's Office. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure are available for review in the law libraries of the state and federal courthouses. Accordingly, after due consideration, it is ORDERED: Plaintiff shall file an amended complaint no later than Wednesday, May 10, 2006. In the meantime, the request to proceed in forma pauperis will be taken under advisement. Failure to file an amended complaint will result in the undersigned entering a report and recommendation to deny Plaintiff's request to proceed in forma pauperis. In lieu of responding, Plaintiff is free to pay the required filing fee.

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers in Jacksonville, Florida this 24th day of April, 2006.

MONTE C. RICHARDSON UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE Copies to: Pro Se Plaintiff

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