Sorg v. Marcou et al

Filing 7

MEMORANDUM DECISION denying 4 Motion for Service of Process ; denying 5 Motion to Appoint Counsel. The court further orders that Plaintiff to file an amended complaint, as described in this order, by May 26, 2013, or risk dismissal of his action. Signed by Magistrate Judge Dustin B. Pead on 04/25/2013. (asp)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF UTAH, CENTRAL DIVISION JOHN ADAM SORG, Plaintiff, MEMORANDUM DECISION v. Case No. 2:13-cv-00255-DAK-DBP JOE MARCOU, et al., District Judge Dale A. Kimball Defendants. I. Magistrate Judge Dustin B. Pead INTRODUCTION This matter was referred to the Court under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B). (Docket No. 6.) Plaintiff, John Adam Sorg, filed a pro se civil rights complaint against Defendants Joe Marcou, Ricky Marcou, David Marcou, and Steve Perrine. (Dkt. No. 3.) Magistrate Judge Paul M. Warner granted Plaintiff’s motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. (Dkt. No. 2.) Plaintiff now moves for service of process (Dkt. No. 4), and for appointed counsel (Dkt. No. 5). For the reasons below, the Court DENIES Plaintiff’s motions, and ORDERS Plaintiff to file an amended complaint. II. PLAINTIFF’S MOTION TO APPOINT COUNSEL Civil litigants lack a Sixth Amendment right to counsel. See Johnson v. Johnson, 466 F.3d 1213, 1217 (10th Cir. 2006). However, in its discretion, a district court “may request an attorney to represent any person unable to afford counsel.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1); Johnson, 466 F.3d at 1217. The party requesting counsel bears the burden “to convince the court that there is Page 1 of 3 sufficient merit to his claim to warrant the appointment of counsel.” McCarthy v. Weinberg, 753 F.2d 836, 838 (10th Cir. 1985). When deciding whether to appoint counsel, the court should consider numerous factors, “including the merits of the litigant’s claims, the nature of the factual issues raised in the claims, the litigant’s ability to present his claims, and the complexity of the legal issues raised by the claims.” Rucks v. Boergermann, 57 F.3d 978, 979 (10th Cir. 1995) (citation omitted). After reviewing Plaintiff’s complaint, and applying the law above, the Court DENIES Plaintiff’s motion to appoint counsel. (Dkt. No. 5.) Plaintiff failed to articulate a discernible legal claim. He failed to succinctly summarize the factual issues giving rise to his claims. These shortcomings make it difficult for the Court to analyze the complexity involved in the claims, and Plaintiff’s ability to present the claims. III. PLAINTIFF MUST FILE AMENDED COMPLAINT In reviewing Plaintiff’s complaint, the Court notes several deficiencies. (Dkt. No. 3.) The hand-written complaint is, at times, illegible. The complaint lacks a statement that demonstrates jurisdiction before this Court is appropriate. It describes allegations against individuals Plaintiff failed to name as Defendants. Moreover, the complaint fails to list specific legal causes of action. Instead, the over onehundred page complaint contains numerous, unrelated grievances against law enforcement and mental health officials, and other individuals who allegedly harassed Plaintiff. The complaint lacks clear demands. Instead, it asks the Court to issue unspecified injunctions against Defendants to correct their “misgivings.” (Dkt. Nos. 3 at 2; 3-1 at 8.) Such inadequacies support sua sponte dismissal. See Hall v. Bellmon, 935 F.2d 1106, 1110 (10th Cir. 1991). However, the Court prefers to allow Plaintiff an opportunity to remedy the Page 2 of 3 inadequacies by amending his complaint. See McKinney v. State of Okla., Dep’t of Human Serv., 925 F.2d 363, 365 (10th Cir. 1991). Accordingly the Court ORDERS Plaintiff to submit an amended complaint. The amended complaint should be legible. It should set forth “a short and plain statement of the grounds for the court’s jurisdiction.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(1). It should also list all parties involved. It should include a “short and plain statement” of the claim(s) showing Plaintiff is entitled to relief. Id. 8(a)(2). That is, Plaintiff should list all his legal causes of action, and provide clear statements that show he is entitled to relief on those causes of action. Finally, Plaintiff should list specific demands for the relief he seeks. Id. 8(a)(3). The Court warns Plaintiff that if he fails to comply with this order, it will result in this Court recommending his complaint be dismissed. IV. PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS Because the Court orders Plaintiff to amend his complaint, the Court DENIES Plaintiff’s motion for service of process. (Dkt. No. 4.) When Plaintiff submits his amended complaint, he may renew his motion for service of process. V. ORDERS For the reasons discussed above, the Court issues the following ORDERS: The Court DENIES Plaintiff’s motion for service of process without prejudice. (Dkt. No. 5.) The Court DENIES Plaintiff’s motion for appointment of counsel. (Dkt. No. 4.) The Court ORDERS Plaintiff to file an amended complaint, as described above, by May 26, 2013, or risk dismissal of his action. Dated this 25th day of April, 2013. By the Court: Dustin B. Pead United States Magistrate Judge Page 3 of 3

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