Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-alsd-1_03-cv-00852/USCOURTS-alsd-1_03-cv-00852-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

---

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

SOUTHERN DIVISION

EDDIE JAMES BETTIS, )

 )

Plaintiff, )

 )

v. ) CIVIL ACTION 03-0852-WS-B

 )

JAMES POWERS, et. al., )

 )

Defendants. )

ORDER

This matter is before the Court on the plaintiff’s motion for leave to amend complaint. (Doc.

13). The motion is in apparent response to the report and recommendation of the Magistrate Judge

that his complaint be dismissed prior to service of process pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). 

Complaints that are governed by the Prisoner Litigation Reform Act (“PLRA”) are also

governed by Rule 15(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Brown v. Johnson, 387 F.3d 1344,

1348-49 (11th Cir. 2004). That rule allows a litigant to amend his complaint “once as a matter of

course at any time before a responsive pleading is served.” Because, as in Brown, the motion to

amend was filed after an unfavorable report and recommendation was entered but before a responsive

pleading was filed, the plaintiff is entitled “as a matter of course” to amend his complaint under Rule

15(a). 387 F.3d at 1349. Accordingly, the motion for leave to amend is granted. The Magistrate

Judge will undertake a review of the complaint as amended pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2)(B)

and 1915A.

DONE and ORDERED this 12th day of September, 2005.

s/ WILLIAM H. STEELE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:03-cv-00852-KD-B Document 14 Filed 09/13/05 Page 1 of 1