Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_24-cv-00081/USCOURTS-ared-3_24-cv-00081-0/pdf.json

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

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

NORTHERN DIVISION 

CURTIS MORRIS PLAINTIFF 

 

V. NO. 3:24-cv-00081-JM-ERE 

JACOB WHITE and 

J.B. HOYER DEFENDANTS 

ORDER 

Pro se plaintiff Curtis Morris has filed a motion for preliminary injunction 

and temporary restraining order (Doc. 2), but he has not filed a complaint properly 

commencing this lawsuit. See FED. R. CIV. P. 3 (“A civil action is commenced by 

filing a complaint with the court”). Therefore, the Court lacks the authority to review 

his motion. See Powell v. Rios, 241 Fed. Appx. 500, 505 n. 4 (10th Cir.2007) (“only 

a properly-filed complaint can commence a civil action” and “(a)bsent a properlyfiled complaint, a court lacks power to issue preliminary injunctive relief”); Stewart 

v. U.S. I.N.S., 762 F.2d 193, 198 (2nd Cir. 1985) (same); Adair v. England, 193 F. 

Supp.2d 196, 200 (D.D.C. 2002) (same). 

Mr. Morris has thirty days to file a complaint. In his complaint, Mr. Morris 

should: (1) specifically state the constitutional claim or claims he asserts against each 

Defendant; (2) describe facts to show that his proposed claims are plausible; (3) 

explain any injury he suffered as a result of each Defendants’ unconstitutional 

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conduct; and (4) identify the relief he is seeking (such as money damages or 

injunctive relief). 

In his complaint, Mr. Morris need only include a “short and plain statement” 

showing that he is entitled to relief, with factual allegations that are “simple, concise, 

and direct.” FED. R. CIV. P. 8(a)(1) & (d). At this early stage, there is no need to 

identify witnesses or to describe evidence that he may rely on later to prove his 

claim. 

 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT: 

 1. Mr. Morris must file a complaint within thirty (30) days of the entry of 

this Order. 

2. If Mr. Morris fails to file a complaint, this case may be dismissed. 

3. The Clerk is instructed to provide Mr. Morris a blank 42 U.S.C. § 1983 

complaint form, along with a copy of this Order. 

4. Mr. Morris’ motion for preliminary injunction and temporary 

restraining order (Doc. 2) is DENIED.1

1 If Mr. Morris intends to pursue preliminary relief, he must separately file a proper 

motion and supporting brief. See Local Rule 7.2(e) (motions for temporary restraining 

orders and preliminary injunctions “shall not be taken up and considered unless set forth 

in a separate pleading accompanied by a separate brief”); compare FED. R. CIV. P. 65(a) 

(requirements for obtaining a temporary restraining order without notice to the opposing 

party) with (b) (requirements for obtaining a preliminary injunction with notice to the 

opposing party).

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SO ORDERED 15 May 2024. 

 ____________________________________ 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

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