Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-00380/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-00380-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

D. DUSTIN,

Plaintiff,

v.

CAPTAIN TYSON, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

CASE NO. 1:08-cv-00380-LJO-GSA PC

ORDER DISMISSING COMPLAINT, WITH

LEAVE TO AMEND, FOR FAILURE TO

COMPLY WITH RULE 8

(Doc. 1)

THIRTY-DAY DEADLINE

Screening Order

I. Screening Requirement

Plaintiff D. Dustin (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis

in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff filed this action on March 17, 2008.

The Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a

governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The

Court must dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner has raised claims that are legally

“frivolous or malicious,” that fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or that seek

monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1),(2).

“Notwithstanding any filing fee, or any portion thereof, that may have been paid, the court shall

dismiss the case at any time if the court determines that . . . the action or appeal . . . fails to state a

claim upon which relief may be granted.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii). 

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Case 1:08-cv-00380-LJO-GSA Document 8 Filed 09/30/08 Page 1 of 3
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II. Rule 8(a)

Plaintiff’s seventeen page complaint is difficult to read, and does not clearly and plainly set

forth Plaintiff’s claims for relief. Rule 8(a) provides that a complaint must contain “a short and plain

statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief . . . .” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a). Rule

8(a) expresses the principle of notice-pleading, whereby the pleader need not give an elaborate

recitation of every fact he may ultimately rely upon at trial, but only a statement sufficient to “‘give

the defendant fair notice of what the plaintiff’s claim is and the grounds upon which it rests.’”

Swierkiewicz v. Sorema N. A., 534 U.S. 506, 511-12, 122 S.Ct. 992 (2002) (quoting Conley v.

Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 47, 78 S.Ct. 99 (1957)). 

Plaintiff has named fifty-four defendants and sets forth his allegations in densely packed,

narrative form. Plaintiff is required to submit a pleading that complies with Rule 8(a) by clearly

identifying the claims, and setting forth, as briefly as possible, the factual allegations in support of

each legal claim. It is not the Court’s duty to wade through all of the facts and craft Plaintiff’s legal

claims for him.

III. Order

Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s complaint is dismissed, with leave to amend, for failure to comply with

Rule 8(a);

2. The Clerk’s Office shall send Plaintiff a civil rights complaint form;

3. Within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order, Plaintiff shall file an

amended complaint; and

4. If Plaintiff fails to file an amended complaint in compliance with this order, the Court

will recommend that this action be dismissed, without prejudice, for failure to obey

a court order.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: September 30, 2008 /s/ Gary S. Austin 

Case 1:08-cv-00380-LJO-GSA Document 8 Filed 09/30/08 Page 2 of 3
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6i0kij UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:08-cv-00380-LJO-GSA Document 8 Filed 09/30/08 Page 3 of 3