Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-01564/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-01564-4/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Michael Jennison
Plaintiff
Ronald Rackley
Defendant

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MICHAEL JENNISON,

Plaintiff,

v.

RONALD RACKLEY,

Defendant.

No. 2:14-cv-1564 CKD

ORDER

Plaintiff is a state prisoner, proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, who seeks relief 

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On September 26, 2014, plaintiff’s complaint was dismissed with 

thirty days’ leave to amend. (ECF No. 17.) 

On October 14, 2014, plaintiff filed a document labeled “Amended Complaint”; however, 

it is effectively a letter to the court and does not name any defendants or causes of action. (ECF 

No. 20.) On November 12, 2014, plaintiff filed a second document labeled “Amended 

Complaint,” also in the form of a letter. (ECF No. 21.)

A prisoner pursuing civil rights claims without counsel, like all other litigants, is required 

to obey the court’s orders, including an order to amend his pleading. Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 

F.2d 1258, 1260–61 (9th Cir. 1992). Moreover, a pro se plaintiff must satisfy the pleading 

requirements of Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Rule 8(a)(2) “requires a 

complaint to include a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled 

Case 2:14-cv-01564-CKD Document 22 Filed 11/21/14 Page 1 of 2
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to relief, in order to give the defendant fair notice of what the claim is and the grounds upon 

which it rests.” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 554, 562–563 (2007) (citing Conley 

v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41 (1957)).

Plaintiff’s failure to file an amended pleading that comports with this court’s orders and 

the Federal Rules may justify dismissal, including dismissal with prejudice. See Ferdik, 963 F.2d 

at 1262–63 (affirming dismissal with prejudice for pro se prisoner’s failure to comply with order 

requiring filing of amended civil rights complaint). Plaintiff will be given one final opportunity 

to file a proper amended pleading or face dismissal of this action.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

1. Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint (ECF No. 20) is dismissed; 

2. Plaintiff’s Second Amended Complaint (ECF No. 21) is dismissed; and

3. No later than thirty days from the date of this order, plaintiff shall file a Third 

Amended Complaint. Failure to do so will result in dismissal of this action with prejudice. 

Dated: November 21, 2014

2 / jenn1564.fac

_____________________________________

CAROLYN K. DELANEY

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:14-cv-01564-CKD Document 22 Filed 11/21/14 Page 2 of 2