Opinion ID: 2074695
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Standards Applicable to Pro Se Litigants

Text: Bryant's final claim of error is that, since he was a pro se litigant, he should have been afforded greater latitude by the hearing justice in presenting his case. To support this position, Bryant cites a series of cases holding that the pleadings of pro se litigants should be held to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers. Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520, 92 S.Ct. 594, 30 L.Ed.2d 652 (1972); see, e.g., Jaxon v. Circle K Corp., 773 F.2d 1138, 1140 (10th Cir.1985); Maclin v. Paulson, 627 F.2d 83, 86 (7th Cir.1980); Hass v. United States Air Force, 848 F.Supp. 926, 929 (D.Kan. 1994). Bryant urges us to hold that this relaxed standard for pleading should be extended to other technical requirements that may arise during a proceeding. Bryant essentially argues that the hearing justice improperly placed form over substance, and thereby denied him the opportunity to present the merits of his application. We do not agree. During the hearing, the justice properly admonished Bryant when he raised irrelevant issues and repeated questions that had been asked and answered. Although we agree with Bryant that pro se litigants should be afforded some latitude, it would be improper for a hearing justice to set aside our rules of evidence and procedure. Indeed, the transcript reveals that the hearing justice was patient with Bryant, went out of his way to accommodate him during all stages of the proceeding, and gave him ample opportunity to present the merits of his case. We therefore reject Bryant's argument that he is entitled to a new hearing.