Opinion
Case No.: 1:06-cv-798-MEF.
September 11, 2006
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff has filed a motion seeking to proceed in forma pauperis in this action (Doc. # 2). Upon consideration of the motion, it is
ORDERED that the motion to proceed in forma pauperis is GRANTED. Upon review of the complaint filed in this case, the court concludes that dismissal of the complaint prior to service of process is appropriate under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).
The statute provides, in pertinent part: "[T]he court shall dismiss the case at any time if the court determines that . . . the action or appeal — (i) is frivolous or malicious, (ii) fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted; or (iii) seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief." 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).
On September 6, 2006, Angela Denise Nails ("Nails") filed her second lawsuit in this Court against Eugene and Pauline Preston ("the Prestons") for injuries Nails allegedly suffered when Eugene Preston struck Nails with a vehicle owned by Pauline Preston.
Nails filed her first lawsuit against the Prestons on March 17, 2006. See Nails v. Preston et al., 1:06cv246 (M.D. Ala. 2006). Like the instant lawsuit, Nails' first suit also arose out of alleged injuries to Nails when she was struck by a vehicle driven by Eugene Preston and owned by Pauline Preston. On April 7, 2006, the Court dismissed Nails' first lawsuit without prejudice because it lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the action. Nails made two unsuccessful attempts to have this Court reconsider this ruling and then simply filed a new lawsuit with substantially similar allegations.
A federal court is a court of limited of jurisdiction. Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins., 511 U.S. 375, 377 (1994). That is, a federal court is authorized to entertain only certain actions which the Constitution or Congress has authorized it to hear. Id. "It is to be presumed that a cause lies outside this limited jurisdiction, . . ., and the burden of establishing the contrary rests upon the party asserting jurisdiction, . . . ." Id. (citations omitted). Therefore, a plaintiff is required by Rule 8(a)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to allege in his complaint "a short and plain statement of the grounds upon which the court's jurisdiction depends." Indeed, a federal court's jurisdiction must be established by a plaintiff in the complaint by stating the basis of the court's jurisdiction and by pleading facts that demonstrate the existence of jurisdiction. Taylor v. Appleton, 30 F.3d 1365, 1367 (11th Cir. 1994); Kirkland Masonry, Inc. v. Comm'r, 614 F.2d 532, 533 (5th Cir. 1980) (same). Pro se litigants are not excused from compliance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Although the court is required to liberally construe a pro se litigant's pleadings, the court does not have "license to serve as de facto counsel for a party . . ., or to re-write an otherwise deficient pleading in order to sustain an action. . . ." GJR Investments, Inc. v. County of Escambia, Fla., 132 F.3d 1359, 1369 (11th Cir. 1998). Consequently, a court may not excuse a pro se litigant from the requirement of stating the basis for the court's jurisdiction in her pleadings. "[O]nce a court determines that there has been no [Congressional] grant that covers a particular case, the court's sole remaining act is to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction." Morrison v. Allstate Indemnity Co., 228 F.3d 1255, 1261 (11th Cir. 2000). Accord, Barnett v. Bailey, 956 F.2d 1036, 1039-41 (11th Cir. 1992) (holding that a court is required to examine its jurisdiction over an action at any time and dismiss an action sua sponte for lack of subject matter jurisdiction if jurisdiction is not found). Indeed, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(h)(3) specifically provides that "[w]henever it appears by suggestion of the parties or otherwise that the court lack jurisdiction of the subject matter, the court shall dismiss the action." Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(h)(3) (emphasis added).
In Bonner v. City of Prichard, Ala., 661 F.2d 1206, 1209 (11th Cir. Nov. 3, 1981) ( en banc), the Eleventh Circuit adopted as binding precedent all Fifth Circuit decisions handed down prior to the close of business on September 30, 1981.
After a careful review of the Complaint (Doc. # 1), the Court finds that Nails has failed to articulate any conceivable basis for federal subject matter jurisdiction. Moreover, given that this action is a personal injury action between private parties who all are citizens of Alabama, the Court cannot imagine any possible, but as yet unarticulated basis for federal subject matter jurisdiction over this action. Neither the United States Constitution, nor any act of Congress authorizes this Court to entertain this cause of action. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that this case is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE for want of subject matter jurisdiction.
Nails has consistently alleged that she and the Prestons are citizens of Alabama.