Free ) - Wisconsin

Pro Se/Non-Prisoner Complaint Package Instructions - Read Carefully 1. In order for the United States District Court to consider this complaint, you must fill it out in legible handwriting or on a typewriter. Also, you must answer each question or fill in each blank clearly and simply. If you cannot finish an answer in the available space on the front of the page, you may continue the answer on another sheet of paper. If you continue an answer this way, make sure you identify clearly which question the continuation applies to. Before submitting your proposed complaint to the court, you must do several things: a. Prepare an original and an identical copy of your proposed complaint and all attachments or exhibits to your proposed complaint for (1) (2) (3) THE COURT EACH DEFENDANT YOU NAME YOURSELF

2.

For example, if you name two persons as defendants, you should prepare and return the original and two copies to the court (the original for the court and a copy for each named defendant), and retain one copy for your own reference. DO NOT MAIL A COPY OF YOUR COMPLAINT DIRECTLY TO ANY DEFENDANT(S). b. If you sue an officer or agency of the United States, you must send the court two additional copies of the complaint and any attachments. Submit a check or money order in the amount of $350.00. Make the check or money order payable to the CLERK, U.S. DISTRICT COURT. If you cannot afford to prepay the fee, you must complete the affidavit of indigency (attached), declare it to be true and submit the affidavit with your proposed complaint.

c.

3.

Again, you are reminded that if you attach any documents to your complaint, you must provide copies of each attachment with each copy of the complaint. It is not the court's function to make or provide copies for litigants. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP A COPY FOR YOUR OWN FILE OF EVERY DOCUMENT OR LETTER THAT YOU SEND TO THE COURT. Mail your proposed complaint with the necessary copies, your check or money order or affidavit of indigency to: Clerk, U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin P.O. Box 432 Madison, WI 53701-0432

4.

General Information 1. JURISDICTION

Jurisdiction is the authority of the courts to hear and decide lawsuits. The major statute giving federal courts jurisdiction to hear and decide cases that involve violations of federal rights is Title 28 U.S.C. § 1331. 28 U.S.C. § 1331 states: The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of all civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States. 2. VENUE

The federal courts are divided into geographical districts. Venue refers to the judicial district in which a lawsuit should be brought. A complaint must show that the district court in which the lawsuit is filed is the proper court to hear the case. The major venue provisions are found in Title 28 U.S.C. § 1391 and § 1392. They provide that: · When each defendant is an officer or employee of the U.S. or any agency of the U.S. and that defendant acted in his official capacity, the lawsuit may be filed in the district where the defendant resides or the claim arose or the plaintiff resides if no real property (that is, land) is involved in the case. When the plaintiff(s) and the defendant(s) are citizens of different states, (that is, diversity of citizenship) the lawsuit must be filed in the district where all plaintiffs or all defendants reside or where the claim arose. 28 U.S.C. § 1391(a). When the plaintiff(s) and the defendant(s) are citizens of the same state, (that is, no diversity of citizenship) the lawsuit must be filed in the district where all defendants reside or where the claim arose, except as otherwise provided by law. 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b). However, when the defendants reside in different districts within the same state, the lawsuit may be filed in any of these districts. 28 U.S.C. § 1392(a). IN FORMA PAUPERIS "In Forma Pauperis" literally means "in the manner of a poor person." Federal law permits a person to file a lawsuit without prepayment of any court costs if the person shows that he or she is unable to pay such fees. To qualify for in forma pauperis status, a person must file a statement declaring under penalty of perjury that he or she is unable to prepay such costs and is unable to give security for the payment of such costs. This statement also must declare that the person seeking in forma pauperis status believes that he or she in entitled to a court remedy. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). The court may request an attorney to represent a person who is unable to employ counsel. However, there is no right to be represented by an attorney in a civil lawsuit. Appointment of counsel lies within the discretion of the court in civil cases. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d). Because there are not enough lawyers who can absorb the costs of representing persons on a voluntary basis, this court cannot request the assistance of counsel for all of the persons who file cases in this district on their own behalves. For that reason, this court makes such requests of lawyers sparingly, and only in exceptional cases.

·

·

·

3.

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF WISCONSIN

(Full nam e of plaintiff(s))

Case Number:

vs
(Supplied by clerk)

(Full nam e of defendant(s))

COMPLAINT
A. JURISDICTION 1._________________________________________________________, resides at
(Plaintiff)

_______________________________________, at __________________________________
(A ddress) (C ity, State)

2. Defendant ___________________________________________ is employed as
(N ame of First D efendant)

______________________________________ at ___________________________________
(Position and Title, if any) (Address)

3. Defendant ____________________________________________ is employed as
(N ame of Second D efendant)

_____________________________________ at ___________________________________
(Position and Title, if any) (Address)

(W D W I rev. 3/6

)

(N on-Prisoner C om plaint)

B. CAUSE OF ACTION On the space provided on the following pages, tell what specific incidents or conversations occurred which led you to believe your constitutional or federal rights have been or are presently being violated. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE ALLEGATIONS BE BRIEF, BUT SPECIFIC. Do not cite legal authorities, such as earlier court decisions or laws enacted by the legislature or Congress, to support your lawsuit at this early stage of your case.

______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

(W D W I rev. 3/6

)

(N on-Prisoner C om plaint)

______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

C. REQUEST FOR RELIEF
(W D W I rev. 3/6 ) (N on-Prisoner C om plaint)

1.

I ________________ request that I be allowed to commence this action without
(do, do not)

prepayment of fees and costs, or security therefor, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1915. The attached affidavit of indigency has been completed and is submitted in support of this request for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. 2. In the following space, please indicate exactly what it is you wish this court to do. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________ Dated this ________ day of _____________________, 20_____. _____________________________________________
(Signature)

_____________________________________________
(Street or PO B ox)

_____________________________________________
(C ity, State Zip Code)

(W D W I rev. 3/6

)

(N on-Prisoner C om plaint)