Candace Alexander v. Jameka Scales, et al.

Summary

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama dismisses Candace Alexander’s pro se claims against family members without prejudice for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. The court concludes that the complaint does not state a valid federal claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and that diversity jurisdiction is absent because the parties are not completely diverse. The court also directs the Clerk to terminate the pending motions and send the order to the pro se parties.

Holdings

1. The complaint did not establish a valid federal claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 because the defendants were private family members and were not alleged to be federal officers or state actors acting under color of law; therefore, federal-question jurisdiction was absent.
2. The complaint did not establish diversity jurisdiction because Alexander did not reside in a different state from all of her family members, and the required complete diversity was absent.
3. When a federal court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, it must dismiss the action without prejudice.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the complaint established federal-question jurisdiction through a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
2. Whether the complaint established diversity jurisdiction over Alexander's state-law claims.
3. What disposition was required because the court lacked subject matter jurisdiction.

Disposition

dismissed