Ted B. Jones v. IMPD, et al.

Summary

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana dismissed Ted B. Jones’s case with prejudice after he failed to comply with an order requiring a properly completed complaint and continued submitting noncompliant filings. The court denied his pending motions to proceed in forma pauperis and for appointed counsel, imposed a two-year filing restriction subject to specified exceptions, and warned that attempts to circumvent the restriction could result in fines or more severe restrictions.

Holdings

1. A plaintiff's failure to comply with an order requiring a proper amended complaint, after being warned that noncompliance would result in dismissal, warranted dismissal of the case with prejudice.
2. A district court may restrict a litigant's future filings when repeated frivolous or noncompliant filings, despite prior admonitions, waste judicial resources and demonstrate continued disregard of court orders.
3. The court denied Jones's pending motions for leave to proceed in forma pauperis and for appointment of counsel.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the action should be dismissed because the plaintiff failed to comply with the court's order requiring a proper amended complaint.
2. Whether the plaintiff's repeated frivolous and noncompliant filings justified restricting his ability to file papers in the district court.
3. Whether the plaintiff's pending motions to proceed in forma pauperis and for appointment of counsel should be denied.

Disposition

dismissed