Jibrail Malik Muhammad, Sr. v. Tyrone Hatcher

Summary

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama overruled the plaintiff’s objections under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72(a) to a magistrate judge’s order requiring an amended complaint. The court held that the order was neither clearly erroneous nor contrary to law and directed the plaintiff to file an amended complaint within thirty days, warning that failure to comply could result in dismissal.

Holdings

1. A district court will not alter a magistrate judge's nondispositive pretrial order under Rule 72(a) absent clear error or a ruling contrary to law, and Muhammad failed to establish either ground.
2. Muhammad was directed to file an amended complaint complying with the magistrate judge's order within thirty days; failure to do so would result in dismissal for failure to comply with court orders or otherwise pursue the litigation.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the magistrate judge's order requiring Muhammad to amend his complaint to correct shotgun pleading deficiencies was clearly erroneous or contrary to law under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72(a).
2. Whether the district court should overrule Muhammad's objections and affirm the magistrate judge's order.

Disposition

affirmed