Civil Rights Complaint (Page 4 of 12) in pdf

Cause of Action: In this section, you are required to provide specific details of

precisely how your civil right allegedly was violated. This description should include references to

relevant dates, times, and locations. It should explain to the court what happened by specifically

describing each defendant's behavior or action and how that behavior or action -- or lack of action

-resulted in the violation of your right. You are not required to cite other cases in the law or to make

a legal argument. However, you must be specific about (i) the particulars of the event, (ii) each

defendant's misconduct, and how such misconduct resulted in a violation or denial of the civil right

at issue in the case.

Where your complaint includes more than one incident, you should clearly distinguish

between them by preparing a separate description -- usually a paragraph -- for each incident. Each

incident should be identified as a separate count, and each count must include appropriate facts and

evidence in support of the claims made in the count. Each incident must be clearly and specifically

described; it should include the relevant time, date, and location. Each incident description also

should clearly identify the relevant defendant and what that defendant's role was in the incident.

If your case involves an allegation that two or more defendants jointly conspired to violate

your civil rights, you must, in a separate count, state the approximate date the defendants entered into

the conspiracy. Moreover, in the supporting facts, you should refer to any evidence you have that

the defendants indeed did conspire together to violate your civil right.

Injury: In this section you must state as specifically as possible the actual injury you

suffered from the action of the defendant that resulted in the alleged violation of your civil right.

Simply stating that your civil right has been violated is insufficient and will do little to persuade the

judge that you have suffered an injury for which you should be compensated. As the plaintiff, you

must explain to the judge how the action of the defendant(s) harmed you and violated your civil

rights.

Previous Lawsuits and Administrative Relief: It is important, in this section, that

you alert the judge to any other case in which you are or were a party that may be connected with the

case you now are filing. If, for example, you filed an earlier case that includes some of the same

facts and events you rely on for this case, the court needs to know. If you have submitted a formal

complaint to an agency of the state on the issues you raise in this case, or if you previously asked for

or participated in an administrative review process to attempt to solve the problem, you must tell the

court the results, if any, of your action.

Request for Relief: In this section, you describe for the judge the result or relief

you seek as a result of your lawsuit. The relief you request must be related specifically to the injury

you have suffered.

Civil Rights Complaint Page 4