Handsome Debonair Guy v. Family Dollar Store Owner

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK HANDSOME DEBONAIR GUY, Plaintiff, 23-CV-230 (LTS) -against- ORDER TO AMEND FAMILY DOLLAR STORE OWNER, et al., Defendants.

LAURA TAYLOR SWAIN, Chief United States District Judge: Plaintiff, proceeding pro se and under the name “Handsome Debonair Guy,” filed this action alleging that employees at a Family Dollar Store in Peekskill, New York, accused him of shoplifting, and assaulted him. The Court construes Plaintiff’s submissions as including a request to proceed anonymously.

DISCUSSION A. Proceeding Anonymously Rule 10(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that “[t]he title of [a] complaint must name all the parties.” “This requirement . . . serves the vital purpose of facilitating public scrutiny of judicial proceedings and therefore cannot be set aside lightly.”

Sealed Plaintiff v. Sealed Defendant, 537 F.3d 185, 188-89 (2d Cir. 2008).

Courts have, however, permitted parties to proceed under a pseudonym or anonymously in limited circumstances. In deciding whether to permit a party to proceed anonymously, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has articulated a nonexhaustive list of ten factors that courts should consider: (1) whether the litigation involves matters that are highly sensitive and of a personal nature; (2) whether identification poses a risk of retaliatory physical or mental harm to the party seeking to proceed anonymously or even more critically, to innocent non-parties; (3) whether identification presents other harms and the likely severity of those harms, including whether the injury litigated against would be incurred as a result of the disclosure of plaintiff’s identity; (4) whether the plaintiff is particularly vulnerable to the possible harms of disclosure, particularly in light of his age; (5) whether the suit is challenging the actions of the government or that of private parties; (6) whether the defendant is prejudiced by allowing the plaintiff to press his claims anonymously, whether the nature of that prejudice (if any) differs at any particular stage of the litigation, and whether any prejudice can be mitigated by the district court; (7) whether the plaintiff’s identity has thus far been kept confidential; (8) whether the public’s interest in the litigation is furthered by requiring the plaintiff to disclose his identity; (9) whether, because of the purely legal nature of the issues presented or otherwise, there is an atypically weak public interest in knowing the litigants’ identities; and (10) whether there are any alternative mechanisms for protecting the confidentiality of the plaintiff. Id. at 190 (alterations, ellipses, quotation marks, and citations omitted).

Plaintiff’s complaint fails to comply with Rule 10(a). He brings this action under the pseudonym “Handsome Debonair Guy,” but he does not request permission to proceed anonymously or provide any reason why the Court should permit him to do so.

If Plaintiff wishes to proceed anonymously in this action, he must file a motion to proceed anonymously that states the reasons why the Court should permit him to do so. Any such motion must be captioned as a “Motion to Proceed Anonymously,” and include Plaintiff’s real name, address, and signature. If the Court grants the motion, Plaintiff will be permitted to proceed under the pseudonym.

To comply with rule 10, however, Plaintiff must submit an amended complaint bearing his real name and signature, whether or not he moves for permission to proceed anonymously. If permission is granted, his identity will not be disclosed and access to the amended complaint or any other documents identifying him will be restricted.

B. Filing Fees or IFP Application To proceed with a civil action in this Court, a plaintiff must either pay $402.00 in fees – a $350.00 filing fee plus a $52.00 administrative fee – or, to request authorization to proceed IFP, that is, without prepayment of fees, submit a signed IFP application.

Plaintiff submitted the complaint without the filing fees, and his IFP application uses only the pseudonym “Handsome Debonair Guy.” Within 30 days of the date of this order, Plaintiff must either pay the $402.00 in fees or submit the attached IFP application with his real name, address, and signature. If the Court grants the IFP application, Plaintiff will be permitted to proceed without prepayment of fees. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1).

CONCLUSION The Court directs Plaintiff, within 30 days from the date of this order, to: (1) file an amended complaint with his real name, signature, and address; and (2) either pay the $402.00 in fees or submit an IFP application with his real name, signature, and address.

If Plaintiff wishes to proceed anonymously, he must also, within 30 days, file a Motion to Proceed Anonymously as discussed in this order, with his real name, signature, and address. If Plaintiff submits the requested documents, they should be labeled with docket number 23-CV- (LTS), and mailed or brought to the Court’s Pro Se Intake Unit. If Plaintiff moves to proceed anonymously, and that request is denied, the Court will issue a follow up order directing him to notify the Court whether he wishes to either proceed under his own name, or withdraw the action.

No summons will issue at this time. If Plaintiff fail to comply with this order within the time allowed, the action will be dismissed without prejudice.

An Amended Complaint form and IFP application are attached to this order.

The Court certifies under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) that any appeal from this order would not be taken in good faith, and therefore IFP status is denied for the purpose of an appeal. Cf. Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 444-45 (1962) (holding that an appellant demonstrates good faith when he seeks review of a nonfrivolous issue).

SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 3, 2023 New York, New York /s/ Laura Taylor Swain LAURA TAYLOR SWAIN Chief United States District Judge UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK _____CV_______________ (Include case number if one has been Write the full name of each plaintiff. assigned) AMENDED -against- COMPLAINT Do you want a jury trial? ☐ Yes ☐ No Write the full name of each defendant. If you need more space, please write “see attached” in the space above and attach an additional sheet of paper with the full list of names. The names listed above must be identical to those contained in Section II.

NOTICE The public can access electronic court files. For privacy and security reasons, papers filed with the court should therefore not contain: an individual’s full social security number or full birth date; the full name of a person known to be a minor; or a complete financial account number. A filing may include only: the last four digits of a social security number; the year of an individual’s birth; a minor’s initials; and the last four digits of a financial account number.

See Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2.

I. BASIS FOR JURISDICTION Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction (limited power). Generally, only two types of cases can be heard in federal court: cases involving a federal question and cases involving diversity of citizenship of the parties. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1331, a case arising under the United States Constitution or federal laws or treaties is a federal question case. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1332, a case in which a citizen of one State sues a citizen of another State or nation, and the amount in controversy is more than $75,000, is a diversity case. In a diversity case, no defendant may be a citizen of the same State as any plaintiff.

What is the basis for federal-court jurisdiction in your case? ☐ Federal Question ☐ Diversity of Citizenship A. If you checked Federal Question Which of your federal constitutional or federal statutory rights have been violated?

B. If you checked Diversity of Citizenship 1. Citizenship of the parties Of what State is each party a citizen?

The plaintiff , , is a citizen of the State of (Plaintiff’s name)

(State in which the person resides and intends to remain.) or, if not lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, a citizen or subject of the foreign state of .

If more than one plaintiff is named in the complaint, attach additional pages providing information for each additional plaintiff.

If the defendant is an individual: The defendant, , is a citizen of the State of (Defendant’s name) or, if not lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, a citizen or subject of the foreign state of .

If the defendant is a corporation: The defendant, , is incorporated under the laws of the State of and has its principal place of business in the State of or is incorporated under the laws of (foreign state) and has its principal place of business in .

If more than one defendant is named in the complaint, attach additional pages providing information for each additional defendant.

II. PARTIES A. Plaintiff Information Provide the following information for each plaintiff named in the complaint. Attach additional pages if needed.

First Name Middle Initial Last Name Street Address County, City State Zip Code Telephone Number Email Address (if available) B. Defendant Information To the best of your ability, provide addresses where each defendant may be served. If the correct information is not provided, it could delay or prevent service of the complaint on the defendant. Make sure that the defendants listed below are the same as those listed in the caption. Attach additional pages if needed.

Defendant 1: First Name Last Name Current Job Title (or other identifying information) Current Work Address (or other address where defendant may be served) County, City State Zip Code Defendant 2: First Name Last Name Current Job Title (or other identifying information) Current Work Address (or other address where defendant may be served) County, City State Zip Code Defendant 3: First Name Last Name Current Job Title (or other identifying information) Current Work Address (or other address where defendant may be served) County, City State Zip Code Defendant 4: First Name Last Name Current Job Title (or other identifying information) Current Work Address (or other address where defendant may be served) County, City State Zip Code III. STATEMENT OF CLAIM Place(s) of occurrence: Date(s) of occurrence: FACTS: State here briefly the FACTS that support your case. Describe what happened, how you were harmed, and what each defendant personally did or failed to do that harmed you. Attach additional pages if needed.

INJURIES: If you were injured as a result of these actions, describe your injuries and what medical treatment, if any, you required and received.

IV. RELIEF State briefly what money damages or other relief you want the court to order.

V. PLAINTIFF’S CERTIFICATION AND WARNINGS By signing below, I certify to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief that: (1) the complaint is not being presented for an improper purpose (such as to harass, cause unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of litigation); (2) the claims are supported by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument to change existing law; (3) the factual contentions have evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, will likely have evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for further investigation or discovery; and (4) the complaint otherwise complies with the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11.

I agree to notify the Clerk's Office in writing of any changes to my mailing address. I understand that my failure to keep a current address on file with the Clerk's Office may result in the dismissal of my case.

Each Plaintiff must sign and date the complaint. Attach additional pages if necessary. If seeking to proceed without prepayment of fees, each plaintiff must also submit an IFP application.

Dated Plaintiff’s Signature First Name Middle Initial Last Name Street Address County, City State Zip Code Telephone Number Email Address (if available) I have read the Pro Se (Nonprisoner) Consent to Receive Documents Electronically: ☐ Yes ☐ No If you do consent to receive documents electronically, submit the completed form with your complaint. If you do not consent, please do not attach the form.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK (full name of the plaintiff or petitioner applying (each person must submit a separate application)) CV C J) ¢€ -against- (Provide docket number, if available; if filing this with your complaint, you will not yet have a docket number.) (full name(s) of the defendant(s)/respondent(s)) APPLICATION TO PROCEED WITHOUT PREPAYING FEES OR COSTS Iam a plaintiff/ petitioner in this case and declare that Iam unable to pay the costs of these proceedings and I believe that I am entitled to the relief requested in this action. In support of this application to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) (without prepaying fees or costs), I declare that the responses below are true: 1. Are you incarcerated? L] Yes [] No (If”No,” go to Question 2.)

Iam being held at: Do you receive any payment from this institution? [_] Yes L] No Monthly amount: If lam a prisoner, see 28 U.S.C. § 1915(h), I have attached to this document a “Prisoner Authorization” directing the facility where I am incarcerated to deduct the filing fee from my account in installments and to send to the Court certified copies of my account statements for the past six months. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2), (b). I understand that this means that I will be required to pay the full filing fee.

2, Are you presently employed? L] Yes L] No If “yes,” my employer’s name and address are: Gross monthly pay or wages: If “no,” what was your last date of employment?

Gross monthly wages at the time: 3. In addition to your income stated above (which you should not repeat here), have you or anyone else living at the same residence as you received more than $200 in the past 12 months from any of the following sources? Check all that apply. (a) Business, profession, or other self-employment L] Yes L] No (b) Rent payments, interest, or dividends L] Yes [] No SDNY Rev: 8/5/2015 (c) Pension, annuity, or life insurance payments L] Yes [] No (d) Disability or worker’s compensation payments L] Yes [] No (e) Gifts or inheritances [] Yes [] No (f) Any other public benefits (unemployment, social security, C Yes CO No food stamps, veterans, etc.) (g) Any other sources L] Yes L] No If you answered “Yes” to any question above, describe below or on separate pages each source of money and state the amount that you received and what you expect to receive in the future.

If you answered “No” to all of the questions above, explain how you are paying your expenses: 4. How much money do you have in cash or in a checking, savings, or inmate account?

5. Do you own any automobile, real estate, stock, bond, security, trust, jewelry, art work, or other financial instrument or thing of value, including any item of value held in someone else’s name? If so, describe the property and its approximate value: 6. Do you have any housing, transportation, utilities, or loan payments, or other regular monthly expenses? If so, describe and provide the amount of the monthly expense: 7. List all people who are dependent on you for support, your relationship with each person, and how much you contribute to their support (only provide initials for minors under 18): 8. Do you have any debts or financial obligations not described above? If so, describe the amounts owed and to whom they are payable: Declaration: I declare under penalty of perjury that the above information is true. I understand that a false statement may result in a dismissal of my claims.

Dated Signature Name (Last, First, MI) Prison Identification # {if incarcerated) Address City State Zip Code Telephone Number E-mail Address (if available) IFP Application, page 2 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK Write the full name of each plaintiff or petitioner.

Case No. CV -against- NOTICE OF MOTION Write the full name of each defendant or respondent.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that plaintiff or defendant name of party who is making the motion requests that the Court: Briefly describe what you want the court to do. You should also include the Federal Rule(s) of Civil Procedure or the statute under which you are making the motion, if you know.

In support of this motion, I submit the following documents (check all that apply): CL] amemorandum of law L] my own declaration, affirmation, or affidavit the following additional documents: Dated Signature Name Prison Identification # (if incarcerated) Address City State Zip Code Telephone Number (if available) E-mail Address (if available)