Rights or Writs of Habeas Corpus
Civil Rights Complaints
Original Complaint regarding Civil Rights
Every complaint filed by a person in state or federal custody who is pro se (not represented by an
attorney) complaining of violation of their constitutional rights by a state or federal official must be
typed or legibly written on forms supplied by the court and signed by the detainee. The detainee
must follow the instructions provided with the forms and complete the forms using only one side of
the page.
The detainee may attach no more than five typewritten or ten legible handwritten additional pages,
with typing or writing on only one side of the page. Complaints that do not comply with this rule
and are not corrected after notice may be stricken by the Clerk of Court.
Separate Complaints regarding Civil Rights
Detainees may not file joint complaints. Each detainee must file an individual complaint. No
detainee may represent another detainee.
In Forma Pauperis Status
A detainee who is unable to pay the filing fee may file a motion to proceed in forma pauperis. The
motion must be filed on a form approved by the court. The Clerk of Court, after notice, may strike a
complaint that is not accompanied by either the filing fee or a proper motion to proceed in forma
pauperis.
Writs of Habeas Corpus
Original Petition Writs of Habeas Corpus
Every original Petition filed by a person in state or federal custody who is proceeding pro se (not
represented by an attorney) seeking a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 or 28 U.S.C.
§ 2254 or § 2255 must be typed or legibly written on forms supplied by the court and signed by the
detainee. The detainee must follow the instructions provided with the forms and complete the forms
using only one side of the page. After completely filling out the court approved form, the detainee
may attach additional pages containing additional information.
Separate Complaints regarding a Writ of Habeas Corpus
Detainees may not file joint petitions. Each detainee must file an individual petition. No detainee
may represent another detainee.
In Forma Pauperis Status
A detainee who is unable to pay the filing fee may file a motion to proceed in forma pauperis. The
motion must be filed on a form approved by the court. The Clerk of Court, after notice, may strike a
petition that is not accompanied by either the filing fee or a proper motion to proceed in forma
pauperis.
LOCAL CIVIL RULE 5 - SERVICE AND FILING OF PLEADINGS
AND OTHER PAPERS
