1983.
(a) Proceeding Under 42 U.S.C. § 1983: Generally, a complaint pursuant to §
1983 may be filed by a state prisoner against a person or persons acting under the
authority of state law who violates the prisoner’s constitutional or federal statutory rights
or to challenge prison conditions that violate the prisoner’s constitutional or federal
statutory rights. In addition, a current federal prisoner who was in the custody of state
authorities may also file a complaint pursuant to § 1983 for the same reasons.
(b) Use of Court-Approved Forms: To properly file a complaint pursuant to §
1983, pro se prisoners must use the Court-approved form titled “State Civil Rights
Complaint Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983” and must answer every question and complete
the form in its entirety.
