INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING A CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT

INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
FOR FILING A CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT
PURSUANT TO 42 U.S.C. § 1983
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEVADA
YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN YOUR COMPLAINT
NOT BEING FILED AND CONSIDERED BY THE COURT
A. General Information About The Civil Rights Complaint Form:
1. The civil rights complaint form is designed to help you prepare a complaint seeking relief
under the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Local Rule 215 requires the use of the civil rights
complaint form by anyone not represented by counsel, that is, if they are proceeding pro se. For your
complaint to be considered by the District Court, it must be typewritten or legibly handwritten. (See
Local Rule 130-1). NOTE: DO NOT WRITE ON THE BACK OF ANY OF THE PAGES; any
writing on the back of any page might not be considered by the court. All information must be
clearly and concisely written, only in the space provided on the form, and only one line of
writing per line provided. Do not write in the margins. Additional space has been provided at
the bottom of the last page of the form for continuing allegations contained in Parts B or C. If
needed, you may attach two additional pages of standard letter size paper to complete Parts B & C
of the complaint. Be sure you make identify the count or claim to which the continued information
applies. If you add more than the two pages, you must file a motion for leave of court (permission)
to file the longer than normal complaint at the time you submit the complaint. This two page
limitation only applies to pages added to Parts B & C.
2. You must sign the complaint, which constitutes a certificate that: 1) you have read the
complaint; 2) to the best of your knowledge, information and belief formed after reasonable inquiry
it is well grounded in fact and law; and 3) it is not being filed for any improper purpose. You should
review Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Note also that Rule 11 provides for the
imposition of sanctions if the complaint is signed in violation of the rule. Additionally, if a court
finds that you have engaged in sanctionable conduct (such as pursuing a frivolous or malicious
action), and if you are under the control of the Nevada Department of Prisons, you can be disciplined
under the Prisons’ Code of Penal Discipline, which can include all sanctions authorized under the
Code including punitive confinement and the loss of good time credits.
3. If you do not meet the requirements for proceeding in forma pauperis or the payment of a
lower filing fee, then the full filing fee of three hundred and fifty dollars ($350.00) must accompany
the complaint. You will also be responsible for paying the service fees of the individual you choose
to serve the complaint. Be advised that you cannot hire the U.S. Marshal to perform service of
process; the U.S. Marshal will perform service of process only when ordered to do so by the Court.
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provide an inexpensive means for effecting service of process
by obtaining a waiver from the defendant(s). See Rule 4(d).
4. If you are currently residing in a county that is part of the unofficial Northern Division, then
you should mail your complaint to the Reno address; if you are currently residing in a county that
is part of the unofficial Southern Division, then you should mail your complaint to the Las Vegas
address. The counties in the unofficial Southern Division are Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln and Nye.
All other counties are in the unofficial Northern Division. See Local Rule LR IA 6-1 and Local Rule
LR 8-1. Once your case is filed, a copy will be sent to you by the Clerk of the Court.