The JS-44 civil cover sheet, a critical document in the landscape of U.S. federal litigation, serves a unique, multifaceted purpose in the judiciary's administrative processes. Approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States back in September 1974, this form is indispensable for the Clerk of Court to initiate the civil docket sheet. Though the sheet itself does not replace the necessity for the filing and service of pleadings or other legal papers as mandated by law, it complements these requirements within the framework provided by local court rules. With careful sections crafted to capture information ranging from the parties' details, nature of the suit, to jurisdictional bases, the form acts as a thorough introductory snapshot of the case at hand. It guides through plaintiffs and defendants, specifying residencies and representation, while delineating the legal foundation of the claim—be it a federal question, diversity of citizenship, or otherwise. Additionally, it navigates through the complexity of jurisdictions, aiding in the smooth categorization and assignment of cases. The JS-44 form also underscores the importance of detailing the cause of action, requests made in the complaint, and any demands for jury trial, painting a comprehensive picture for the court's preliminary understanding of the suit. Lastly, by allowing for the notation of related cases, it ensures an efficient, informed judicial process by linking interconnected litigations. This form, thus, stands as a testament to the judiciary's commitment to order, efficiency, and a systematic approach to handling civil cases.
Question | Answer |
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Form Name | Form Js 44 |
Form Length | 3 pages |
Fillable? | No |
Fillable fields | 0 |
Avg. time to fill out | 45 sec |
Other names | js 44 form, js 44 civil cover, form js 44 printable, form js44 |
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Case |
Document |
OJS 44 (Rev. 3/99) |
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CIVIL COVER SHEET |
The
I. (a) PLAINTIFFS Boustani, et al. |
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DEFENDANTS J. Kenneth Blackwell |
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(b) County of Residence of First Listed Plaintiff |
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County of Residence of First Listed |
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(EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) |
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(IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY) |
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NOTE: IN LAND CONDEMNATION CASES, USE THE LOCATION OF THE |
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LAND INVOLVED. |
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(c) Attorney’s (Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Number) |
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Attorneys (If Known) |
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II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION |
(Place an “X” in One Box Only) |
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III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES(Place an “X” in One Box for |
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(For Diversity Cases Only) |
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and One Box for Defendant) |
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PTF |
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DEF |
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PTF |
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DEF |
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Γ 1 |
U.S. Government |
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3 |
Federal Question |
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Citizen of This State |
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Incorporated OR Principal Place |
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Plaintiff |
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(U.S. Government Not a Party) |
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of Business In This State |
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U.S. Government |
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Diversity |
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Citizen of Another State |
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Incorporated AND Principal |
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Γ 5 |
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Defendant |
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(Indicate Citizenship of Parties |
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of Business In Another State |
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in Item III) |
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Γ |
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Γ 3 |
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Citizen or Subject of a |
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Foreign Nation |
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Foreign Country |
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IV. NATURE OF SUIT |
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(Place an “X” in One Box Only) |
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CONTRACT |
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TORTS |
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FORFEITURE/PENALTY |
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BANKRUPTCY |
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OTHER STATUTES |
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110 Insurance |
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PERSONAL INJURY |
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PERSONAL INJURY |
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610 Agriculture |
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422 Appeal 28 USC 158 |
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400 State Reapportionment |
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120 Marine |
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310 Airplane |
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362 Personal Injury— |
Γ 620 Other Food & Drug |
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410 Antitrust |
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130 Miller Act |
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315 Airplane Product |
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Med. Malpractice |
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625 Drug Related Seizure |
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423 Withdrawal |
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430 Banks and Banking |
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140 Negotiable Instrument |
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Liability |
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Γ 365 Personal Injury — |
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of Property 21 USC 881 |
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28 USC 157 |
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450 Commerce/ICC Rates/etc. |
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Γ 150 Recovery of Overpayment |
Γ 320 Assault, Libel & |
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Product Liability |
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630 Liquor Laws |
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460 Deportation |
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& Enforcement of |
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Slander |
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368 Asbestos Personal |
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640 R.R. & Truck |
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PROPERTY RIGHTS |
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470 Racketeer Influenced and |
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Judgment |
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Γ |
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151 Medicare Act |
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330 Federal Employers’ |
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Injury Product |
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650 Airline Regs. |
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820 Copyrights |
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Corrupt Organizations |
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Γ 152 Recovery of Defaulted |
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Liability |
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Liability |
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660 Occupational |
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810 Selective Service |
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830 Patent |
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Student Loans |
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340 Marine |
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PERSONAL PROPERTY |
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Safety/Health |
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850 Securities/Commodities/ |
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840 Trademark |
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(Excl. Veterans) |
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345 Marine Product |
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370 Other Fraud |
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690 Other |
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Exchange |
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Γ 153 Recovery of Overpayment |
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Liability |
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Γ 371 Truth in Lending |
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875 Customer Challenge |
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LABOR |
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SOCIAL SECURITY |
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of Veteran’s Benefits |
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350 Motor Vehicle |
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380 Other Personal |
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12 USC 3410 |
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160 Stockholders’ Suits |
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355 Motor Vehicle |
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Property Damage |
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710 Fair Labor Standards |
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861 HIA (1395ff) |
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891 Agricultural Acts |
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190 Other Contract |
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Product Liability |
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385 Property Damage |
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892 Economic Stabilization Act |
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Act |
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862 Black Lung (923) |
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Γ 195 Contract Product Liability |
Γ 360 Other Personal Injury |
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Product Liability |
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893 Environmental Matters |
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720 Labor/Mgmt. Relations |
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863 DIWC/DIWW (405(g)) |
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894 Energy Allocation Act |
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REAL |
PROPERTY |
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RIGHTS |
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PRISONER |
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PETITIONS |
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Γ 864 SSID Title XVI |
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895 Freedom of |
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730 Labor/Mgmt.Reporting |
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865 RSI (405(g)) |
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Information Act |
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210 Land Condemnation |
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441 Voting |
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510 Motions to Vacate |
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& Disclosure Act |
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FEDERAL TAX SUITS |
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9 0 0 A p p e a l |
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220 Foreclosure |
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442 Employment |
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Sentence |
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740 Railway Labor Act |
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Determination |
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Under Equal Access to |
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Γ 230 Rent Lease & Ejectment |
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443 Housing/ |
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Habeas Corpus: |
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Γ 870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff |
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Justice |
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Γ 240 Torts to Land |
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Accommodations |
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530 General |
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790 Other Labor Litigation |
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Γ 245 Tort Product Liability |
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444 Welfare |
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535 Death Penalty |
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or Defendant) |
950 Constitutionality of |
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State Statutes |
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Γ 290 All Other Real Property |
Γ 440 Other Civil Rights |
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Γ 540 Mandamus & Other |
Γ 791 Empl. Ret. Inc. |
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Γ 871 |
Γ |
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890 Other Statutory Actions |
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550 Civil Rights |
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Security Act |
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26 USC 7609 |
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Γ |
555 Prison Condition |
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V. ORIGIN |
(PLACE AN “X” IN ONE BOX ONLY) |
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Transferred from |
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Appeal to District |
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another district |
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Judge from |
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Γ 1 |
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Γ 3 |
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Γ |
Reinstated or Γ |
Γ 6 Multidistrict |
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7 Magistrate |
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Original |
Removed from |
Remanded from |
5 (specify) |
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Proceeding |
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State Court |
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Appellate Court |
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Reopened |
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Litigation |
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Judgment |
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VI. CAUSE OF ACTION |
(Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing and write brief statement of cause. |
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Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity.) |
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VII. REQUESTED IN COMPLAINT:
Γ
CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS ACTION DEMAND |
CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint: |
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UNDER F.R.C.P. 23 |
JURY DEMAND: |
Γ Yes Γ No |
VIII. RELATED CASE(S) IF ANY
(See instructions):
JUDGE
DOCKET NUMBER
DATE
SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
RECEIPT # |
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AMOUNT |
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APPLYING IFP |
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JUDGE |
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MAG. JUDGE |
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JS 44 Reverse (Rev. 3/99)
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTORNEYS COMPLETING CIVIL COVER SHEET FORM
Authority For Civil Cover Sheet
The
I.(a)
(b.) County of Residence. For each civil case filed, except U.S. plaintiff cases, enter the name of the county where the first listed plaintiff resides at the time of filing. In U.S. plaintiff cases, enter the name of the county in which the first listed defendant resides at the time of filing. (NOTE: In land condemnation cases, the county of residence of the “defendant” is the location of the tract of land involved.)
(c)Attorneys. Enter the firm name, address, telephone number, and attorney of record. If there are several attorneys, list them on an attachment, noting in this section “(see attachment)”.
II.Jurisdiction. The basis of jurisdiction is set forth under Rule 8(a), F.R.C.P., which requires that jurisdictions be shown in pleadings. Place an “X” in one of the boxes. If there is more than one basis of jurisdiction, precedence is given in the order shown below.
United States plaintiff. (1) Jurisdiction based on 28 U.S.C. 1345 and 1348. Suits by agencies and officers of the United States, are included here.
United States defendant. (2) When the plaintiff is suing the United States, its officers or agencies, place an “X” in this box.
Federal question. (3) This refers to suits under 28 U.S.C. 1331, where jurisdiction arises under the Constitution of the United States, an amendment to the Constitution, an act of Congress or a treaty of the United States. In cases where the U.S. is a party, the U.S. plaintiff or defendant code takes precedence, and box 1 or 2 should be marked.
Diversity of citizenship. (4) This refers to suits under 28 U.S.C. 1332, where parties are citizens of different states. When Box 4 is checked, the citizenship of the different parties must be checked. (See Section III below; federal question actions take precedence over diversity cases.)
III.Residence (citizenship) of Principal Parties. This section of the
IV. Nature of Suit. Place an “X” in the appropriate box. If the nature of suit cannot be determined, be sure the cause of action, in Section IV below, is sufficient to enable the deputy clerk or the statistical clerks in the Administrative Office to determine the nature of suit. If the cause fits more than one nature of suit, select the most definitive.
V.Origin. Place an “X” in one of the seven boxes.
Original Proceedings. (1) Cases which originate in the United States district courts.
Removed from State Court. (2) Proceedings initiated in state courts may be removed to the district courts under Title 28 U.S.C., Section 1441. When the petition for removal is granted, check this box.
Remanded from Appellate Court. (3) Check this box for cases remanded to the district court for further action. Use the date of remand as the filing date.
Reinstated or Reopened. (4) Check this box for cases reinstated or reopened in the district court. Use the reopening date as the filing date.
Transferred from Another District. (5) For cases transferred under Title 28 U.S.C. Section 1404(a) Do not use this for within district transfers or multidistrict litigation transfers.
Multidistrict Litigation. (6) Check this box when a multidistrict case is transferred into the district under authority of Title 28 U.S.C. Section 1407. When this box is checked, do not check (5) above.
Appeal to District Judge from Magistrate Judgment. (7) Check this box for an appeal from a magistrate judge’s decision.
VI. |
Cause of Action. Report the civil statute directly related to the cause of action and give a brief description of the cause. |
VII. Requested in Complaint. Class Action. Place an “X” in this box if you are filing a class action under Rule 23, F.R.Cv.P.
Demand. In this space enter the dollar amount (in thousands of dollars) being demanded or indicate other demand such as a preliminary injunction.
Jury Demand. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether or not a jury is being demanded.
VIII. Related Cases. This section of the
Date and Attorney Signature. Date and sign the civil cover sheet.
Case
Counsel for Plaintiffs: |
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Meredith |
Wendy Weiser |
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ACLU Southern Regional Office |
Justin Levitt |
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2600 Marquis One Tower |
Brennan Center for Justice |
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245 Peachtree Center Avenue |
NYU School of Law |
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Atlanta, GA 30303 |
161 Avenue of the Americas |
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(404) |
12th Floor |
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(404) |
New York, NY 10013 |
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(212) |
Subodh Chandra (OH 69233) |
(212) |
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2275 Chestnut Hills Drive |
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Cleveland, OH |
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(216) |
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(216) |
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Carrie L. Davis (OH 77041) ACLU of Ohio
4506 Chester Ave Cleveland, OH 44103 (216)
(216)
Daniel P. Tokaji
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law* 55 W. 12th Ave. Columbus, OH 43210 (614)
(614)
*Institutional affiliation provided for purposes of identification only
Jon Greenbaum
Ben Blustein
Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
1401 New York Avenue, NW Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005 (202)
(202)