UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

[PLACEHOLDER DISTRICT NAME] DISTRICT OF [STATE]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header ........................................................................................................................... 1
2. Preliminary Statement & Recitals ............................................................................................... 2
3. Jurisdiction & Venue ...................................................................................................................... 2
4. Parties ............................................................................................................................................... 3
5. Definitions (Optional) .................................................................................................................... 4
6. Factual Allegations ......................................................................................................................... 4
7. Operative Provisions / Causes of Action .................................................................................. 6
8. Injunctive & Declaratory Relief .................................................................................................. 8
9. Damages .......................................................................................................................................... 9
10. Jury Demand ................................................................................................................................ 9
11. General Provisions ...................................................................................................................... 10
12. Signature Block ........................................................................................................................... 11
13. Verification (if required) .......................................................................................................... 12

[// GUIDANCE: Remove Table of Contents if local rules or judge’s preferences discourage it.]

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

Case No. ____
Judge: ________

[PLAINTIFF NAME(S)],
Plaintiff(s),

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME(S)],
Defendant(s).

COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES, DECLARATORY, AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
(42 U.S.C. § 1983)

II. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT & RECITALS

1. This is a civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 seeking redress for the deprivation of rights secured by the United States Constitution and federal law.
2. Plaintiff(s) allege that Defendant(s) [IDENTIFY CONDUCT] violated Plaintiff(s)’ [SPECIFY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT(S)] through actions taken under color of state law.
3. Plaintiff(s) seek injunctive relief, declaratory relief, compensatory damages, punitive damages (where legally available), costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988.

[// GUIDANCE: Insert concise narrative overview. Keep it factual, not argumentative.]

III. JURISDICTION & VENUE

1. This Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 (federal question) and 1343(a)(3) (civil rights).
2. Supplemental jurisdiction over related state-law claims, if any, is proper under 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a).
3. Venue lies in this District under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b) because a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claims occurred in this District and/or at least one Defendant resides here.

IV. PARTIES

A. Plaintiff(s)
1. [PLAINTIFF NAME] is a resident of [COUNTY, STATE] and, at all relevant times, was [STATUS/ROLE].

B. Defendant(s)
1. [DEFENDANT NAME] is a [TITLE / POSITION] employed by [GOVERNMENT ENTITY] and acted under color of state law at all relevant times.
2. Municipal Entity: [CITY/COUNTY/AGENCY] is a governmental entity subject to suit under Monell and is responsible for the policies, practices, and customs complained of herein.

[// GUIDANCE: Add additional defendants individually and/or in their official capacities as needed.]

V. DEFINITIONS (OPTIONAL)

For clarity, the following terms, when capitalized, have the meanings set forth below:

“Incident” – The events occurring on or about [DATE] at [LOCATION] giving rise to this action.
“Policy” – Any written or unwritten rule, custom, or practice of Defendant [MUNICIPAL ENTITY].

[// GUIDANCE: Omit if unnecessary; definitions are uncommon in complaints but may aid complex factual matters.]

VI. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

1. On [DATE], at approximately [TIME], Plaintiff was located at [LOCATION].
2. Defendant [NAME] approached Plaintiff and [DESCRIBE ACT].
3. Defendant(s) [DETAIL SPECIFIC ACTIONS OR OMISSIONS], causing [INJURY/DEPRIVATION].
4. At all relevant times, Defendant(s) acted intentionally, recklessly, and/or with deliberate indifference to Plaintiff’s constitutional rights.
5. [Municipal Entity] maintained policies or customs that were the moving force behind the constitutional violations, including:
   a. Failure to train officers adequately regarding [TOPIC];
   b. Tolerance of prior similar misconduct; and
   c. [ADDITIONAL POLICY FAILURES].

[// GUIDANCE: Use numbered paragraphs per Fed. R. Civ. P. 10(b). Include dates, times, and specific conduct.]

VII. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS / CAUSES OF ACTION

Count I – 42 U.S.C. § 1983 – [SPECIFIC RIGHT] Violation
1. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1–__ above.
2. Defendant(s) deprived Plaintiff of rights secured by the [AMENDMENT] by [SPECIFIC ACT].
3. Defendant(s) acted under color of state law.
4. As a direct and proximate result, Plaintiff suffered damages including [PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, ECONOMIC, ETC.].

Count II – Monell Liability Against [MUNICIPAL ENTITY]
1. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs – above.
2. The deprivation resulted from an official policy, practice, or custom, including [LIST].
3. The aforementioned policy/custom was the moving force behind the constitutional violation(s).
4. Plaintiff incurred damages as set forth herein.

[// GUIDANCE: Add additional counts (e.g., First Amendment Retaliation, Excessive Force, Equal Protection) as appropriate. For state-law claims (false arrest, assault, etc.), ensure compliance with notice-of-claim statutes and plead supplemental jurisdiction.]

VIII. INJUNCTIVE & DECLARATORY RELIEF

1. Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law for the ongoing and irreparable harm caused by Defendant(s).
2. Plaintiff seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction enjoining Defendant(s) from [SPECIFIC CONDUCT] and ordering [AFFIRMATIVE RELIEF, e.g., training, policy revision].
3. Plaintiff requests declaratory judgment that Defendant(s)’ actions violated Plaintiff’s rights under the [AMENDMENT/STATUTE].

IX. DAMAGES

1. Compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial, including but not limited to:
   a. Physical injury;
   b. Emotional distress;
   c. Lost wages/earning capacity;
   d. Medical expenses.
2. Punitive damages against the individually-named Defendant(s) to deter similar conduct, as permitted by law.
3. Attorney’s fees and costs under 42 U.S.C. § 1988.
4. Pre- and post-judgment interest as allowed by law.

X. JURY DEMAND

Plaintiff demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable as a matter of right under the Seventh Amendment and Fed. R. Civ. P. 38.

XI. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Reservation of Rights: Plaintiff reserves the right to amend this Complaint to conform to discovery pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 15.
2. Severability: Should any portion of this Complaint be deemed invalid, the remaining allegations and claims shall remain in full force and effect.
3. Relief Requested: All relief, whether legal or equitable, that the Court deems just and proper is hereby requested.

[// GUIDANCE: General provisions are not typical in complaints; include only if useful for specific strategy.]

XII. SIGNATURE BLOCK

Respectfully submitted,

DATED: [DATE]

[LAW FIRM NAME]
By: _____
[ATTORNEY NAME], Esq.
[STATE BAR NO.]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]
Counsel for Plaintiff(s)

XIII. VERIFICATION (IF REQUIRED BY LOCAL RULE OR STATE-LAW CLAIM)

I, [PLAINTIFF NAME], verify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing allegations are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Executed on [DATE] at [CITY, STATE].

[PLAINTIFF NAME]

END OF TEMPLATE

[// GUIDANCE:
1. Confirm local rules (e.g., civil cover sheet, summons, notice-of-claim prerequisites).
2. Check statute-of-limitations applicability for each claim.
3. Attach exhibits (police reports, medical records, photographs) as necessary and reference them within the Complaint.
4. For injunctive relief, contemporaneously file a motion for preliminary injunction with supporting memorandum and declarations. ]