PALMER
v.
STATE OF FLORIDA
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This is a case where a pro se plaintiff, Leo Sean Palmer, filed only a Verified Petition for Emergency Injunction without filing a complaint. The court recommended denying the petition without prejudice because federal courts lack power to issue injunctive relief without an operative complaint that defines the claims and issues in dispute.
A federal court lacks power to issue preliminary injunctive relief absent a properly-filed complaint. Without an operative complaint, the court cannot determine whether the plaintiff has a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of any claims, and the court cannot determine how the requested injunctive relief relates to the claims.
[1] A federal court lacks jurisdiction to entertain a petition for injunctive relief when no complaint has been filed.
[2] Injunctive relief must relate to the relief requested in a complaint.
Previewing 2 of 5 headnotes on this case. FLexlaw’s editorially structured points of law — every proposition, pinpointed — are reserved for members.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“Absent a properly-filed complaint, a court lacks power to issue preliminary injunctive relief. A complaint is required because injunctive relief must relate in some fashion to the relief requested in the complaint.”
Establishes the fundamental requirement that an operative complaint must precede any injunctive relief in federal court.
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceLeo Sean Palmer, proceeding pro se, filed a Verified Petition for Emergency Injunction as his initial pleading without filing a complaint. The petitio…
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ON PLAINTIFF’S VERIFIED PETITION FOR EMERGENCY INJUNCTION
This cause comes before the Court sua sponte upon a review of the record. To initiate this litigation, Plaintiff Leo Sean Palmer, proceeding pro se, only filed a Verified Petition for Emergency Injunction. DE 1. Plaintiff did not file a Complaint. Without a Complaint, the Court cannot evaluate Plaintiff's Verified Petition for Emergency Injunction. See Hency v. United Airlines, Inc., No. 21- 61702-CIV, 2021 WL 3634630, at *2 (S.D. Fla. Aug. 17, 2021) (“Absent a properly-filed complaint, a court lacks power to issue preliminary injunctive relief. A complaint is required because injunctive relief must relate in some fashion to the relief requested in the complaint.” (quotation marks and citation omitted)); id. (“Without an operative complaint, the Court cannot determine whether Plaintiffs have a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of any claims."); see also Adair v. England, 193 F. Supp. 2d 196, 200 (D.D.C. 2002) (“When no complaint is filed, the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the plaintiff's petition for injunctive relief.”). Accordingly, the Court RECOMMENDS DENYING WITHOUT PREJUDICE Plaintiff's Verified Petition for Emergency Injunction [DE 1]. The Court leaves to the discretion of the District Judge assigned to this case whether to close this case or to permit Plaintiff to file a Complaint. [fn 1]
Within fourteen days after being served with a copy of this Report and Recommendation, any party may serve and file written objections to any of the above findings and recommendations. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); S.D. Fla. Mag. R. 4(b). The parties are hereby notified that a failure to timely object waives the right to challenge on appeal the District Court's order based on unobjected-to factual and legal conclusions contained in this Report and Recommendation. 11th Cir. R. 3-1.
The Clerk of Court is directed to mail a copy of this report and recommendation to Plaintiff at the address listed below.
2025. DONE AND SUBMITTED in Chambers at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this 21st day of July,
PANAYOTTA AUGUSTIN-BIRCH
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Copies to: Leo Sean Palmer 1595 Palm Bay Road, #1009 Palm Bay, FL 32905
[fn 1]: From the Court's review of the Verified Petition for Emergency Injunction, it appears that Plaintiff is attempting to obtain an injunction to enjoin his pending prosecution for state crimes in Broward County Case Number 25002602CF10A. See DE 1 at 1-2 (complaining of the conduct of Judge Ernest A. Kollra and requesting "a temporary and permanent injunction against further prosecution, orders, and proceedings until proper jurisdiction is established"). If that is the case, Plaintiff bears a significant burden of persuasion. See Hughes v. Att’y Gen. of Fla., 377 F. 3d 1258, 1262–63 (11th Cir. 2004) (“In Younger [v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37 (1971)], the Supreme Court established that absent extraordinary circumstances federal courts should not enjoin pending state criminal prosecutions. This decision was based not on jurisdiction, but on the principles of equity and comity." (quotation marks and citations omitted)); see also id. at 1263 n.6 ("In Younger, the Supreme Court set out three exceptions to the abstention doctrine: (1) there is evidence of state proceedings motivated by bad faith, (2) irreparable injury would occur, or (3) there is no adequate alternative state forum where the constitutional issues can be raised.").
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Palmer v. State (S.D. Fla. 2025)…led a Verified Petition for Emergency Injunction. DE 1. Plaintiff did not file a Complaint. Without a Complaint, the Court cannot evaluate Plaintiff's Verified Petition for Emergency Injunction. See Hency v. United Airlines, Inc., No. 21- 61702-CIV, 2021 WL 3634630, at *2 (S.D. Fla. Aug. 17, 2021) (“Absent a properly-filed complaint, a court lacks power to issue preliminary injunctive relief. A complaint is required because injunctive relief must relate in some fashion to the relief requested in the complaint.…
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Lohstreter v. English, 2020 WL 3847839 (N.D. Fla. 2024)
Authorities Cited
- Hughes v. Attorney General OF Florida, 377 F.3d 1258 (11th Cir. 2004)
- Heagney v. Metz, 2012 WL 1900559 (M.D. Fla. 2022)
- Palmer v. State (S.D. Fla. 2025)