Alevras v. Suffolk County Jail et al

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
KESHIA SOPHIA ALEVRAS,
Plaintiff,
v.
SUFFOLK COUNTY JAIL, et al.,
Defendants.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Civil Action No. 25-cv-12352-AK
ORDER
KELLEY, D.J.
Plaintiff Keshia Sophia Alevras, who is representing herself, commenced this action on
August 25, 2025 by filing a civil complaint and a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis.
The complaint concerns conditions of confinement at the Suffolk County House of Correction,
where Alevras was confined at the time.1 The motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis
remains pending. Between September 18, 2025 until the present day, Alevras has filed nineteen
additional motions, including motions to amend her complaint, motions for appointment of
counsel, and motions for extension of time. At this point, it is difficult to define Alevras’s
claims. To help this case move forward, the Court orders as follows:
1. 	The Court GRANTS the motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. [Dkt. 2].
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1), the Court assesses an initial partial filing fee in the amount
of $10.42. The remainder of the $350 statutory filing fee ($339.58) shall be collected in
1 Alevras represents that she has been transferred to the Norfolk County Jail, and she asks that
her mail be sent to an address in Boston. [Dkt. 32]. The clerk shall update the docket of this
case accordingly.
Case 1:25-cv-12352-AK Document 33 Filed 02/09/26 Page 1 of 3

2
accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2). The Clerk shall send a copy of this order to the
treasurer of the institution having custody of Alevras.
2. 	If Alevras wishes to continue with this action, she must, within thirty-five (35)
days, file an amended complaint. The amended complaint will completely replace the original
complaint and any claims in her motions to amend. The Court will review the sufficiency of the
amended complaint without reference to her earlier filings in this case.
The title of the amended complaint must list all the defendants. If Alevras names more
than one defendant in the amended complaint, the claims in the amended complaint must be
“related,” meaning that the claims “aris[e] of the same transaction, occurrence or series of
transactions or occurrences” and “any question of law or fact common to all defendants will arise
in the action .” Fed. R. Civ. P. 20(a)(2).
The amended complaint must contain a “short and plain” statement of Alevras’s claim
or claims for relief. “Each allegation [in the amended complaint] must be simple, concise, and
direct.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(d)(1). Alevras must state her claims “in numbered paragraphs, each
limited as far as practicable to a single set of circumstances.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 10(b). The factual
allegations in the amended complaint, treated as true, must show that Alevras is entitled to relief
from each defendant.
In other words, when the Court (or a defendant) reviews the amended complaint, it
should be clear to the Court who the defendants are and the alleged misconduct of each
defendant. This alleged misconduct, treated as true, must show that Alevras is entitled to relief
from each defendant under a specific, identifiable legal theory.
Failure to timely file an amended complaint will result in dismissal of this action without
prejudice. However, Alevras will remain obligated to make payments towards the
Case 1:25-cv-12352-AK Document 33 Filed 02/09/26 Page 2 of 3

3
$350 statutory filing fee regardless of the duration or outcome of this action. See 28 U.S.C.
§ 1915.
3. 	The motions for appointment of counsel [Dkts. 9, 11] are DENIED WITHOUT
PREJUDICE to renewal if summonses later issue and the defendants are served with
summonses and the amended complaint.
Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1), the Court “may request an attorney to represent any
person unable to afford counsel.” 28 U.S.C. §1915(e)(1). However, a civil plaintiff lacks a
constitutional right to free counsel. See DesRosiers v. Moran, 949 F.2d 15, 23 (1st Cir. 1991). In
addition, the Court does not have funds to pay attorneys. Instead, the Court must find attorneys
who are willing to donate their time. Thus, the Court generally does not appoint a pro bono
attorney until the Court is satisfied that the plaintiff’s allegations are sufficient to state a claim
upon which relief may be granted.
4. 	To the extent not mooted by the above paragraphs, all other pending motions are
DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Alevras is warned against the filing of duplicative
motions before the Court has had time to resolve those motions that are pending. Should Alevras
continue to file such motions, the Court will consider limiting their ability to file without prior
approval.
SO ORDERED.
Dated: February 9, 2026 	/s/ Angel Kelley_________________
Hon. Angel Kelley
United States District Judge
Case 1:25-cv-12352-AK Document 33 Filed 02/09/26 Page 3 of 3