green
Positive treatment
Quoted verbatim 2×
86.1 score
G Cite
cited 6× by 6 distinct cases, 2025–2026 ·
…because a court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over an obviously frivolous complaint, dismissal prior to service of process is permitted.
at p. 248
✓
cited 3× by 3 distinct cases, 2024–2025 ·
…a federal court has an independent obligation to assess its subject-matter jurisdiction, and it will raise a lack of subject-matter jurisdiction on its own motion.
at p. 248
⚠ not in text
Topic ↗
cited 3× by 3 distinct cases, 2025–2026 ·
…in addition, because the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over an obviously frivolous complaint, dismissal prior to service of process is permitted.
at p. 248
✓
Treatment trajectory · 2019 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2019
2022
2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers.
How cited ↗
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
Burnett v. District Court of Maryland
because a court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over an obviously frivolous complaint, dismissal prior to service of process is permitted.
discussed
Cited as authority (verbatim quote)
Burnett v. Garmatz
because a court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over an obviously frivolous complaint, dismissal prior to service of process is permitted.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Isaiah Green, Jr. v. Leah Garland
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Shawn Green v. Trevor A. Kiessling, Jr.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim, Webb v. EPA, 914 F.2d 1493 (Table) (4th Cir. 1990).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Robert James Swint v. Safeway, Inc., et al.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014) (“frivolous complaints are subject to dismissal pursuant to the inherent authority of the court, even when the filing fee has been paid.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Robert James Swint v. Clatsop County Jail, et al.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014) (“frivolous complaints are subject to dismissal pursuant to the inherent authority of the court, even when the filing fee has been paid.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Emery Soos v. Mehmet Oz
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim, Webb v. EPA, 914 F.2d 1493 (Table) (4th Cir. 1990).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Bridget M. Long v. William L. Osteen, Jr.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Ian Marcellus Scott v. Megan Sherbin et al.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014); Ross. v. Baron, 493 F. App’x 405, 406 (4th Cir. 2012).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Shaunesi Yvette DeBerry v. Jeffrey Michael Wachs, et al.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Seth Moses v. Pam Bondi, et al.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Fedlaire Aristide v. Lynk Capital LLC, et al.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014)1;accord Mallard v. U.S. Dist.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Frank Gainer, Jr. v. State of Maryland et al.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Shade Burrell v. State of Maryland et al.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim, Webb v. EPA, 914 F.2d 1493 (Table) (4th Cir. 1990).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Baari’a (of the Family) Muhammad, a/k/a Lumin Lucky Lander v. State Employees Credit Union, et al.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Emmanuel Chukwuebuka Uzoechi v. Marco Rubio
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Jack Crosier, Jr. v. Baltimore City Community College et al.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
TAYLOR v. TOWN OF SPENCER
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014); see also, e.g., Constantine -12- v. Rectors & Visitors of George Mason Univ., 411 F.3d 474, 480 (4th Cir. 2005) (“A federal court has an independent obligation to assess its subject-matter jurisdiction, and it will raise a lack of subject-matter jurisdiction on its own motion.” (internal quotation marks omitted)).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
Dobson, Jr. v. City of Annapolis, Maryland
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014) (same); Ross v. Baron, 493 F. App’x 405, 406 (4th Cir. 2012) (same). | This court is mindful of its obligation to liberally construe the pleadings of self-represented litigants, such as the instant Complaint.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Moore v. Adult Swim (Cartoon Network, Inc.)
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim, Webb v. EPA, 914 F.2d 1493 (Table) (4th Cir. 1990).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Moore v. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim, Webb v. EPA, 914 F.2d 1493 (Table) (4th Cir. 1990).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Scott v. City of Baltimore
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Hairston v. Gallagher
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014) (same); Ross v. Baron, 493 F. App’x 405, 406 (4th Cir. 2012) (same).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
Moore v. Baltimore Police Department
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014) (same); Ross v. Baron, 493 F. App’x 405, 406 (4th Cir. 2012) (same). 1 This court is mindful of its obligation to liberally construe the pleadings of self-represented litigants, such as the instant Complaint.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
McGagh v. Ensor
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014) (same); Ross v. Baron, 493 F. App’x 405, 406 (4th Cir. 2012) (same). appears to concede that judicial immunity bars her claims.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Webb v. Palmer
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Moore v. Scott
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua ‘sponte for failure to state a claim.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Peebles v. Corporate Hollywood
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Webb v. Palmer
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Jones v. State Police Department
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Pebbles v. MECU Credit Union
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
Frye v. South Carolina Department of Corrections, The
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014) (affirming dismissal of factually and legally frivolous claims in a fee-paid pro se case); see also Holloway v. Pagan River Dockside Seafood, Inc., 669 F.3d 448 , 452–53 (4th Cir. 2012) (noting a federal court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over a complaint raising claims “‘so insubstantial, implausible . . . or otherwise completely devoid of merit as not to involve a federal controversy’”).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Stokes v. National Football League
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim, Webb v. EPA, 914 F.2d 1493 (Table) (4th Cir. 1990).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
STICKNEY v. HALL, MHRT-CSD
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014) (internal citations omitted); see also, Evans v. Suter, No. 09-5242, 2010 WL 1632902 , at *1 (D.C.
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
Knight v. Citifinancial, Inc.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), its authority to dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim, Webb v. EPA, 914 F.2d 1493 (Table) (4th Cir. 1990), and its duty to screen complaints filed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 (e)(2)(B), Plaintiff’s complaint is dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Morris v. Baltimore Municipal
Admin. 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Harden v. Smythe
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim, Webb v. EPA, 914 F.2d 1493 (Table) (4th Cir. 1990).
discussed
Cited as authority (rule)
Cooper v. Parham-Greene
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), and its duty to screen complaints filed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 (e)(2)(B), Plaintiff’s complaint is dismissed as frivolous and for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Knight v. Citifinancial, Inc.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim, Webb v. EPA, 914 F.2d 1493 (Table) (4th Cir. 1990).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Murphy v. Barron
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim, Webb v. EPA, 914 F.2d 1493 (Table) (4th Cir. 1990).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Moore v. Scott
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Murphy v. Johnson
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014). “[Dlistrict courts may only exercise their authority to sua sponte dismiss inadequate complaints if the procedure employed is fair to the parties.
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Cooper v. Parham-Greene
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim, Webb v. EPA, 914 F.2d 1493 (Table) (4th Cir. 1990).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Allen v. Peacock TV LLC
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim, Webb v. EPA, 914 F.2d 1493 (Table) (4th Cir. 1990).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Burnett v. BJ'S Wholesale Club, Inc.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014); Robertson v. Anderson Mill Elementary Sch., 989 F.3d 282, 291 (4th Cir. 2021).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Burnett v. BJ'S Wholesale Club, Inc.
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014), a court can also dismiss a complaint sua sponte for failure to state a claim, Webb v. EPA, 914 F.2d 1493 (Table) (4th Cir. 1990).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Shin v. State of Maryland
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014).
cited
Cited as authority (rule)
Lyons v. Copperthite
Admin., 554 F. App’x 247, 248 (4th Cir. 2014) (same); Ross v. Baron, 493 F. App’x 405, 406 (4th Cir. 2012) (same).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
CHONG SU YI, Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION; United States Capitol; White House; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Department of the Treasury, Defendants-Appellees
v.
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION; United States Capitol; White House; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Department of the Treasury, Defendants-Appellees
13-2195.
Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Feb 19, 2014.
554 F. App'x 247
Chong Su Yi, Appellant pro se.
Shedd, Duncan, Diaz.
Cited by 75 opinions | Unpublished
Dismissed by unpublished PER CURIAM opinion.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
PER CURIAM:Chong Su Yi appeals from the district court’s order sua sponte dismissing his complaint. He alleged that, when he inquired as to the status of his disability claim, he was told by the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) that he must wait six months for a decision. He also ehal-[*248] lenged the SSA’s truncated hours, tax exempt status for religious organizations, and the right of public officials to speak to the media. On appeal, he challenges the sua sponte dismissal. Finding that the complaint was frivolous, we deny leave to proceed in forma pauperis and dismiss the complaint. *
Because Yi is neither a prisoner nor proceeding in forma pauperis in district court, the provisions of 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(e)(2), 1915A (2006), permitting sua sponte dismissal of complaints which fail to state a claim are inapplicable. See Stafford v. United States, 208 F.3d 1177, 1179 n. 4 (10th Cir.2000); Porter v. Fox, 99 F.3d 271, 273 n. 1 (8th Cir.1996). However, frivolous complaints are subject to dismissal pursuant to the inherent authority of the court, even when the filing fee has been paid. See, e.g., Mallard v. United States Dist. Court, 490 U.S. 296, 307-08, 109 S.Ct. 1814, 104 L.Ed.2d 318 (1989) (“Section 1915(d) ... authorizes courts to dismiss a ‘frivolous or malicious’ action, but there is little doubt they would have the power to do so even in the absence of this statutory provision.”); Fitzgerald v. First E. Seventh St., 221 F.3d 362, 364 (2d Cir.2000). In addition, because a court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over an obviously frivolous complaint, dismissal prior to service of process is permitted. See Ricketts v. Midwest Nat’l Bank, 874 F.2d 1177, 1181-83 (7th Cir.1989); Franklin v. Or., State Welfare Div., 662 F.2d 1337, 1342-43 (9th Cir.1981).
We find that the claims raised in Yi’s complaint were factually and legally frivolous. Therefore, we deny leave to proceed in forma pauperis and dismiss the appeal. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.
DISMISSED.
*
We also note that Yi's application to proceed in forma pauperis does not support the grant of IFP status.