LEDFORD v. EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS (2021)

United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.

April LEDFORD, Plaintiff - Appellant, v. EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS, Defendant - Appellee.

No. 20-2232

Decided: April 26, 2021

Before GREGORY, Chief Judge, AGEE, Circuit Judge, and TRAXLER, Senior Circuit Judge. April Ledford, Appellant Pro Se. Dale Allen Curriden, Nevin Wisnoski, VAN WINKLE LAW FIRM, Asheville, North Carolina, for Appellee.

April Ledford appeals the district court's order dismissing her complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. We have reviewed the record and conclude that the district court correctly found that it lacked subject matter jurisdiction over Ledford's complaint. However, as the dismissal was based on the lack of subject matter jurisdiction, it “must be one without prejudice, because a court that lacks jurisdiction has no power to adjudicate and dispose of a claim on the merits.” S. Walk at Broadlands Homeowner's Ass'n, Inc. v. OpenBand at Broadlands, LLC, 713 F.3d 175, 185 (4th Cir. 2013). Accordingly, we affirm the district court's order dismissing Ledford's complaint, but we modify the judgment to reflect that Ledford's complaint is dismissed without prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. 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.

AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED

PER CURIAM:

Affirm as modified by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.