Reynolds v. Ward et al (INMATE 1) (MEMBER CASE)

Filing 3

ORDER granting 2 Affidavit for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis except to the extent payment is required under this order; Directing Monthly Payments be made from Inmate's Prison Account until fee is paid in full as further set out in order. Copies mailed to plaintiff and account clerk at Geneva County Jail. Signed by Judge Susan Russ Walker on 8/3/05. (vmc, )

Reynolds v. Ward et al (INMATE 1) (MEMBER CASE)

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Case 1:05-cv-00708-MHT-SRW

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Filed 08/03/2005

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IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA SOUT HERN DIVISION PAUL LAWRENCE REYNOLDS, Plaintiff, v. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:05-CV-708-F WO

GREG WARD, et al., Defendants.

O RDER ON MOTION NO TICE TO PRIS O NERS : Pursuant to the 1996 revisions to 28 U.S .C. § 1915, the requisite procedures for filing civil acti o n s in forma pauperis have substantially change d. Additionally, in accordance with the provi s i ons of the Consolidated

Appropri ati ons Act of 2005, the filing fee for civil actions has increased to $250. The attache d notice contains an explanation of these changes. Up on consideration of the motion for leave to p r o ceed in forma pauperis filed by t he plaintiff on August 1, 2005 (Court Doc. No. 2), and for good cause, it is ORDERED that such motion be and is hereby GRANTED. In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1), a p r isoner who seeks t o proceed in forma pauperis in a civil act i o n or on appeal is required to pay the full amount of the requisite filing fee. Upon review of the financial information provided to the

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court , it appears that the plaintiff lacks the requisite funds in his prison account for this court to require payment of either the entire filing fee or an initial partial filing fee. However, under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1), t h i s court must "assess and, when funds exist, collect" the $250.00 filing fee from monies available to the p laint iff. In light of t he foregoing and in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2), it is further ORDERED that: 1. The plaintiff shall make monthly payments of 20 percent of each preceding

mont h's income credited to his account as payments towards the $250.00 filing fee. 2. Those persons having custody of the plaint i f f shall forward the above described p ay ment s from the plaintiff's account to the clerk of this court each time the amount in the p laint iff's account exceeds $10.00 until the $250.00 filing fee is paid in full. Id. To aid the plaintiff and those persons having custody of t h e p l a i n t iff in complying wit h the requirements of this order, the clerk is DIRECTED to furnish a copy of this order t o the inmate account clerk at the Geneva County Jail. T he p l aint iff is advised that if this case is dismissed for any reason he remains obligat ed to pay the $250.00 filing fee. The filing fee will be collected from any funds which become available to the plaint i f f and will be forwarded to this court by those persons having custody of the plaintiff pursuant to the directives contained in this order.

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Addit ionally , t h e p l aint iff is advised that if he files a notice of appeal he will likewise be required to pay the requisite appellat e filing fee which is currently $255.00. Thus, if at t he time the plaintiff files a notice of appeal he has the necessary funds t o p a y t h e $255.00 filing fee, he must submit such amount t o t h e court with the notice of appeal. If the requisit e funds are not available and the plaintiff seeks t o p roceed in forma pauperis on h i s appeal, he must complete an affidavit in support of such request and supply the court wit h a certified copy of his p r ison account statement for the 6-month period preceding the filing of the appeal. However, the plaintiff is informed that regardless of this court's

det erminat ion on his in for m a pauperis motion the entire appellate filing fee will be collect ed from those persons having custody of him from funds available in his prison account in a manner similar to that outlined in this order. DONE, this 3rd day of August, 2005.

/s/ Susan Russ Walker SUSAN RUSS WALKER UNIT ED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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NOTICE
INFORM A TION TO PRISONERS SEEKING LEAVE TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1915 IN CIVIL ACTIONS BEFORE ANY FEDERAL COURT
In accordance with 1996 amendments to the in forma pauperis (IFP) statute governing ci vi l actions in federal court, as a prisoner you will be obligated to pay the full filing fee of $250.00 for a civil action. If you later file an appeal, the filing fee for the appeal is $255.00 and you will likewise be responsible for payment of such fee. Thus, if at the time you file your action you have the funds available to pay the requisite filing fee, you must send such amount to the court with your complaint or notice of appeal and, if appropriate, your IFP appl i cati on. If you do not have enough money to pay the full filing fee when your action is filed, you can file the action without prepayment of the filing fee. However, the court will assess and, when funds exist , collect an initial partial filing fee. The initial partial filing fee will be equal to 20 percent of the average monthly deposits to your prison or jail account for the six months immediately preceding t he filing of the lawsuit, or 20 percent of the average monthly balance in your prison or jail account for that same six month period, whichever is greater. The court will order that you make the initial p art ial filing fee out of your prison or jail account or any other funds you have indicated are available t o you. If you fail to submit the initial partial filing fee, your case will be dismissed and the ful l amount of the filing fee will be collected from those persons having custody of you. Aft er the initial partial filing fee has been paid, you will be responsible for paying the balance of the filing fee. To fulfill your obligation for payment of the full filing fee, each month you will owe 20 percent of your preceding month's income toward the balance on the filing fee. Pursuant to an order of the court, the agency that has custody of you will collect that money and send payments t o the court any time the amount in the account exceeds $10.00. You are advised that the balance of the filing fee will be collected even if the action is subsequently dismissed for any reason, summary judgment is granted against you, or you fail to prevail at trial. In order to proceed with an action or appeal in forma pauperis y o u must complete the affidavit in support of your request to proceed in forma pauperis and supply the court with a

Case 1:05-cv-00708-MHT-SRW Document 3 Filed 08/03/2005 Page 5 of 5 certified copy of your prisoner account statement for the 6-month period preceding the filing of the comp laint or notice of appeal and return it to the court with your cause of action. If you submit an incomp let e form or do not submit a prison or jail account statement with the form, your request to p roceed in forma pauperis will be denied. Re gardl e ss of whether some or all of the filing fee has been paid, the court is required to screen your complaint and to dismiss the complaint if (1) your allegation of poverty is untrue ; (2) the action is frivolous or malicious; (3) your complaint does not state a claim on whi ch relief can be granted; or (4) you sue a defendant for money damage s and that de fe ndant is immune from liability for money damages. If on three or more occasions you have filed actions or appeals while a prisoner which we re dismissed as frivolous or malicious or for failure to state a claim on which relief can be granted, then you will be prohibited from bringing any other actions in forma pauperis unl e ss you are in imminent danger of serious physical injury. In such cases, your request to proceed in forma pauperis will be denied and you will be required to pay the appropriate fi l i ng fee before proceeding in your civil action.