Dence v. Oaks et al (INMATE 2)

Filing 3

ORDER ON MOTION that the 2 motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis is GRANTED 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; Copies mailed to plaintiff and inmate account clerk Chilton County Jail. Signed by Honorable Judge Charles S. Coody on 9/8/2011. (jg, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
NORTHERN DIVISION
_____________________________
MICHAEL ALAN DENCE

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Plaintiff,

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v.

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MARLOWE OAKS, et al.,

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Defendants.
_____________________________

2:11-CV-727-TMH
(WO)

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ORDER ON MOTION
NOTICE TO PRISONERS: Pursuant to the 1996 revisions to 28 U.S.C. § 1915,
the requisite procedures for filing civil actions in forma pauperis have substantially
changed. Additionally, in accordance with the provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act
of 2005 (Pub. L. No. 109-171), the filing fee for civil actions has increased to $350.00.
The attached notice contains an explanation of these changes.
Upon consideration of the motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed by
Plaintiff on September 6, 2011 (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 prisoner who seeks to
proceed in forma pauperis in a civil action or on appeal is required to pay the full amount of
the requisite filing fee. Upon review of the financial information provided to the court, it
appears that 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), this court must "assess and, when funds exist, collect"
the $350.00 filing fee from monies available to Plaintiff. In light of the foregoing and in
accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2), it is further
ORDERED that:
1. Plaintiff shall make monthly payments of 20 percent of each preceding month's
income credited to his account as payments towards the $350.00 filing fee; and
2. Those persons having custody of Plaintiff shall forward the above described
payments from Plaintiff's account to the clerk of this court each time the amount in his
account exceeds $10.00 until the $350.00 filing fee is paid in full. Id.
To aid Plaintiff and those persons having custody of Plaintiff in complying with the
requirements of this order, the clerk is DIRECTED to furnish a copy of this order to the
inmate account clerk at the Chilton County Jail.
Plaintiff is advised that if this case is dismissed for any reason he remains obligated
to pay the $350.00 filing fee. The filing fee will be collected from any funds which become
available to Plaintiff and will be forwarded to this court by those persons having custody of
Plaintiff pursuant to the directives contained in this order.
Additionally, Plaintiff is advised that if he files a notice of appeal he will likewise be
required to pay the requisite appellate filing fee which is currently $455.00. Thus, if at the
time Plaintiff files a notice of appeal he has the necessary funds to pay the $455.00 filing fee,

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he must submit such amount to the court with the notice of appeal. If the requisite funds are
not available and Plaintiff seeks to proceed in forma pauperis on his appeal, he must
complete an affidavit in support of such request and supply the court with a certified copy
of his prison account statement for the 6-month period preceding the filing of the appeal.
However, Plaintiff is informed that regardless of this court's determination on his in forma
pauperis motion the entire appellate filing fee will be collected 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 8th day of September 2011.

/s/ Charles S. Coody
CHARLES S. COODY
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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NOTICE
INFORMATION 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 civil actions in federal court, as a prisoner you will be obligated to pay the
full filing fee of $350.00 for a civil action. If you later file an appeal, the filing fee for
the appeal is $455.00 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 application.
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 the 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 partial filing fee out of your prison or jail
account or any other funds you have indicated are available to you. If you fail to submit the
initial partial filing fee, your case will be dismissed and the full amount of the filing fee
will be collected from those persons having custody of you.
After 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 to 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 you must complete the
affidavit in support of your request to proceed in forma pauperis and supply the court with
a certified copy of your prisoner account statement for the 6-month period preceding the
filing of the complaint or notice of appeal and return it to the court with your cause of action.
If you submit an incomplete form or do not submit a prison or jail account statement with the
form, your request to proceed in forma pauperis will be denied.

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Regardless 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 which relief can be granted; or (4) you sue a defendant for money
damages and that defendant is immune from liability for money damages.
If on three or more occasions you have filed actions or appeals while a prisoner
which were 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 unless 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 filing fee before proceeding in your civil action.

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