Autrey v. Morning Star Baptist Church et al

Filing 43

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS re 41 MOTION for Leave to Appeal in forma pauperis filed by Tyres Frai' Aunt Autrey, Objections to R&R due by 7/10/2009Signed by Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins on 6/25/09. (Clerk mailed Appellant a copy) (jal)

Download PDF
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA SOUTHERN DIVISION TYRES FRAI' AUNT AUTREY, Plaintiff, vs. MORNING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH, et al., Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) CIVIL ACTION 07-00895-CG-B REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION This case is before the Court on Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis on Appeal (Doc. 41) and Plaintiff's Notice of Appeal (Doc. 40). Based upon a careful review of Plaintiff's Motion and Notice, the undersigned recommends that Plaintiff's Motion be DENIED. Rule 24(a)(3) of the Rules of Appellate Procedure provide, in pertinent part, that: A party who was permitted to proceed in forma pauperis in the district court action, or who was determined to be financially unable to obtain an adequate defense in a criminal case, may proceed on appeal in forma pauperis without further authorization, unless: (A) the district court - before or after the notice of appeal is filed - certifies that the appeal is not taken in good faith or finds that the party is not otherwise entitled to proceed in forma pauperis and states in writing its reasons for the certification or finding. FRAP 24(a)(3)(A). A petitioner demonstrates good faith when he seeks appellate review of any issue that is not frivolous. See Coppedge v. U.S., 369 U.S. 438 (1962); see also Williams v. Astrue, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 22382 (N.D. Fla. Mar. 9, 2009)("An appeal is taken in good faith if its presents `legal points arguable on their merits (and therefore not frivolous).'"). Plaintiff filed this action regarding the location of his mother's burial site on December 28, 2007. (Doc. 1). Plaintiff requested and was granted permission to proceed in forma pauperis. (Docs. 2, 4). On March 11, 2009, the undersigned Magistrate Judge entered a Report and Recommendation (Doc. 36), which recommended the dismissal of Plaintiff's Complaint. Specifically, the undersigned determined that Plaintiff's breach of contract and negligence actions were barred by the applicable statute of limitations. Plaintiff filed Objections to the Report and Recommendation on March 16, 2009. (Doc. 37). The District Court thoroughly considered Plaintiff's Objections and overruled them in an Order dated June 9, 2009. (Doc. 38). In his Motion and Notice of Appeal, Plaintiff has not set forth any grounds that form the basis of his appeal. Assuming arguendo that Plaintiff seeks to raise the same grounds contained in his Objections, the undersigned finds that Plaintiff's appeal is not taken in good faith because those issues have already been considered and rejected by the District Court. Because Plaintiff has not pointed to any issues that have arguable legal merit, the undersigned recommends that Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis on Appeal (Doc. 41) be DENIED. The attached sheet contains important information regarding objections to the report and recommendation of the Magistrate Judge. 2 DONE this the 25th day of June, 2009. /s/ Sonja F. Bivins UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 3 MAGISTRATE JUDGE'S EXPLANATION OF PROCEDURAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATION AND FINDINGS CONCERNING NEED FOR TRANSCRIPT 1. Objection. Any party who objects to this recommendation or anything in it must, within ten days of the date of service of this document, file specific written objections with the clerk of court. Failure to do so will bar a de novo determination by the district judge of anything in the recommendation and will bar an attack, on appeal, of the factual findings of the magistrate judge. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(c); Lewis v. Smith, 855 F.2d 736, 738 (11th Cir. 1988); Nettles v. Wainwright, 677 F.2d 404 (5th Cir. Unit B, 1982)(en banc). The procedure for challenging the findings and recommendations of the magistrate judge is set out in more detail in SD ALA LR 72.4 (June 1, 1997), which provides that: A party may object to a recommendation entered by a magistrate judge in a dispositive matter, that is, a matter excepted by 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A), by filing a "Statement of Objection to Magistrate Judge's Recommendation" within ten days after being served with a copy of the recommendation, unless a different time is established by order. The statement of objection shall specify those portions of the recommendation to which objection is made and the basis for the objection. The objecting party shall submit to the district judge, at the time of filing the objection, a brief setting forth the party's arguments that the magistrate judge's recommendation should be reviewed de novo and a different disposition made. It is insufficient to submit only a copy of the original brief submitted to the magistrate judge, although a copy of the original brief may be submitted or referred to and incorporated into the brief in support of the objection. Failure to submit a brief in support of the objection may be deemed an abandonment of the objection. A magistrate judge's recommendation cannot be appealed to a Court of Appeals; only the district judge's order or judgment can be appealed. 2. Transcript (applicable where proceedings tape recorded). Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 and Fed.R.Civ.P. 72(b), the magistrate judge finds that the tapes and original records in this action are adequate for purposes of review. Any party planning to object to this recommendation, but unable to pay the fee for a transcript, is advised that a judicial determination that transcription is necessary is required before the United States will pay the cost of the transcript. 5

Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.


Why Is My Information Online?