Nixon v. Cox

Filing 3

ORDER denying without prejudice 1 Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. Plaintiff shall submit either the $400 statutory filing fee or a completed in forma pauperis application, with the required calculation sheet signed by an authorized offic ial of the prison, within 30 days of the entry date of this Order. The Clerk shall send to Plaintiff an in forma pauperis application and calculation sheet. The Clerk shall also forward a copy of this Order to the Administrator of the Poinsett County Detention Center. Service is not appropriate at this time. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jerome T. Kearney on 5/17/2017. (jak)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION
RONNIE NIXON
v.

PLAINTIFF
3:17CV00122-BRW-JTK

SUSAN COX

DEFENDANT
ORDER

Plaintiff Ronnie Nixon is an inmate who filed a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis in
order to commence a pro se federal civil rights action without prepayment of the $400.00 filing
fees and costs (Doc. No. 1).1 However, his Motion will be denied because he has not included the
necessary financial information in support.
According to the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), a prisoner who is allowed to file
a civil action in forma pauperis still must pay the full amount of the $350 filing fee. See 28
U.S.C. ' 1915(b)(1). Furthermore, before docketing the complaint or, as soon thereafter as
practicable, the Court must review the complaint to identify cognizable claims or dismiss the
complaint if it: (1) is frivolous or malicious; (2) fails to state a claim upon which relief may be
granted; or (3) seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief.
28 U.S.C. ' 1915A.

See

If the case is dismissed for any of these reasons, there is no provision in

the Act for a refund of any portion of the filing fee to the prisoner.
Under the Act, in order for the Court to determine how the $350 filing fee will be paid,
the prisoner is required to submit a calculation sheet prepared and signed by an authorized
1

Effective May 1, 2013, the civil filing fee increased to $400, due to the implementation of a $50
administrative fee. This $50 fee does not, however, apply to plaintiffs who are granted in forma pauperis
status.
1

official of the incarcerating facility. This calculation sheet reflects the deposits and monthly
balances in the inmate=s trust account at the facility during the six-month period immediately
preceding the filing of the complaint.

See 28 U.S.C. ' 1915(a)(2). However, the Act also

provides that in no event shall a prisoner be prohibited from bringing a civil action because he Ahas
no assets and no means by which to pay the initial partial filing fee.@ 28 U.S.C. ' 1915(b)(4).
Plaintiff indicates in his Motion that officials at the Jail declined to complete and/or sign
the calculation sheet as required by statute.

The Court reminds the Jail officials that the

PLRA requires their compliance by completing and signing the appropriate financial forms
submitted by inmates who file ' 1983 lawsuits.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED that:
1.

Plaintiff=s Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Doc. No. 1) is DENIED without

prejudice.
2.

Plaintiff shall submit either the $400 statutory filing fee or a completed in forma

pauperis application, with the required calculation sheet signed by an authorized official of the
prison, within thirty (30) days of the entry date of this Order.2
3.

The Clerk shall send to Plaintiff an in forma pauperis application and calculation

4.

The Clerk also shall forward a copy of this Order to the Administrator of the

sheet.

Poinsett County Detention Facility, 1500 Justice Drive, Harrisburg, AR 72432.

2

Plaintiff is hereby notified of his responsibility to comply with the Local Rules of the Court,
including Rule 5.5(c)(2), which states: A. . . If any communication from the Court to a pro se plaintiff is
not responded to within thirty (30) days, the case may be dismissed without prejudice. Any party
proceeding pro se shall be expected to be familiar with and follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.@
2

5.

Service is not appropriate at this time.

IT IS SO ORDERED this 17th day of May, 2017.

____________________________________
JEROME T. KEARNEY
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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