Briley v. Cole et al

Filing 3

ORDER re 1 MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis filed by Eddie Briley, Jr; Clerk is directed to send to plaintiff a prison trust fund calculation sheet which plaintiff has 30 days in which to file a properly completed calculation sheet. Signed by Magistrate Judge J. Thomas Ray on 8/20/09. (bkp)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF DIVISION EDDIE BRILEY, JR. V. 5:09CV00220 BSM/JTR DEFENDANTS PLAINTIFF

RONNIE COLE, Chief Deputy, W.C. Dub Brassell Detention Center, et al.

ORDE R Plaintiff, Eddie Briley, Jr., who is currently confined in the W.C. Dub Brassell Detention Center, has filed a pro se1 § 1983 Complaint and an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. See docket entries #1 and #2. For the reasons set forth herein, the Court will give Plaintiff thirty days to file a prisoner trust fund calculation sheet The Prison Litigation Reform Act provides that a prisoner who is permitted to file a civil action in forma pauperis still must pay the full statutory filing fee of $350. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). The only question is whether a prisoner will pay the entire filing fee at the initiation of the

Plaintiff is hereby notified of his responsibility to comply with Local Rule 5.5(c)(2), which states: "It is the duty of any party not represented by counsel to promptly notify the Clerk and the other parties to the proceedings of any change in his or her address, to monitor the progress of the case, and to prosecute or defend the action diligently. A party appearing for himself/herself shall sign his/her pleadings and state his/her address, zip code, and telephone number. 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." Plaintiff is further notified of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), which provides that a prisoner may not proceed with a civil suit in forma pauperis "if the prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury."

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proceeding or in installments over a period of time. Ashley v. Dilworth, 147 F.3d 715, 716 (8th Cir. 1998). Even if a prisoner is without assets and unable to pay an initial filing fee, he will be allowed to proceed with his § 1983 claims and the filing fee will be collected by the Court in installments from the prisoner's inmate trust account. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(4). If the prisoner's case is subsequently dismissed for any reason, including a determination that it is frivolous, malicious, fails to state a claim, or seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune from such relief, the full amount of the $350 filing fee will be collected and no portion of this filing fee will be refunded to the prisoner. Plaintiff has submitted a prisoner calculation sheet that discloses his average monthly balance but not his average monthly deposits. See docket entry #1, attachment. The Court must know both averages before assessing an initial partial filing fee. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(3)(b)(1) (providing that the initial partial filing fee shall be "20% of the greater of the average monthly deposits to the prisoner's account or the average monthly balance in the prisoner's account") (emphasis added). Accordingly, the Court will give Plaintiff thirty days to file a properly completed prisoner trust fund calculation sheet.2 In contrast, if Plaintiff does not wish to proceed with this case, he should file a Motion for Voluntary Dismissal, and this case will be dismissed, without assessment of any portion of the filing fee. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT: 1. 2. The Clerk is directed to send Plaintiff a prisoner trust fund calculation sheet. Plaintiff shall, within thirty days of the entry of this Order, file a properly

The prisoner trust fund calculation sheet must be completed and signed by an authorized individual at the Brassell Detention Center. -2-

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completed prisoner trust fund calculation sheet 3. Plaintiff is reminded (as fully explained in footnote 1 to this Order) that the failure

to timely and properly comply with this Order will result in the dismissal of this case, without prejudice, pursuant to Local Rule 5.5(c)(2). Dated this 20th day of August, 2009.

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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