Jowell v. Lind, et al

Filing 8

ORDER denying 5 Motion for Leave to Proceed in Forma Pauperis, and denying as moot 1 Motion for Fed. Rule 60(b)(4), by Judge Lewis T. Babcock on 8/26/14.(dkals, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO

Civil Action No. 14-cv-02165-BNB
(The above civil action number must appear on all future papers
sent to the Court in this action. Failure to include this number
may result in a delay in the consideration of your claims.)
JODY JOWELL,
Applicant,
v.
RANDY LIND, and
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF COLORADO,
Respondents.

ORDER DENYING LEAVE TO PROCEED PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1915

Applicant, Jody Jowell, is a prisoner in the custody of the Colorado Department
of Corrections at the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility in Ordway, Colorado. Mr.
Jowell, acting pro se, submitted an Application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus Pursuant to
28 U.S.C. § 2254 (ECF No. 6) and a Prisoner’s Motion and Affidavit for Leave to
Proceed Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 (ECF No. 5) together with a certificate of the
warden as to the amount of money on deposit in his inmate trust fund account
statement. As part of the Court’s review pursuant to D.C.COLO.LCivR 8.1(b), the Court
has determined that the submitted documents are in proper form. For the reasons
stated below, the § 1915 motion will be denied because Mr. Jowell does not qualify for
leave to proceed pursuant to § 1915.
Subsection (a)(1) of 28 U.S.C. § 1915 allows a litigant to commence a lawsuit
without prepayment of fees or security therefor. However, “[t]here is no absolute right
to proceed in court without paying a filing fee in civil matters.” Holmes v. Hardy, 852

F.2d 151, 153 (5th Cir. 1988); see also 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). Proceeding in forma
pauperis pursuant to § 1915, i.e. without paying a filing fee under § 1914, is a privilege
extended to individuals unable to pay such a fee. See Holmes, 852 F.2d at 153.
The certified copy of Mr. Jowell’s account statement filed on August 15, 2014,
shows that he has an available balance of $463.18 in his inmate account as of August
13, 2014. Therefore, the Court finds that Mr. Jowell has sufficient funds to pay the
$5.00 filing fee. The § 1915 motion will be denied. Mr. Jowell will be directed to pay the
$5.00 filing fee required pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1914 if he wishes to pursue his claims
in this action.
Accordingly, it is
ORDERED that the Prisoner’s Motion and Affidavit for Leave to Proceed
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 (ECF No. 5) submitted by Applicant, Jody Jowell, is
denied. It is
FURTHER ORDERED that Mr. Jowell shall pay the full $5.00 filing fee within
thirty (30) days from the date of this order if he wishes to pursue his claims in this
action. It is
FURTHER ORDERED that, if Mr. Jowell fails to pay the $5.00 filing fee within the
time allowed, the action will be dismissed without further notice. It is
FURTHER ORDERED that the motion titled “Motion for Fed. Rule 60(b)(4)” (ECF
No. 1) is denied as moot.
DATED at Denver, Colorado, this

26th day of

August

, 2014.

BY THE COURT:
s/Lewis T. Babcock
LEWIS T. BABCOCK, Senior Judge
United States District Court
2