Molina v. USA

Filing 24

ORDER denying 23 Motion to defray cost of copies of transcripts. Signed by Judge James S. Moody, Jr. on 6/28/2017. (LN)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TAMPA DIVISION
MIGUEL A. MOLINA,
Petitioner,
v.

Case No: 8:15-cv-915-T-30AEP

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Respondent.

ORDER
THIS CAUSE comes before the Court on Petitioner’s Motion Pursuant to Criminal
Justice Act 28 U.S.C. Section 3006A (Doc. 23), which the Court construes as a motion for
copies. In the Motion, Petitioner requests copies of the jury selection transcripts, which he
argues are related to ground 2 of his section 2255 Motion. The Court concludes Petitioner
is not entitled to free copies of the transcript because he has not shown he is indigent.
Regarding document requests, 28 U.S.C. § 2250, provides, in pertinent part:
If on any application for a writ of habeas corpus an order has been made
permitting the petitioner to prosecute the application in forma pauperis, the
clerk of any court of the United States shall furnish to the petitioner without
cost certified copies of such documents or parts of the record on file in his
office as may be required by order of the judge before whom the application
is pending.
Similarly, 28 U.S.C. § 753(f) governs requests for the preparation of transcripts not
previously made part of the record and provides:
Fees for transcripts furnished in criminal proceedings to persons proceeding
under the Criminal Justice Act (18 U.S.C. 3006A), or in habeas corpus
proceedings to persons allowed to sue, defend, or appeal in forma pauperis,
shall be paid by the United States out of moneys appropriated for those
purposes. Fees for transcripts furnished in proceedings brought under section

2255 of this title to persons permitted to sue or appeal in forma pauperis shall
be paid by the United States out of money appropriated for that purpose if
the trial judge or a circuit judge certifies that the suit or appeal is not frivolous
and that the transcript is needed to decide the issue presented by the suit or
appeal
Accordingly, if Petitioner can demonstrate that he is indigent and that the requested
documents and transcripts are necessary to the resolution of an issue he has presented in a
non-frivolous, pending collateral proceeding, then he would be entitled to have those
documents and transcripts furnished to him without charge. See Hansen v. United States,
956 F.2d 245, 248 (11th Cir. 1992).
Petitioner’s Motion should be denied because Petitioner has not been determined
indigent and granted in forma pauperis status pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). Petitioner
has presented no evidence demonstrating his inability to pay for the costs of the transcripts
he requests. In fact, the Eleventh Circuit denied Petitioner’s motion to appeal in forma
pauperis on appeal, and Petitioner was able to pay the filing fee, indicating he may not be
indigent. So the Court concludes Petitioner has failed to demonstrate that he is indigent
and, thus, entitled to free copies of the transcripts he desires.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Petitioner’s Motion Pursuant
to Criminal Justice Act 28 U.S.C. Section 3006A (Doc. 23) is DENIED.
DONE and ORDERED in Tampa, Florida, this 28th day of June, 2017.

Copies furnished to:
Counsel/Parties of Record

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