JOHNSON v. IVEY et al

Filing 63

ORDER denying 56 Motion for Leave to Appeal in forma pauperis. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to send a copy of this Order to the custodian of the prison in which Plaintiff is incarcerated. Ordered by US DISTRICT JUDGE C ASHLEY ROYAL on 10/27/16 (lap)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
MACON DIVISION

ERIC O’BRIEN JOHNSON
Plaintiff,
VS.
Deputy Warden GEORGE IVEY,
et al.,
Defendants.
_________________________________

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NO. 5:14-CV-141 (CAR)

ORDER

Plaintiff Eric O’Brien Johnson, a prisoner at Valdosta State Prison, filed the
instant action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (ECF No. 1). On March 22, 2016, this Court
issued an Order (ECF No. 52) accepting, over Plaintiff’s objections, the Magistrate
Judge’s Report and Recommendation (ECF No. 49) that Defendants’ Motion for
Summary Judgment be granted. Plaintiff now wishes to proceed in forma pauperis
(“IFP”) on appeal from that Order (ECF No. 56).
A court may authorize an appeal of a civil action without prepayment of fees if the
prisoner submits an affidavit that includes a statement of all assets and that states the
prisoner is unable to pay or give security therefor.

See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1).

Nevertheless, this Court may deny in forma pauperis status if the Court determines the
appeal is not taken in good faith. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) (“An appeal may not be
taken in forma pauperis if the trial court certifies in writing that it is not taken in good

faith.”). “Good faith” means that an issue exists on appeal that is not frivolous under an
objective standard. Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 444-45 (1962). An appeal
is considered frivolous when it is brought “without arguable merit either in law or fact.”
Bilal v. Driver, 251 F.3d 1346, 1349 (11th Cir. 2001).
The Court has reviewed Plaintiff’s notice of appeal and the remainder of the
record, and concludes that Plaintiff fails to raise a non-frivolous issue on appeal. The
Court therefore certifies, pursuant to section 1915(a)(3), that Plaintiff’s appeal is not
taken in good faith. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis on
appeal is hereby DENIED.1
If Plaintiff wishes to proceed with his appeal, he must pay the entire $505
appellate filing fee. Because Plaintiff has stated that he cannot pay the fee immediately,
he must pay using the partial payment plan described under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b).
Pursuant to section1915(b), the prison account custodian where Plaintiff is confined shall
cause to be remitted to the Clerk of this Court monthly payments of 20% of the preceding
month’s income credited to Plaintiff’s account (to the extent the account balance exceeds
$10) until the $505 appellate filing fee has been paid in full. Checks should be made
payable to “Clerk, U.S. District Court.” The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to send a
copy of this Order to the custodian of the prison in which Plaintiff is incarcerated.
Any further requests to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal should be directed to
1

As the Court determines that Plaintiff’s appeal is not taken in good faith, the Court
need not consider whether Plaintiff is unable to pre-pay the appellate filing fees.

the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, in accordance with Rule 24
of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.
SO ORDERED, this 27th day of October, 2016.

S/ C. Ashley Royal
C. ASHLEY ROYAL, JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT