Coates v. Wall et al

Filing 13

ORDER allowing the plaintiff an additional 14 days to pay the initial filing fee of $11.35, (Compliance due by 8/9/2016). Signed by Magistrate Judge Brian K. Epps on 7/26/16. (cmr)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
DUBLIN DIVISION
ANDRE COATES,

)
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Plaintiff,
)
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v.
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SARAH WALL, Judge, Dodge County
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Courthouse; STEVE HARRISON, Public
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Defender; TIMOTHY G. VAUGHN,
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Solicitor General; FNU BARRENTINE,
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Lt.; CHRIS HOLLAND; FREDDIE
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MULLIS, Judge; DODGE COUNTY
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SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT;
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DODGE COUNTY GBI TASK FORCE;
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LYNN SHEFFIELD, Sheriff,
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Defendants.
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_________

CV 316-009

ORDER
_________
Plaintiff, an inmate incarcerated at the Dodge County Jail in Eastman, Georgia, is
proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights case. On June 21, 2016, the
Court directed Plaintiff to pay an initial partial filing fee of $11.35 within thirty days of the
date of the Order and advised him that all prisoners, even those proceeding in forma
pauperis, must pay the filing fee of $350.00 in full. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). The time
for responding to the Court’s June 21st Order has now expired, yet Plaintiff has failed to pay
the assessed initial partial filing fee as required by the relevant provisions of the United
States Code.
Under the Prison Litigation Reform Act (“PLRA”), prisoners granted in forma

pauperis status must, when funds are available, prepay at least a partial filing fee. 28 U.S.C.
§ 1915(b)(1)-(2). Courts may not except indigent prisoners from prepaying this partial filing
fee. See id.; see also Rivera v. Allin, 144 F.3d 719, 722 (11th Cir. 1998), abrogated on other
grounds by Jones v. Bock, 549 U.S. 199 (2007); Martin v. United States, 96 F.3d 853, 856
(7th Cir. 1996) (insisting, whenever feasible, on payment in advance of initial filing fee in
every civil action covered by the PLRA). Thus, Plaintiff shall have fourteen days from the
date of this Order to inform the Court of his intentions regarding this case by complying with
the Court’s Order directing payment of an initial filing fee of $11.35 or by showing the Court
why he has not complied with the Order directing the payment. The Court DIRECTS the
CLERK to immediately inform the Court of any payment of the initial filing fee which is
received from Plaintiff.

If Plaintiff notifies the Court that he has decided not to pursue his case and wishes to
voluntarily dismiss his complaint at this time, then the case will not count as a “strike” which
may later subject Plaintiff to the three-strike dismissal rule under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). It is
important that Plaintiff communicate with the Court.
SO ORDERED this 26th day of July, 2016, at Augusta, Georgia.

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