Willis v. United States of America

Filing 19

ORDER granting 18 Application on Proceed In Forma Pauperis on Appeal (Written Opinion). Signed by Judge Joan N. Ericksen on October 8, 2014. (CBC)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA
Samuel K. Willis,
Petitioner,
v.

Civil No. 13-2059 (JNE/JSM)
ORDER

United States of America,
Respondent.
This case is before the Court on Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal
of this Court’s denial of his petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241. To
qualify for in forma pauperis status on appeal, a litigant who appeals from a judgment must
submit information that demonstrates the litigant’s inability to pay, or give security for, the
appellate filing fees. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1) (2006); see also Malave v. Hedrick, 271 F.3d 1139,
1139-1140 (8th Cir. Mo. 2001) (holding that the Prison Litigation Reform Act filing-fee
provisions are inapplicable to habeas corpus actions). Even if the litigant is financially eligible
to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal, the litigant may not appeal in forma pauperis if the
district court “certifies in writing that [the appeal] is not taken in good faith.” Id. § 1915(a)(3).
Good faith in this context is judged by an objective standard rather than the subjective beliefs of
the appellant. Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 445 (1962). To determine whether an
appeal is taken in good faith, the Court must decide whether the claims to be decided on appeal
are factually or legally frivolous. Id. An appeal is frivolous, and therefore cannot be taken in
good faith, “where it lacks an arguable basis either in law or in fact.” Neitzke v. Williams, 490
U.S. 319, 325 (1989).

1

In this case, the information submitted by Plaintiff indicates that he is financially eligible
for in forma pauperis status on appeal. Cf. Chatman v. Allegheny Cnty., 144 F. App’x 216, 21718 (3d Cir. 2005) (per curiam). Although the Court remains satisfied that Plaintiff’s claims were
properly addressed, the Court declines to certify that Plaintiff’s appeal is not taken in good faith.
Accordingly, the Court grants Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal.
Based on the files, records, and proceedings herein, and for the reasons stated above, IT
IS ORDERED THAT:
1. Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal [Docket No. 18] is
GRANTED.
Dated: October 8, 2014
s/Joan N. Ericksen
JOAN N. ERICKSEN
United States District Judge

2