Teague v. United States of America
Filing
54
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER DENYING LEAVE TO PROCEED ON APPEAL WITHOUT PREPAYMENT OF COSTS OR FEES by Sr. District Judge Robert C. Brack re: 48 MOTION for Leave to Appeal in forma pauperis. (bc) Modified document type on 12/15/2020 (am).
Case 2:07-cv-00326-RB-LCS Document 54 Filed 12/14/20 Page 1 of 2
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO
ANTHONY DAVID TEAGUE
Movant,
vs.
No. CV 07-0326 RB/LCS
No. CR 03-1133 RB
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Respondent.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER DENYING LEAVE TO PROCEED
ON APPEAL WITHOUT PREPAYMENT OF COSTS OR FEES
THIS MATTER is before the Court on Mr. Teague’s Motion for Leave to Proceed IFP.
(Doc. 48.) For the reasons explained below, the Court concludes that Mr. Teague’s appeal is not
taken in good faith and, therefore, will deny his motion.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), “[a]n appeal may not be taken in forma pauperis if the
trial court certifies in writing that it is not taken in good faith.” For purposes of § 1915(a)(3), a
good faith appeal is one that presents a “reasoned, nonfrivolous argument on the law and facts in
support of the issues raised on appeal.” Caravalho v. Pugh, 177 F.3d 1177, 1179 (10th Cir. 1999)
(quotations omitted); see also Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 442–50 (1962). In
determining good faith, the Court should not decide the merits of the issues on appeal but, instead,
should only reach the question of whether the appellant has presented a reasoned and nonfrivolous
argument. See Ragan v. Cox, 305 F.2d 58, 59–60 (10th Cir. 1962).
Mr. Teague fails to identify the existence of a reasoned, nonfrivolous argument on the law
and facts to support his proposed appellate issues. (See Docs. 44; 48.) For this reason, as well as
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Case 2:07-cv-00326-RB-LCS Document 54 Filed 12/14/20 Page 2 of 2
the reasons set forth in the Court’s October 16, 2020 Memorandum Opinion and Order and
December 7, 2020 Memorandum Opinion and Order denying Mr. Teague’s Fifth Rule 60(b)
Motion and his Motion to Alter or Amend Judgment (see Docs. 42; 50), the Court will deny Mr.
Teague’s Motion for Leave to Proceed IFP and certify that his appeal is not taken in good faith.
The Court advises Mr. Teague that he may file a motion for leave to proceed on appeal
without prepayment of fees in the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit within 30
days after service of this Order. See Fed. R. App. P. 24(a)(5). “The motion must include a copy of
the affidavit filed in the district court and the district court’s statement of reasons for its action.”
Id.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the Motion for Leave to Proceed IFP is DENIED;
the Court CERTIFIES that the appeal is not taken in good faith, and the Court DIRECTS the
Clerk of the Court to notify the Court of Appeals of this denial and certification.
________________________________
ROBERT C. BRACK
SENIOR U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE
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