Smith v. Lasanta et al
Filing
3
ORDER DIRECTING PRISONER AUTHORIZATION: Plaintiff is directed to submit a completed and signed Prisoner Authorization Form to this Court's Pro Se Office within thirty (30) days of the date of this Order. The Clerk of Court is directed to assign this matter to my docket. The Court certifies, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1915(a)(3), that any appeal from this Order would not be taken in good faith, and therefore in forma pauperis status is denied for the purpose of an appeal. See Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 444-45 (1962). Prisoner Authorization Form due by 12/17/2021. (Signed by Judge Laura Taylor Swain on 11/17/2021) (Attachments: #1 Supplement Prisoner authorization) (scn) Transmission to Docket Assistant Clerk for processing.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
SINCERE SMITH,
Plaintiff,
-againstC.O. R. LASANTA; C.O. JOHN DOE,
21-CV-9509 (LTS)
ORDER DIRECTING PRISONER
AUTHORIZATION
Defendants.
LAURA TAYLOR SWAIN, Chief United States District Judge:
Plaintiff, who is currently incarcerated in Mid-State Correctional Facility, brings this
action pro se. To proceed with a civil action in this Court, a prisoner must either pay $402.00 in
fees – a $350.00 filing fee plus a $52.00 administrative fee – or, to request permission to proceed
in forma pauperis (IFP), that is, without prepayment of fees, submit a signed IFP application and
a prisoner authorization. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1914, 1915. If the Court grants a prisoner’s IFP
application, the Prison Litigation Reform Act requires the Court to collect the $350.00 filing fee
in installments deducted from the prisoner’s account. 1 See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). A prisoner
seeking to proceed in this Court without prepayment of fees must therefore also authorize the
Court to withdraw these payments from his account by filing a “prisoner authorization,” which
directs the facility where the prisoner is incarcerated to deduct the $350.00 filing fee from the
prisoner’s account in installments and to send to this Court certified copies of the prisoner’s
account statements for the past six months. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2), (b).
Plaintiff submitted an IFP application but did not submit a prisoner authorization. Within
thirty days of the date of this order, Plaintiff must either pay the $402.00 in fees or complete,
1
The $52.00 administrative fee for filing a civil action does not apply to persons granted
IFP status under 28 U.S.C. § 1915.
sign, and and submit the attached prisoner authorization. If Plaintiff submits the prisoner
authorization, it should be labeled with docket number 21-CV-9509 (LTS). 2
No summons shall issue at this time. If Plaintiff complies with this order, the case shall be
processed in accordance with the procedures of the Clerk’s Office. If Plaintiff fails to comply
with this order within the time allowed, the action will be dismissed.
The Court certifies under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) that any appeal from this order would
not be taken in good faith, and therefore IFP status is denied for the purpose of an appeal. Cf.
Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 444–45 (1962) (holding that appellant demonstrates
good faith when seeking review of a nonfrivolous issue).
The Clerk of Court is directed to mail a copy of this order to Plaintiff and note service on
the docket.
SO ORDERED.
Dated:
November 17, 2021
New York, New York
/s/ Laura Taylor Swain
LAURA TAYLOR SWAIN
Chief United States District Judge
2
Plaintiff is cautioned that if a prisoner files a federal civil action or appeal that is
dismissed as frivolous or malicious, or for failure to state a claim on which relief may be granted,
the dismissal is a “strike” under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). A prisoner who receives three “strikes”
cannot file federal civil actions IFP as a prisoner, unless he is under imminent danger of serious
physical injury, and must pay the filing fees at the time of filing any new action.
2
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