Edwards v. Byers et al
Filing
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ORDER directing Clerk not to authorize service and advising plaintiff to notify Clerk in writing of any change of address. Plaintiff has incurred a debt to the U.S.A. in the amount of $350. Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis 13 is granted. Signed by Magistrate Judge Shiva V Hodges on 8/3/2012. (abuc)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Gary Edwards,
Plaintiff,
vs.
SCDC Director: Hon. Mr. Byers;
SCDC Board of Directors (unknowned);
Hon: Sen. Mr. Mike Fair, Chairman;
Hon: Sen. Mr. K. Patterson, Cochairman
of the S.C. Judicial Penal Comm Board
(unknowned),
Defendants.
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C/A No.: 1:12-1615-JMC-SVH
ORDER
This is a civil action filed by a state prisoner. Therefore, in the event that a limitations
issue arises, Plaintiff shall have the benefit of the holding in Houston v. Lack, 487 U.S. 266
(1988) (prisoner’s pleading was filed at the moment of delivery to prison authorities for
forwarding to District Court). Under Local Civil Rule 73.02(B)(2) (D.S.C.), pretrial
proceedings in this action have been referred to the assigned United States Magistrate Judge.
By order issued on June 25, 2012, Plaintiff was given a specific time frame in which
to bring this case into proper form. [Entry #7]. Plaintiff has complied with the court’s order,
and this case is now in proper form.
PAYMENT OF THE FILING FEE:
By filing this case, Plaintiff has incurred a debt to the United States of America in the
amount of $350. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914. This debt is not dischargeable in the event Plaintiff
seeks relief under the bankruptcy provisions of the United States Code. See 11 U.S.C. §
523(a)(17). The Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) of 1996 permits a prisoner to file a
civil action without prepayment of fees or security, but requires the prisoner “to pay the full
amount of the filing fee” as funds are available. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a), (b). The agency
having custody of Plaintiff shall collect payments from Plaintiff’s prisoner trust account
in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1) and (2), until the full filing fee is paid. See
Torres v. O’Quinn, 612 F.3d 237, 252 (4th Cir. 2010) (“We hold that 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2)
caps the amount of funds that may be withdrawn from an inmate’s trust account at a
maximum of twenty percent regardless of the number of cases or appeals the inmate has
filed.”) (emphasis in original).
Plaintiff has submitted an Application to Proceed Without Prepayment of Fees and
Affidavit (Form AO 240), which is construed as a Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma
pauperis. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1), (2). A review of the motion reveals that Plaintiff does
not have the funds to pay the first installment of the filing fee. Therefore, the amount due
from Plaintiff is currently $350.
Plaintiff’s Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis is granted. [Entry #13].
TO THE CLERK OF COURT:
This case is subject to summary dismissal based on an initial screening conducted
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1915 and/or 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. Therefore, the Clerk of Court shall
not issue the summonses or forward this matter to the United States Marshal for service of
process at this time.
TO PLAINTIFF:
Plaintiff must place the civil action number listed above (C/A No.: 1:12-01615-JMCSVH) on any document provided to the court pursuant to this order. Any future filings in
this case must be sent to 901 Richland Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. All
documents requiring Plaintiff’s signature shall be signed with Plaintiff’s full legal name
written in Plaintiff’s own handwriting. Pro se litigants shall not use the “s/typed name”
format used in the Electronic Case Filing System. In all future filings with this court,
Plaintiff is directed to use letter-sized (eight and one-half inches by eleven inches) paper
only, to write or type text on one side of a sheet of paper only and not to write or type on both
sides of any sheet of paper. Plaintiff is further instructed not to write to the edge of the
paper, but to maintain one inch margins on the top, bottom, and sides of each paper
submitted.
Plaintiff is a pro se litigant. Plaintiff’s attention is directed to the following important
notice:
You are ordered to always keep the Clerk of Court advised in writing (901
Richland Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201) if your address changes
for any reason, so as to assure that orders or other matters that specify
deadlines for you to meet will be received by you. If as a result of your failure
to comply with this order, you fail to meet a deadline set by this court, your
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case may be dismissed for violating this order. Therefore, if you have a
change of address before this case is ended, you must comply with this order
by immediately advising the Clerk of Court in writing of such change of
address and providing the court with the docket number of all pending cases
you have filed with this court. Your failure to do so will not be excused by the
court.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
August 3, 2012
Columbia, South Carolina
Shiva V. Hodges
United States Magistrate Judge
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