Martin v. Jones et al

Filing 4

ORDER DIRECTING PLAINTIFF TO COMPLY WITH 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2) OR PAY THE $400 CIVIL FILING FEE. Signed by Judge James D. Todd on 11/8/16. (Todd, James)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
EASTERN DIVISION
JONATHAN W. MARTIN,

)
)
Plaintiff,
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VS.
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No. 16-1285-JDT-egb
)
LAMAR JONES, ET AL.,
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Defendants.
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________________________________________________________________________
ORDER DIRECTING PLAINTIFF TO COMPLY WITH 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2)
OR PAY THE $400 CIVIL FILING FEE
________________________________________________________________________
On November 7, 2016, Plaintiff Jonathan W. Martin, who is incarcerated at the
Decatur County Jail in Decaturville, Tennessee, filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42
U.S.C. § 1983 and an application to proceed in forma pauperis. (ECF Nos. 1 & 2.)
Under the Prison Litigation Reform Act (“PLRA”), 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(a)-(b), a
prisoner bringing a civil action must pay the filing fee required by 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a).
Although the obligation to pay the fee accrues at the moment the case is filed, see McGore
v. Wriggleworth, 114 F.3d 601, 605 (6th Cir. 1997), partially overruled on other grounds
by LaFountain v. Harry, 716 F.3d. 944, 951 (6th Cir. 2013), the PLRA provides the
prisoner the opportunity to make a “down payment” of a partial filing fee and pay the
remainder in installments. § 1915(b)(2). However, in order to take advantage of the
installment procedures, the prisoner must properly complete and submit to the district

court, along with the complaint, an in forma pauperis affidavit containing a current
certification by the prison trust account officer and a copy of his trust account statement
for the last six months immediately preceding the filing of the complaint. § 1915(a)(2).
In this case, the affidavit submitted by Plaintiff is not accompanied by a certified
copy of his trust account statement. Accordingly, Plaintiff is ORDERED to submit,
within thirty 30 days after the date of this order, either the entire $400 civil filing fee1 or a
copy of his trust account statement for the last six months.2 If Plaintiff needs additional
time to file the required document, he may request one 30-day extension of time from this
Court. McGore, 114 F.3d at 605.
If Plaintiff timely submits the necessary document and the Court finds that he is
indeed indigent, the Court will grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis and assess a filing
fee of only $350 in accordance with the installment procedures of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b).
However, if the Plaintiff fails to comply with this order in a timely manner, the Court will
deny leave to proceed in forma pauperis, assess the entire $400 filing fee without regard
to the installment payment procedures, and dismiss the action without further notice

1

Twenty-eight U.S.C. § 1914(a) requires a civil filing fee of $350. In addition, § 1914(b)
requires the clerk to “collect from the parties such additional fees…as are prescribed by the
Judicial Conference of the United States.” The Judicial Conference has prescribed an additional
administrative fee of $50 for filing any civil case, except for cases seeking habeas corpus and
cases in which the plaintiff is granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis umder 28 U.S.C. §
1915. Therefore, if Plaintiff is ultimately granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis in
accordance with the PLRA, he will not be responsible for the additional $50 fee.
2

Plaintiff does not need to submit another in forma pauperis affidavit.

pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b), for failure to prosecute. McGore, 114
F.3d at 605.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/James D. Todd_____________
JAMES D. TODD
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

3

Even a voluntary dismissal by Plaintiff will not eliminate the obligation to pay the filing
fee. McGore, 114 F.3d at 607; see also In re Alea, 286 F.3d 378, 381 (6th Cir. 2002).