Wilkerson v. The City of Dallas, et al.

Filing 5

Order Accepting 4 Findings and Recommendations. The court certifies that any appeal of this action would not be taken in good faith. The court dismisses without prejudice this action. The court also denies as moot Plaintiff 3 Motion For Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. (Ordered by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 10/12/2017) (epm)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
DALLAS DIVISION
SENRICK WILKERSON, #1885146,
Plaintiff,
v.
THE CITY OF DALLAS; THE CITY
OF DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT;
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND
OFFICIALS; and THE SHERIFF’S
DEPARTMENT OF DALLAS ,
Defendants.

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Civil Action No. 3:17-CV-1103-L

ORDER
On August 16, 2017, United States Magistrate Judge Paul D. Stickney entered the Findings,
Conclusions and Recommendation of the United States Magistrate Judge (“Report”), recommending
that the court dismiss without prejudice this action as barred by the three strikes provision in 28
U.S.C. § 1915(g) because Plaintiff has not paid the prior $200 sanction imposed against him for
filing frivolous actions or obtained the court’s permission to file this action. The magistrate judge
further concluded that, to the extent Plaintiff seeks habeas relief, the case should still be dismissed
without prejudice as successive. No objections to the Report were filed.
Having considered the pleadings, file, record in this case, and Report, the court determines
that the findings and conclusions of the magistrate judge are correct, and accepts them as those of
the court. The court, therefore, dismisses without prejudice this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §
1915(g) and for the other reasons set forth in the Report. The court also denies as moot Plaintiff
Motion For Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Doc. 3), filed April 26, 2017.

Order – Page 1

The court prospectively certifies that any appeal of this action would not be taken in good
faith. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3); Fed. R. App. 24(a)(3). In support of this certification, the court
accepts and incorporates by reference the Report. See Baugh v. Taylor, 117 F.3d 197, 202 and
n.21 (5th Cir. 1997). Based on the Report, the court finds that any appeal of this action would
present no legal point of arguable merit and would, therefore, be frivolous. See Howard v. King, 707
F.2d 215, 220 (5th Cir. 1983). Plaintiff, however, may challenge this finding pursuant to Baugh v.
Taylor, 117 F. 3d 197 (5th Cir. 1997), by filing a separate motion to proceed in forma pauperis on
appeal with the Clerk of Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, within 30 days
of this order. The cost to file a motion to proceed on appeal with the Fifth Circuit is $505. Because
Plaintiff has accumulated three strikes, he cannot file any new lawsuit or appeal, as long as he is
incarcerated, without first prepaying the filing fee, unless he can show that he is in imminent danger
of serious physical injury. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). Plaintiff has not made the required showing of
imminent danger of a serious physical injury in this case. Therefore, he cannot take advantage of the
initial partial payment provision of Section 1915. Accordingly, if Plaintiff appeals, he must pay the
$505 fee in full immediately. As provided above, however, Plaintiff may challenge this
determination by filing a separate motion to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal, with the Fifth
Circuit, within 30 days of this order.*
*

To the extent Petitioner seeks habeas relief, Rule 11 of the Rules Governing §§ 2254 and 2255 Cases provides
as follows:
(a)
Certificate of Appealability. The district court must issue or deny a certificate of
appealability when it enters a final order adverse to the applicant. Before entering the final order, the
court may direct the parties to submit arguments on whether a certificate should issue. If the court
issues a certificate, the court must state the specific issue or issues that satisfy the showing required
by 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). If the court denies a certificate, the parties may not appeal the denial but
may seek a certificate from the court of appeals under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 22. A
motion to reconsider a denial does not extend the time to appeal.

Order – Page 2

It is so ordered this 12th day of October, 2017.

_________________________________
Sam A. Lindsay
United States District Judge

(b)
Time to Appeal. Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(a) governs the time to
appeal an order entered under these rules. A timely notice of appeal must be filed even if the district
court issues a certificate of appealability.
Order – Page 3