Wilson v. Texas Department Of Criminal Justice

Filing 96

ORDER denying 95 Motion for Transcripts.(Signed by Magistrate Judge Brian L Owsley) Parties notified.(lcayce, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS CORPUS CHRISTI DIVISION PERCY LEROY WILSON, TDCJ-CID #621089, v. § § § § TEXAS DEP'T OF CRIM. JUSTICE, ET AL. §

C.A. NO. C-08-041

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR TRANSCRIPTS This is a civil rights action filed by a state prisoner pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Pending is plaintiff's motion for transcripts at the government's expense. (D.E. 95). Specifically, he seeks the "entire transcript of proceedings." Id. at 2. It is unclear as to exactly what transcript he is seeking.1 Federal law dictates that "[f]ees for transcripts furnished in ... proceedings to persons permitted to appeal in forma pauperis shall ... be paid by the United States if the trial judge or a circuit judge certifies that the appeal is not frivolous (but presents a substantial question)." 28 U.S.C. § 753(f). The Fifth Circuit has explained that "[i]n order to succeed on a motion for production of transcripts at government expense, a party must also show why the transcripts are necessary for proper disposition of his appeal." Norton v. Dimanzana, 122 F.3d 286, 293 (5th Cir. 1997) (citing Harvey v. Andrist, 754 F.2d 569, 571 (5th Cir. 1985)). Plaintiff was present for the telephonic hearings in this action. He has failed to specify how any of the transcripts are necessary to effectively argue his appeal. He has not addressed why he is unable to argue his appeal based on his personal knowledge of the hearings as well as

Indeed, at times he appears to confuse designating portions of the records with requesting transcripts from specific hearings. (D.E. 95, at 2-3).

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on the motions and orders addressing those motions. Moreover, as this is an unauthorized interlocutory appeal, 28 U.S.C. § 1292, it is also frivolous. Accordingly, plaintiff's motion for transcripts at the government's expense, (D.E. 95), is DENIED. ORDERED this 24th day of November 2008.

___________________________________ BRIAN L. OWSLEY UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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