Edenstrom v. United States Coast Guard

Filing 2

ORDER granting 1 Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis; signed by Judge Ronald B. Leighton.(DN) Modified on 12/14/2017 (DN). (cc to pltf)

HONORABLE RONALD B. LEIGHTON

1
2
3
4
5
6

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT TACOMA

7
8

THEODORE B EDENSTROM,

CASE NO. C17-5658RBL

9
Plaintiff,
10
11
12

v.

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR
LEAVE TO PROCEED IN FORMA
PAUPERIS

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD,
Defendant.

13
14

THIS MATTER is before the Court on Plaintiff Edenstrom’s Motion for Leave to

15

Proceed in forma pauperis, supported by his proposed complaint. [Dkt. #1] THIS MATTER is

16

before the Court on Plaintiffs Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis [Dkt. #2].

17

A district court may permit indigent litigants to proceed in forma pauperis upon

18

completion of a proper affidavit of indigency. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). The court has broad

19

discretion in resolving the application, but “the privilege of proceeding in forma pauperis in civil

20

actions for damages should be sparingly granted.” Weller v. Dickson, 314 F.2d 598, 600 (9th

21

Cir. 1963), cert. denied 375 U.S. 845 (1963). Moreover, a court should “deny leave to proceed

22

in forma pauperis at the outset if it appears from the face of the proposed complaint that the

23

action is frivolous or without merit.” Tripati v. First Nat’l Bank & Trust, 821 F.2d 1368, 1369

24
ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR LEAVE TO
PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS - 1

1

(9th Cir. 1987) (citations omitted); see also 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)(i). An in forma pauperis

2

complaint is frivolous if “it ha[s] no arguable substance in law or fact.” Id. (citing Rizzo v.

3

Dawson, 778 F.2d 527, 529 (9th Cir. 1985); Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1228 (9th Cir.

4

1984).

5
6
7

Edenstrom has met this standard. The Motion to Proceed in forma pauperis [Dkt. #1] is
GRANTED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.

8
9

Dated this 14th day of December, 2017.

11

A

12

Ronald B. Leighton
United States District Judge

10

13

14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR LEAVE TO
PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS - 2