Cook v. Rubenstein et al

Filing 7

ORDER granting 3 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis. Signed by Judge James E. Seibert on 7/20/07. copy to pro se pla., trustee, fin. admin.(njz)

Cook v. Rubenstein et al

Doc. 7

Case 3:07-cv-00091-JPB-JES

Document 7

Filed 07/20/2007

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA JUSTIN COOK, Plaintiff, v. JIM RUBENSTEIN, et al., Defendants. ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION TO PROCEED WITHOUT PREPAYMENT OF FEES On July 19, 2007, the pro se Plaintiff, Justin Cook, filed a Civil Rights Complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. In addition, the Plaintiff filed a Motion for leave to proceed without prepayment of fees, a prisoner trust account report, and a consent to collection of fees from his trust account. 28 U.S.C. § 1915 requires prisoners to pay the full filing fee, $350.00, when bringing a civil action in forma pauperis. 28 U.S.C. § 1915 (b)(1) (1996). If, however, insufficient funds exist in the prisoner's account to pay the full filing fee at the time of filing, the court must assess and, when funds exist, collect an initial filing fee of twenty percent (20%) of the greater of the average monthly deposits to the prisoner's account or the average monthly balance in the prisoner's account for the prior six month period. Id. Thereafter, the prisoner is required to make monthly payments of twenty percent (20%) of the preceding month's income. Id. The agency having custody of the prisoner must forward payments from the prisoner's account to the Clerk of Court each time the amount in the account exceeds $10.00 until the filing fee is paid in full. Id. When filing an Civil Action No. 3:07cv91 (Judge Bailey)

Dockets.Justia.com

Case 3:07-cv-00091-JPB-JES

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application to proceed without prepayment of fees, the prisoner must submit an affidavit alleging that he is unable to prepay court filing fees. The prisoner must include a statement of all assets that a prisoner possesses and a certified copy of his trust fund account statement. 28 U.S.C. §1915 (a)(1) & (2). Because it appears that insufficient funds exist in Plaintiff's account to pay the full filing fee at this time, Plaintiff's request to proceed without prepayment of fees is GRANTED. Plaintiff's ledger sheets reflect a balance of $175.14, and average monthly deposits of $155.07. Accordingly, consistent with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915, this Court hereby ORDERS that: 1. A copy of this Order shall be forwarded to the Trustee Officer of the institution

having custody of Plaintiff along with a copy of the executed consent to collection of fees from trust account form. Pursuant to the consent to collection of fees from trust account form executed by Plaintiff, the Trustee Officer of the institution having custody of Plaintiff shall (a) forward to the Financial Deputy Clerk, in the form of a check or money order payable to "Clerk, U.S. District Court," P. O. Box 1518, Elkins, West Virginia 26241, the initial filing fee of $31.14 when Plaintiff has the funds to pay the initial filing fee and (b) automatically make monthly assessments upon Plaintiff's trust account of 20% of the preceding month's income toward the filing fee and shall forward such assessments to the Financial Deputy Clerk of Court in the form of a check or money order at the above-mentioned address each time the amount in the account exceeds $10.00, until the full filing fee ($350.00) is paid. Payments shall be clearly identified with the name and number assigned to this action. At the time the filing fee is paid in full, the Financial Deputy of Court shall file with the Court a notice that the filing fee has been paid; 2. Upon the Financial Deputy Clerk's receipt of the initial partial filing fee, the

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Financial Deputy Clerk shall notify the Clerk of the appropriate district court that this initial partial filing fee has been paid. 3. Any recovery in this action will be subject to an applicable service of process fee

assessed by the U.S. Marshal; 4. Plaintiff shall notify the Clerk of Court immediately upon his transfer or release and

shall provide a new address if known. FAILURE TO NOTIFY THE COURT OF SUCH A CHANGE OF ADDRESS MAY RESULT IN DISMISSAL OF THIS CASE WITHOUT PREJUDICE; IT IS SO ORDERED. The Clerk is directed to transmit copies of this Order to Plaintiff, to the Financial Deputy Clerk of Court, and to the Trustee Clerk of the institution having custody of Plaintiff. DATED: July 20, 2007 /s/ James E. Seibert JAMES E. SEIBERT UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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