Lewis et al v. Kenosha Visiting Nurse Association et al

Filing 13

ORDER signed by Judge Rudolph T. Randa on 2/14/2014 that Plaintiff shall not be required to pay an initial partial filing fee in this action. (cc: all counsel, via US mail to William Lewis at Kenosha County Jail and Kenosha County Sheriff)(cb)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF WISCONSIN

WILLIAM L. LEWIS,
Plaintiff,
-vs-

Case No. 13-C-1210

KENOSHA VISITING NURSE
ASSOCIATION, et al,
Defendants.

ORDER

The plaintiff, a prisoner proceeding pro se, filed a complaint in the above
captioned action. The plaintiff has also filed a petition for leave to proceed in forma
pauperis. The total cost of filing a civil action is $400.00, which includes the $350.00
statutory filing fee and a $50.00 administrative fee. However, the $50.00 administrative
fee does not apply to persons granted in forma pauperis status. Pursuant to the Prison
Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), a prisoner plaintiff proceeding in forma pauperis is
required to pay the statutory filing fee of $350.00 for any civil action. See 28 U.S.C. §
1915(b)(1).
Under the PLRA, which amended the in forma pauperis statute, the court must
assess an initial partial filing fee of twenty percent of the average monthly deposits to the
plaintiff's account or average monthly balance in the plaintiff's prison account for the sixmonth period immediately preceding the filing of the complaint, whichever is greater. Id.
After the initial fee is paid, the prisoner must make monthly payments of twenty percent

of the preceding month's income until the filing fee is paid in full. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2).
“The agency having custody of the prisoner shall forward payments from the prisoner’s
account to the Clerk of the Court each time the amount in the account exceeds $10 until
the filing fees are paid.” Id.
The plaintiff filed a certified copy of his prisoner trust account statement for the 6month period immediately preceding the filing of the complaint as required under 28
U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2). A review of this information reveals that, for the 6-month period
immediately preceding the filing of the complaint, the average monthly deposit in the
plaintiff's prison account was zero and the average monthly balance to the account was
zero. Thus, the plaintiff has neither assets nor means to pay the initial partial filing fee.
A prisoner will not be prohibited from bringing a civil action for the reason that he
lacks the assets and means to pay an initial partial filing fee. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(4).
Therefore, the plaintiff will be granted a waiver of payment of the initial partial filing fee
in this case. However, he is still obligated to pay the full filing fee pursuant to the
statutory formula set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2). See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1).
The PLRA also provides that if a prisoner files more than three actions or appeals
which are dismissed as frivolous, malicious, or for failure to state a claim upon which
relief can be granted, the prisoner will be prohibited from bringing any other actions in
forma pauperis unless the prisoner is in imminent danger of serious physical injury. 28
U.S.C. § 1915(g). In the event that this action is later dismissed for any of the above
reasons, it will have an impact on the prisoner's ability to bring other actions in forma
pauperis. Accordingly, the plaintiff will be afforded an opportunity to voluntarily dismiss

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this action to avoid incurring a "strike" under section 1915(g).
Notice to Plaintiff: If you do not wish to pay the filing fee as set forth in this
order or do not wish to proceed with this action to avoid incurring a “strike” under
§1915(g), you must notify the court by filing a letter with the Clerk of Court on or before
March 7, 2014, stating that you do not wish to prosecute this civil action. If you write
such a letter, this case will be dismissed without prejudice. Voluntary dismissal will not be
counted as a "strike" under §1915(g).
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§ 1915(b)(4), the plaintiff will not be required to pay an initial partial filing fee.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if he wishes to voluntarily dismiss this action
to avoid the possibility of incurring a strike under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), the plaintiff shall
so notify the court on or before March 7, 2014.
Upon expiration of the specified time, the court will determine whether the action
can continue in forma pauperis. The court will review the complaint to determine that the
action is not frivolous or malicious and that the complaint states a claim upon which relief
can be granted. If the complaint does not meet this standard, the action will be dismissed.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this order be sent to the Kenosha
County Sheriff.
Dated at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this 14th day of February, 2014.
BY THE COURT:
__________________________
HON. RUDOLPH T. RANDA
U.S. District Judge

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