Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-02829/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-02829-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1981 Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DARREL L. ESPINOSA,

Plaintiff,

v.

WHITEPAGES, INC., a Delaware 

corporation doing business as 

whitepages.com,

Defendant.

No. 2:14-cv-2829-MCE-EFB (PS)

ORDER

Plaintiff Darrel L. Espinosa (“Plaintiff) is proceeding without counsel and in forma 

pauperis in this action, which he originally filed on December 4, 2014. ECF No. 1. On 

November 13, 2015, this Court dismissed the case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2) as frivolous 

and for failure to state a claim. ECF No. 59. On November 20, 2015, Plaintiff filed a notice of 

appeal. ECF No. 61. Thereafter, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 

requested that this Court determine whether Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis status should continue 

on appeal or whether the appeal is frivolous or taken in bad faith. ECF No. 63. 

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), “[a]n appeal may not be taken in forma pauperis if the 

trial court certifies in writing that it is not taken in good faith.” The good faith standard is an 

objective one. See Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 455 (1962). A plaintiff satisfies the 

“good faith” requirement if he or she seeks review of any issue that is “not frivolous.” Gardner v. 

Case 2:14-cv-02829-MCE-EFB Document 65 Filed 01/15/16 Page 1 of 2
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Pogue, 558 F.2d 548, 551 (9th Cir. 1977) (quoting Coppedge, 369 U.S. at 455). For purposes of 

§ 1915, an appeal is frivolous if it lacks any arguable basis in law or fact. Neitzke v. Williams, 

490 U.S. 319, 325, 327 (1989). 

For the reasons stated in the magistrate judge’s Findings and Recommendations (ECF No. 

56), which the Court adopted in full on November 13, 2015 (ECF No. 59), the Court now finds 

that Plaintiff’s complaint is frivolous. The Court thus certifies that Plaintiff’s appeal is frivolous 

and that it is appropriate to revoke Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis status for purposes of the appeal.

Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that the Clerk of Court is directed to notify the Ninth 

Circuit Court of Appeals that the Court certifies, pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 

24(a)(3)(A), that Plaintiff’s appeal is not taken in good faith, and he must therefore seek further 

authorization from the Court of Appeals pursuant to Rule 24(a)(5) to obtain leave to proceed in 

forma pauperis on appeal.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 14, 2016

Case 2:14-cv-02829-MCE-EFB Document 65 Filed 01/15/16 Page 2 of 2