Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_14-cv-00030/USCOURTS-casd-3_14-cv-00030-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 370
Nature of Suit: Other Fraud
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Injunctive &amp; Declaratory Relief

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

S. MICHAEL COHEN, an individual,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 14cv30-WQH-BLM

ORDER

vs.

ROSA MORENO, and Does 1 through

10, inclusive,

Defendants.

HAYES, Judge:

The matters before the Court are the Motion for Leave to Proceed in Forma

Pauperis (“Motion to Proceed IFP”) and Motion to File Electronically, both filed by

Plaintiff S. Michael Cohen. (ECF Nos. 2, 4).

On January 6, 2014, Plaintiff, proceeding pro se, initiated this action by filing the

Complaint (ECF No. 1), the Motion to Proceed IFP (ECF No. 2), and the Motion to File

Electronically (ECF No. 4). The Complaint alleges claims for fraud, extreme emotional

distress, malicious prosecution and declaratory relief. The Complaint alleges diversity

subject-matter jurisdiction.

MOTION TO PROCEED IFP

All parties instituting a civil action, suit, or proceeding in a district court of the

United States, other than a petition for writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing fee of

$400.00. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a); S.D. Cal. Civ. L.R. 4.5. An action may proceed

despite a party’s failure to pay only if the party is granted leave to proceed in forma

pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). See Rodriguez v. Cook, 169 F.3d 1176, 1177

- 1 - 14cv30-WQH-BLM

Case 3:14-cv-00030-WQH-BLM Document 5 Filed 01/13/14 Page 1 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

(9th Cir. 1999). “To proceed in forma pauperis is a privilege not a right.” Smart v.

Heinze, 347 F.2d 114, 116 (9th Cir. 1965).

In an affidavit, Plaintiff states that he is unemployed, has no income or bank

accounts, and owns no assets of value. Plaintiff states that his daughter supports him

financially and he has “substantial debts.” (ECF No. 2 at 3). Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §

1915(a) and Local Civil Rule 3.2, the Motion to Proceed IFP is granted. 

INITIAL SCREENING OF COMPLAINT

A complaint filed by any person proceeding in forma pauperis pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 1915(a) is subject to mandatory review and sua sponte dismissal to the extent

it “is frivolous or malicious; fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted; or

seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. §

1915(e)(2)(B)(i)-(iii); see Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1126 (9th Cir. 2000) (en

banc). Upon review of the allegations in the Complaint, the Court finds they are

sufficient to satisfy the requirements of section 1915(e)(2)(B). See Teahan v. Wilhelm,

481 F. Supp. 2d 1115, 1119 (S.D. Cal. 2007) (“[T]he sua sponte screening and dismissal

procedure is cumulative of, and not a substitute for, any subsequent Rule 12(b)(6)

motion that the defendant may choose to bring.”).

MOTION TO FILE ELECTRONICALLY

Pursuant to the Electronic Case Filing Administrative Policies and Procedures

Manual of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California (“ECF

Manual”), pro se litigants are required to submit and file all documents in paper form

unless the Court grants the litigant leave to electronically file. See ECF Manual § 2(b). 

Plaintiff states that he has a registered PACER account and has filed documents through

CM/ECF in the Northern District of California for six years. Plaintiff states that he is

a Mexican citizen, and “electronic filing would save time crossing the border and

reduce cost to Plaintiff.” (ECF No. 4 at 1). The Motion to File Electronically is

granted. Plaintiff is required to follow all rules and policies in the ECF Manual,

available via the Court’s website.

- 2 - 14cv30-WQH-BLM

Case 3:14-cv-00030-WQH-BLM Document 5 Filed 01/13/14 Page 2 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

CONCLUSION

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Motion to Proceed IFP (ECF No. 2) is

GRANTED. The Clerk of the Court shall issue a summons and provide Plaintiff with

the summons, certified copies of this Order and the Complaint, and a blank U.S.

Marshal Form 285. Plaintiff shall complete the U.S. Marshal Form 285, and forward

the Form 285 and the designated copies of this Order and the Complaint to the U.S.

Marshal. The U.S. Marshal shall serve a copy of the Complaint and summons upon

Defendant as directed by Plaintiff on the U.S. Marshal Form 285.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Motion to File Electronically is

GRANTED. (ECF No. 4). Plaintiff is required to follow all rules and policies in the

ECF Manual, available via the Court’s website. As stated in the ECF Manual, Plaintiff

“must register as a user with the Clerk’s Office and as a subscriber to PACER within

five (5) days.” ECF Manual § 2(b).

DATED: January 13, 2014

WILLIAM Q. HAYES

United States District Judge

- 3 - 14cv30-WQH-BLM

Case 3:14-cv-00030-WQH-BLM Document 5 Filed 01/13/14 Page 3 of 3