Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-00597/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-00597-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 18:241 Conspiracy Against Citizen Rights

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t2 APR - 5 AM 10: I 7 

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DEPUTY 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

MICHAEL L. STEWART, 

Plaintiff, 

vs. 

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL; STUDIO 15; 

JESUS GONZALEZ; and OFFICER 

SUPERVILL, 

Defendants. 

CASE NO. 12-cv-597 - BEN (KSC) 

ORDER: 

(1) DENYING REQUEST TO 

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS, 

[Doc. No.2]; 

(2) DISMISSING COMPLAINT; and 

(3) DENYING AS MOOT PENDING 

MOTIONS, [Doc. Nos. 4, 6]. 

Plaintiff Michael L. Stewart, proceeding pro se, has filed a complaint alleging violation ofhis 

civil rights as a result of Defendants' alleged policy prohibiting him from assembling on a public 

sidewalk. [Doc. No.1.] Plaintiff has not paid the $350 civil filing fee required to commence this 

action, but has filed a motion to proceed informa pauperis. [Doc. No.2.] Plaintiff also filed a motion 

to "add names ofdefendants" in this and in the related action, Stewart v. Saint Vincent de Paul, Case 

No. 12-cv-00642-BEN-KSC, and a request to have filings and orders in this case deemed as though 

they are filed in both this case and in the related case. [Doc. Nos. 4, 6.] For the reasons set forth 

below, the Court DENIES the motion to proceed informa pauperis, DISMISSES the complaint for 

failure to pay the filing fee, and DENIES AS MOOT all pending motions. 

- I - 12cv597 

Case 3:12-cv-00597-BEN-KSC Document 7 Filed 04/05/12 Page 1 of 3
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DISCUSSION 

Parties instituting any civil action in a district court ofthe United States, except an application 

for a writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing fee of$350. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). An action may 

proceed despite a plaintiffs failure to prepay the entire fee only if the plaintiff is granted leave to 

proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). See Rodriguezv. Cook, 169F.3d 1176, 

1177 (9th Cir. 1999). "All actions soughtto be filed in fonna pauperis, pursuantto 28 U.S.C. § 1915, 

must be accompanied by an affidavit that includes a statement of all assets which shows inability to 

pay initial fees or give security. This affidavit must consist of a declaration in support ofrequest to 

proceed in fonna pauperis." ClV. L.R. 3.2(a). In considering a non-prisoner's request to proceed in 

forma pauperis, the Court may, in its discretion, "impose a partial filing fee which is less than the full 

filing fee that is required by law, but which is commensurate with the applicant's ability to pay." ClV. 

L.R. 3.2(d); see also Olivares v. Marshall, 59 F.3d 109, 111 (9th Cir. 1995) ("Although it is not 

axiomatic, the greater power to waive all fees includes the lesser power to set partial fees."). "When 

detennining the ability of an in fonna pauperis plaintiff to pay a partial filing fee, the court may 

consider the plaintiff s cash flow in the recent past, and the extent to which the plaintiff has depleted 

his savings on nonessentials." Alexander v. Carson Adult High Sch., 9 F.3d 1448, 1449 (9th Cir. 

1993); see also CIV. L.R. 3.2(e) ("In order to qualify for a [partial fee] waiver, the person must justify 

depletions ofthe previously adequate account or income history to show that the depletion was not a 

deliberate attempt to avoid payment of initial filing fees."). 

In this case, Plaintiff s declaration in support of his motion to proceed in forma pauperis 

indicates that he is not currently incarcerated. It further indicates that although Plaintiff is currently 

unemployed, he does receive monthly disability payments totaling $950.00. Plaintiff has a checking 

account, with a present balance of "$0.00." Plaintiff indicates that he owns a 2001 Mercedes s430, 

which is financed, with $10,000.00 still owed. Plaintiff indicates that there are no persons that depend 

on him for support. Finally, Plaintifflists the following as his current obligations (which the Court 

assumes refer to monthly payments): car payment-$460.00; insurance-$160.00; phone-$95.00; 

storage-$60.00; credit card-$40.00; laundry-$50.00; gas-$150.00; and food-$50.00. 

-2- 12cv597 

III 

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Having reviewed Plaintiff's declaration in support ofhis motion, the Court finds it insufficient 

to show that Plaintiff is unable to pay the fees or post securities required to maintain this action. In 

reaching this decision, the Court is mindful, of course, that the imposition of a filing fee should not 

take an individual's last dollar. See Olivares, 59 F.3d at 112 ("[T]he filing fee, while discretionary, 

should not take the prisoner's last dollar ."). Nonetheless, considering all ofthe information submi tted 

by Plaintiff, the Court is not convinced that, "because ofpoverty, there is an inability to pay the initial 

costs ofthe proceedings or give security therefore." See ClV. L.R. 3.2(a)(7). Accordingly, the Court 

DENIES Plaintiff's motion to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). 

CONCLUSION 

For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiffs motion to proceed in forma pauperis is DENIED. If 

Plaintiff believes that he is entitled to a partial fee waiver pursuant to Civil Local Rule 3 .2( d), Plaintiff 

must submit a declaration requesting the same and detailing Plaintiffs current and past income and 

obligations. Any such declaration should be submitted within 21 days of the filing ofthis Order. 

The Court DISMISSES the Complaint for failure to pay the filing fee. The Clerk of Court 

shall reopen the case if, within 21 days of the filing ofthis Order, Plaintiff pays the $350 filing fee. 

All ofPlaintiffs pending motions are DENIED AS MOOT. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Date: AP;6012 

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