Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_10-cv-04698/USCOURTS-cand-4_10-cv-04698-6/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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United States District Court 

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

DWIGHT DWAYNE GRANDBERRY,

Plaintiff, 

v. 

D. MANTEL, 

Defendant. 

Case No. 10-cv-04698-SBA (PR) 

CERTIFICATE THAT APPEAL IS 

TAKEN IN GOOD FAITH

The Court previously granted summary judgment in favor of Salinas Valley State 

Prison (“SVSP”) correctional staff on Plaintiff Dwight Dwayne Grandberry’s equal 

protection claim. On appeal, the Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment as to 

Defendants Chief Deputy Warden G. D. Lewis and Correctional Sergeant A. Meza, but 

reversed as to Correctional Captain D. Mantel. The appellate court, however, did not 

consider or reverse this Court’s alternative finding that Defendant Mantel is entitled to 

qualified immunity. On remand, the Court reviewed its qualified immunity analysis in a 

manner consistent with the Court of Appeal’s decision, and concluded that remaining 

Defendant D. Mantel was entitled to judgment. Defendant has appealed that ruling. 

On October 19, 2015, the Court of Appeals referred this case to the district court 

“for the limited purpose of determining whether [IFP] status should continue for this 

appeal or whether the appeal is frivolous or taken in bad faith.” Dkt. 90 at 1. A litigant 

who was previously permitted to proceed IFP may maintain such status on appeal unless 

the district court certifies that the appeal is not taken in good faith or finds that the party is 

not otherwise entitled to proceed IFP. See Fed. R.App. P. 24(a)(3)(A). Similarly, 28 

U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) provides that “[a]n appeal may not be taken [IFP] if the trial court 

certifies in writing that it is not taken in good faith.” For purposes of section 1915, an 

Case 4:10-cv-04698-SBA Document 91 Filed 11/13/15 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court 

Northern District of California

appeal is frivolous if it lacks any arguable basis in law or fact. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 

U.S. 319, 325, 327 (1989). Although concluding that Mantel is entitled to qualified 

immunity, the Court does not find that Plaintiff’s appeal of its decision is “not taken in 

good faith.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3). Accordingly, Plaintiff’s IFP status should continue 

for purposes of his appeal. The Clerk of the Court shall process this appeal in the usual 

manner and shall send a copy of this Order to the parties and to the Ninth Circuit. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: 11/11/15 ______________________________ 

SAUNDRA BROWN ARMSTRONG 

Senior United States District Judge 

P:\PRO-SE\SBA\CR.10\Grandberry4698.grantAFP.docx 

Case 4:10-cv-04698-SBA Document 91 Filed 11/13/15 Page 2 of 2