Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_05-cv-04144/USCOURTS-azd-2_05-cv-04144-0/pdf.json

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

---

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

1

Many inmates apparently believe that they will receive an immediate payout from a

fund established in Hart v. Hill, No. CV 77-0479-PHX-EHC (MS) (D. Ariz.). No such fund

exists. The inmates in Hart asked for injunctive relief and not monetary damages. The Court

at this time expresses no opinion whether Plaintiff’s lawsuit may result in an award of

damages. 

JDDL

WO JDN

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Joseph Contreras,

Plaintiff, 

vs.

Joseph Arpaio,

Defendant. 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

No. CV 05-4144-PHX-MHM (DKD)

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

This is one of more than one thousand civil rights actions filed since September 2004

by Maricopa County Jail inmates.1

 Plaintiff was formerly confined in the Lower Buckeye

Jail in Phoenix, Arizona. Because Plaintiff was a prisoner at the time he filed his Complaint,

he became obligated to pay the $250.00 civil action filing fee. See Taylor v. Delatoore, 281

F.3d 844, 847 (9th Cir. 2002) (“Under the PLRA, all prisoners who file IFP civil actions

must pay the full amount of the filing fee.”); 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). He applied to proceed

in forma pauperis without prepayment of the fees. See Dkt. #1. 

Case 2:05-cv-04144-MHM-DKD Document 5 Filed 04/21/06 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

JDDL - 2 -

Normally, if leave to proceed in forma pauperis is granted, the Court orders the

inmate’s custodian to periodically withdraw funds from the inmate’s account according to

a statutory formula in 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2) until the $250.00 filing fee is paid in full.

Plaintiff, however, no longer has an inmate trust account. Soon after filing his Complaint,

he submitted a change of address to a private residence, showing that he had been released

from jail. See Dkt. #3. Consequently, the $250.00 civil action filing fee is now due in full

unless Plaintiff can show good cause within thirty days why he should not be required to

pay it immediately. 

To comply, Plaintiff must file a pleading entitled “Response.” The response must be

made under penalty of perjury. See 28 U.S.C. § 1746 (the oath requirement may be satisfied

when a person declares under penalty of perjury that the submission is true and correct, and

signs and dates the statement). Plaintiff must either (1) identify his date of release and

promise to pay the $250.00 filing fee within 120 days of the date of his release, or (2) show

good cause why he should not be required to pay the fee within 120 days. If Plaintiff

chooses to demonstrate good cause, he must describe his current financial condition in detail,

including his sources of income, whether he is employed, and any liabilities he may have.

Of course, Plaintiff may simply submit the $250.00 filing fee in lieu of a response. 

Plaintiff should take notice that if he fails to timely comply with every provision of

this Order, or any order entered in this matter, this action will be dismissed pursuant to Rule

41(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. See Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258 (9th

Cir. 1992) (district court may dismiss action for failure to comply with any order of the

court). In addition, until the method of collection of the filing fee is resolved, the Court will

not screen his action under 28 U.S.C. § 1915A.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT: 

(1) Plaintiff shall have thirty (30) days from the date this Order is filed to either pay

the $250.00 filing fee in full or to respond as described in this Order.

Case 2:05-cv-04144-MHM-DKD Document 5 Filed 04/21/06 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

JDDL - 3 -

(2) The Clerk of Court is directed to enter a judgment of dismissal of this action

without prejudice and without further notice if Plaintiff fails to comply.

DATED this 16th day of April, 2006.

Case 2:05-cv-04144-MHM-DKD Document 5 Filed 04/21/06 Page 3 of 3