Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_09-cv-02884/USCOURTS-casd-3_09-cv-02884-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 371
Nature of Suit: Truth in Lending
Cause of Action: 15:1601 Truth in Lending

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09cv2884

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JAMES SORRELS and JODI SORRELS,,

Plaintiffs,

v.

J.P. MORGAN CHASE NATIONAL

CORPORATE SERVICES, INC, et al.,

Defendants.

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Civil No. 09cv2884 L(WMc)

ORDER DENYING MOTION TO

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

and DISMISSING ACTION

WITHOUT PREJUDICE

On December 23, 2009, plaintiffs, who are represented by counsel, filed a coomplaint

alleging violation of the Truth-in-Lending Act, breach of written contract, breach of the implied

covenant of good faith and fair dealing, negligence, fraud, conspiracy to defraud, forgery, unjust

enrichment, and negligent misrepresentation. At the same time, plaintiffs filed a motion to

proceed in forma pauperis and supporting declaration.

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

States, except an application for writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing fee of $350.00 See 28

U.S.C. § 1915(a). An action may proceed despite a plaintiff’s failure to prepay the entire fee

only if the plaintiff is granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis ("IFP") pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §

1915(a). See Rodriguez v. Cook, 169 F.3d 1176, 1177 (9th Cir. 1999). The benefit of

proceeding IFP is a privilege, not a right. Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1231 (9th Cir.

1984). As 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1) states, in part:

Case 3:09-cv-02884-L-WMC Document 3 Filed 01/04/10 Page 1 of 3
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Any court of the United States may authorize the commencement, prosecution or

defense of any suit, action or proceeding, civil or criminal, or appeal therein,

without prepayment of fees or security therefor, by a person who submits an

affidavit that includes a statement of all assets such person possesses that the

person is unable to pay such fees or give security therefor.

28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1) (emphasis added).

A plaintiff need not "be absolutely destitute to enjoy the benefit of this statute." Adkins v.

E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339 (1948); Jefferson v. U.S., 277 F.2d 723, 725

(9th Cir. 1960), cert. denied, 364 U.S. 896 (1960). He must, however, demonstrate his poverty

with "some particularity, definiteness, and certainty." United States v. McQuade, 647 F.2d 938,

940 (9th Cir. 1981)(per curiam ). "[T]he same even-handed care must be employed to assure

that federal funds are not squandered to underwrite, at public expense, either frivolous claims or

the remonstrances of a suitor who is financially able, in whole or in material part, to pull his own

oar." Temple v. Ellerthorpe, 586 F. Supp. 848, 850 (D.R.I. 1984). 

Here, plaintiffs indicate that their combined take-home salary is $2,995.00, and they

receive a $2,000.00 per month housing allowance. Their checking account balance is $1,000.00. 

Additionally, the plaintiffs have approximately $8,000.00 in a credit union account and each

have approximately $1,800.00 in IRA accounts. Their car is not financed and no debt is listed in

their motion and declaration. The plaintiffs provide $100.00 per month to plaintiff Jodi Sorrels’s

mother.

Having reviewed plaintiffs’ financial information, the Court finds no basis whatsoever to

allow this action to go forward without the payment of the filing fee. Accordingly, plaintiffs’

motion to proceed in forma pauperis is DENIED, and the complaint is DISMISSED without

prejudice. Pursuant to this Order, plaintiffs are granted 30 days in which to pay the filing fee

required to maintain this action or to file an amended motion and declaration under penalty of

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3 09cv2884

 perjury in support of the motion to proceed in forma pauperis which provides any and all

information supporting in forma pauperis status. If plaintiffs choose to file an amended IFP

motion as provided herein, they must attach a copy of this Order.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: January 4, 2010

M. James Lorenz

United States District Court Judge

COPY TO: 

HON. WILLIAM McCURINE, JR.

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

ALL PARTIES/COUNSEL 

Case 3:09-cv-02884-L-WMC Document 3 Filed 01/04/10 Page 3 of 3