Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-00246/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-00246-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

JERRY BOWMAN, aka ABDULLAH 

MUHAMMED NAYM SALAAM, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

MUNDEY, et al., 

Defendants. 

No. 2:16-cv-0246-EFB P 

ORDER GRANTING IFP AND DISMISSING 

COMPLAINT WITH LEAVE TO AMEND 

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding without counsel in an action brought under 42 

U.S.C. § 1983.1 In addition to filing a complaint, plaintiff seeks leave to proceed in forma 

pauperis (“IFP”). 

Plaintiff’s IFP application makes the showing required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1) and (2). 

Accordingly, by separate order, the court directs the agency having custody of plaintiff to collect 

and forward the appropriate monthly payments for the filing fee as set forth in 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(b)(1) and (2). 

 Federal courts must engage in a preliminary screening of cases in which prisoners seek 

redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. 

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 This proceeding was referred to this court by Local Rule 302 pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 

§ 636(b)(1) and is before the undersigned pursuant to plaintiff’s consent. See E.D. Cal. Local 

Rules, Appx. A, at (k)(4). 

Case 2:16-cv-00246-EFB Document 7 Filed 05/17/16 Page 1 of 2
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§ 1915A(a). The court must identify cognizable claims or dismiss the complaint, or any portion 

of the complaint, if the complaint “is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which 

relief may be granted,” or “seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such 

relief.” Id. § 1915A(b). 

The court cannot discharge its duty under § 1915A because plaintiff’s handwriting is so 

small and the text so crowded together that it is not legible. See E.D. Cal. Local Rule 130(b) 

(requiring that complaints be legible). To proceed, plaintiff must file an amended complaint that 

is legible, i.e., larger handwriting or font with adequate spacing between letters, words, and lines 

so that it is readable. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 

1. Plaintiff’s request to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2) is granted. 

2. Plaintiff shall pay the statutory filing fee of $350. All payments shall be collected 

in accordance with the notice to the California Department of Corrections and 

Rehabilitation filed concurrently herewith. 

3. The complaint is dismissed with leave to amend within 30 days. The complaint 

must bear the docket number assigned to this case and be titled “Amended 

Complaint.” Failure to comply with this order will result in dismissal of this 

action for failure to obey a court order and/or failure to prosecute. 

4. The Clerk of Court is directed to send plaintiff the form for use in filing civil rights 

actions in this district. 

Dated: May 17, 2016. 

Case 2:16-cv-00246-EFB Document 7 Filed 05/17/16 Page 2 of 2