Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00636/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00636-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 895
Nature of Suit: Freedom of Information Act of 1974
Cause of Action: 05:552 Freedom of Information Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JAMES E. SMITH, )

)

)

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. )

)

)

ESCROW AND COUNTY TREASURY, )

et al., )

)

)

Defendants. )

 )

1:07-cv-00636 AWI GSA

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S

MOTION FOR INJUNCTIVE AND

DECLARATORY RELIEF

(Document 10)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION

FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF OR TO COMPEL

(Document 11)

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF AN

EXTENSION TO COMPLY WITH THE

COURT’S DECEMBER 12, 2007, ORDER

(Document 9)

Plaintiff, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, filed his complaint on April 26, 2007. 

However, Plaintiff has not paid the $350.00 filing fee or submitted an application to proceed in

forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Therefore, on October 31, 2007, the Court ordered

Plaintiff to submit an application to proceed in forma pauperis or pay the filing fee. On

December 7, 2007, Plaintiff filed a document entitled “Motion for Injunctive Relief Requiring

Defendants to Process Plaintiff In Forma Pauperis Application.” (Document 8.) Plaintiff

requested an injunction ordering defendants to process his second in forma pauperis application. 

On December 12, 2007, the Court denied Plaintiff’s motion and ordered him to submit an

application to proceed in forma pauperis or pay the filing fee. (Document 9.)

On December 10, 2007, Plaintiff filed a document entitled “Motion for Injunctive &

Declaratory Relief.” (Document 10.) Plaintiff explains that he submitted an in forma pauperis

application to the trust office for processing on December 6, 2007, and requested a certified six

Case 1:07-cv-00636-AWI-GSA Document 12 Filed 01/09/08 Page 1 of 3
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month trust statement from “CCI Garza.” In addition, Plaintiff contends that he has suffered and

will continue to suffer severe emotional distress and irreparable injuries. Plaintiff asks the Court

to “order respondents to process his six months trust application” and to award him attorney fees,

costs and equitable relief. 

Subsequently, on January 2, 2008, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Injunctive Relief or To

Compel. (Document 11.) Plaintiff alleges that he submitted two in forma pauperis applications

and that the accounting office refuses to give him information regarding his trust account. He

also contends that when he submits applications for “mail out or canteen draws” the office

returns the order form or “outright steal the money.” Plaintiff further alleges that he has

submitted applications to his “correctional counselor Garza” and the money did not make it to

the person he attempted to mail it to. Plaintiff avers that this is an “ongoing problem.” 

Therefore, Plaintiff requests that the Court (1) grant him access to the money in his trust account;

(2) declare that defendants have violated his rights; (3) order defendants to process Plaintiff’s

application; (4) grant Plaintiff an extension of time to submit the application or pay the filing

fees; and (5) grant Plaintiff attorney fees and costs. 

The Court has no authority over prison officials and therefore cannot compel the trust

account office to complete and submit Plaintiff’s application. By this order, Plaintiff shall be

provided with thirty additional days within which to comply with the Court’s order of December

12, 2007. In the Court’s experience, each prison has a procedure for submitting applications to

proceed in forma pauperis. Although it may take some time for the prison to complete the form

and send it to the court, utter noncompliance by prison officials in this area is not a problem this

Court has encountered before. Plaintiff shall show this order to his correctional counselor,

request further instruction, and comply with whatever instructions are given. In the event that

Plaintiff’s application is currently pending with the trust account office, it is requested that

Plaintiff’s counselor seek the status and inform Plaintiff of the status.

In addition, Plaintiff has filed two separate motions to set a mandatory scheduling

conference and require the parties to confer. (Documents 4 and 7.) Plaintiff is advised that the

Court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a governmental

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entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court must

dismiss a complaint or portion thereof if the prisoner has raised claims that are legally "frivolous

or malicious," that fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or that seek monetary

relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1),(2). The

Court will not direct the United States Marshal to serve Plaintiff’s complaint or address any

motions until the Court has screened the complaint and determined that it contains cognizable

claims for relief against named defendants. 

Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s motion for Injunctive & Declaratory Relief, filed on December 10,

2007, is DENIED;

2. Plaintiff’s motion for Injunctive Relief or To Compel, filed on January 2, 2008, is

DENIED;

3. Plaintiff is granted an extension of thirty (30) days from the date of service of

this order within which to comply with the Court’s Order of December 12, 2007. 

Failure of Plaintiff to comply with the Court’s order will result in a

recommendation that this action be dismissed.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: January 9, 2008 /s/ Gary S. Austin 

60kij UNI 8 TED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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