Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_02-cv-05390/USCOURTS-caed-1_02-cv-05390-7/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHARLES HOPKINS, )

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. )

)

)

MOHAMMAD ALI, et al., )

)

Defendant. )

____________________________________)

CV F 02-5390 AWI SMS P

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

TRANSCRIPTS AT GOVERNMENT

EXPENSE 

(Doc. #123)

In this action, Plaintiff Charles Hopkins (“Plaintiff”), brought a civil rights action against

Defendants Ali, Martinez, and Loaiza (“Defendants”) for violations of Plaintiff’s civil rights. 

After a jury trial, on June 29, 2005, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Defendants. Pursuant

to Plaintiff’s request, the court granted Plaintiff additional time in which to appeal. On

September 6, 2005, Plaintiff filed a notice of appeal.

On January 8, 2001, Plaintiff filed a motion for the preparation of a trial transcripts for

appeal at government expense. Plaintiff asks for transcripts of the entire trial. Plaintiff states

that he is indigent and cannot afford to pay for transcripts.

Plaintiff is hereby informed that Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis status in both this court and 

in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals does not automatically entitle Plaintiff to have the court

reporter prepare transcripts at government expense. A litigant who has been granted in forma

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pauperis status may file a motion to have transcripts produced at government expense. See 28

U.S.C. § 753(f); McKinney v. Anderson, 924 F.2d 1500, 1511-12 (9th Cir.1991) (subsequent

history omitted). Two statutes must be considered whenever the district court receives a request

to prepare transcripts at the government’s expense. First, 28 U.S.C. § 1915(c) defines the limited

circumstances under which the court can direct the government to pay for transcripts for a litigant

proceeding in forma pauperis.

(c) Upon the filing of an affidavit in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) and

the prepayment of any partial filing fee as may be required under subsection (b),

the court may direct payment by the United States of the expenses of (1) printing

the record on appeal in any civil or criminal case, if such printing is required by

the appellate court; (2) preparing a transcript of proceedings before a United

States magistrate judge in any civil or criminal case, if such transcript is required

by the district court, in the case of proceedings conducted under section 636(b) of

this title or under section 3401(b) of title 18, United States Code; and (3) printing

the record on appeal if such printing is required by the appellate court, in the case

of proceedings conducted pursuant to section 636(c) of this title. Such expenses

shall be paid when authorized by the Director of the Administrative Office of the

United States Courts.

28 U.S.C. § 1915(c). Second, 28 U.S.C. § 753(f) allows the court to order the government to pay

for transcripts only if “the trial judge or a circuit judge certifies that the suit or appeal is not

frivolous and that the transcript is needed to decide the issue presented by the suit or appeal.” 

28 U.S.C. § 753(f).

Plaintiff’s notice of appeal and motion for transcripts provide insufficient information for

the court to determine whether this case is one in which limited government resources should be

spent on the preparation of transcripts. In his motion, Plaintiff has only described his indigent

status. Plaintiff has not informed the court the issues Plaintiff wishes to raise on appeal. 

Without knowing the issues Plaintiff wishes to raise, the court cannot determine whether they are

not frivolous and the type of transcripts which would be required. See McKinney, 924 F.2d at

1511-12. 

Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s request for the preparation of transcripts at government expense is DENIED

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WITHOUT PREJUDICE; and

2. The Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to serve a copy of this order on the Ninth Circuit

Court of Appeals so that the Ninth Circuit can determine if it desires to order that the

transcripts be prepared at government expense. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 14, 2005 /s/ Anthony W. Ishii 

0m8i78 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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