Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_07-cv-04191/USCOURTS-cand-5_07-cv-04191-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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28 1 Plaintiff also appears to include an offer to settle for $1 million if payment is made to

him within 30 days.

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS—C-07-04191 RMW

MAG

E-Filed on: 8/28/07

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

PAUL A. HARPER,

Plaintiff,

v.

PATRICIA V. TRUMBULL,

Defendant.

No. C-07-04191 RMW

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF'S

APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN FORMA

PAUPERIS

[Re Docket No. 2]

On August 15, 2007, plaintiff initiated this action against the Honorable Patricia Trumbull,

Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court, Northern District of California, seeking

approximately $1.5 million in damages.1

 Plaintiff simultaneously filed an application to proceed in

forma pauperis. 

In forma pauperis status requires two findings: a finding of indigence and a finding that the

underlying claim has some merit. See Bradshaw v. Zoological Society of San Diego, 662 F.2d 1301 (9th

Cir. 1981). Plaintiff satisfies the first requirement because of his low stated income. However, the court

finds that because plaintiff seeks to sue a magistrate judge for actions taken in the course of her official

duties, his complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Plaintiff asserts that Judge

Case 5:07-cv-04191-RMW Document 5 Filed 08/28/07 Page 1 of 3
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ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS—C-07-04191 RMW

MAG 2

Trumbull has "prejudiced plaintiff's rights under 42 U.S.C. sec. 1983" "as is witnessed in cases (1)

Harper v. Wieking, No. C-06-6320-RMW, case Harper v. Catterson, No. C-06-02587-SI, case Harper

v. Wieking, No. C-04-04314-RMW." Specifically, plaintiff appears to claim that Judge Trumbull

caused injury to him by her orders issued on January 31, 2007 and March 15, 2007 and that such orders

misled plaintiff. From a review of the dockets of the three cases referenced in plaintiff's complaint, it

appears that Judge Trumbull was involved only in Case No. C-06-6320 wherein she issued discoveryrelated orders on January 31, 2007 and March 10, 2007. Case No. C-06-6320 was dismissed by the

undersigned. 

Contrary to plaintiff's argument, a federal judge is absolutely immune from civil liability for acts

performed in her judicial capacity. See Moore v. Brewster, 96 F.3d 1240, 1243 (9th Cir. 1996). "A

judge will not be deprived of immunity because the action he [or she] took was in error, was done

maliciously, or was in excess of his [or her] authority." Stump v. Sparkman, 435 U.S. 349, 356-57

(1978). A judge "will be subject to liability only when [s]he has acted in the 'clear absence of all

jurisdiction.'" Id. At most, Judge Trumbull could have issued erroneous discovery orders (which does

not appear to be the case) to which immunity continues to apply. On that ground, the court denies

plaintiff's application to proceed in forma pauperis.

Because the court finds that plaintiff's claim does not have the requisite merit to permit the

plaintiff to proceed in forma pauperis, the action will be dismissed unless the required filing fee is paid

by October 1, 2007.

DATED: 8/28/07

RONALD M. WHYTE

United States District Judge

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ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS—C-07-04191 RMW

MAG 3

Notice of this document has been sent to:

Plaintiff:

Paul A. Harper 

P.O. Box 32621

Long Beach, CA 90832 

PRO SE

Dated: 8/28/07 /s/ MAG

Chambers of Judge Whyte

Case 5:07-cv-04191-RMW Document 5 Filed 08/28/07 Page 3 of 3