Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_15-cv-02877/USCOURTS-casd-3_15-cv-02877-2/pdf.json

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

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ROBERT LEE GIVENS,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 15cv2877-GPC(PCL)

ORDER RE NOTICE OF

REFERRAL

v.

A. MILLER, et al.,

Defendant.

On March 3, 2017, the Court granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss and denied

Plaintiff’s motion for leave to file a first amended complaint. (Dkt. No. 29.) On March

29, 2017, Plaintiff filed a notice of appeal. (Dkt. No. 31.) On April 6, 2017, the United

States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit referred the issue of whether in forma

pauperis status should continue for the appeal or whether the appeal is frivolous or

taken in bad faith. (Dkt. No. 34.) 

“An appeal may not be taken in forma pauperis if the trial court certifies in

writing that it is not taken in good faith.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3). Federal Rule of

Appellate Procedure 24(a)(3) provides that

a party who was permitted to proceed in forma pauperis in the districtcourt action, or who was determined to be financially unable to obtain an

adequate defense in a criminal case, may proceed on appeal in forma

pauperis without further authorization, unless: (A) the district court--

before or after the notice of appeal is filed--certifies that the appeal is not

taken in good faith or finds that the party is not otherwise entitled to

proceed in forma pauperis and states in writing its reasons for the

certification or finding; or (B) a statute provides otherwise. 

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Fed. R. App. P. 24(a)(3). A good faith inquiry does not require a preliminary showing

of any particular degree of merit. Ellis v. U.S., 356 U.S. 674, 674 (1958). In the

absence of an improper motive, good faith is established by the presentation of any

issue which is not plainly frivolous. Id. An appeal is frivolous if it lacks any arguable

basis in law or fact. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989). 

TheCourt granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss with prejudice concluding that

Plaintiff’s due process and Eighth Amendment claims are barred by Heck v. Humphrey,

512 U.S. 477 (1994). The Court concludes that the appeal is taken in good faith and

declines to revoke Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis status on appeal. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: April 7, 2017

HON. GONZALO P. CURIEL

United States District Judge

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