Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00240/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00240-4/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

EUGENE CARLTON BROWN,

Plaintiff,

v.

WINN-REED, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:19-cv-00240-LJO-BAM (PC)

Appeal No. 20-15376

ORDER REGARDING IN FORMA PAUPERIS

STATUS ON APPEAL

Plaintiff Eugene Carlton Brown, (“Plaintiff”), a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in 

forma pauperis, filed this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On January 24, 2020, 

the Court dismissed this action for failure to state a claim. (ECF Nos. 15, 16.) On March 4, 

2020, Plaintiff filed a notice of appeal. (ECF No. 17.)

On April 6, 2020, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals referred the matter back to this 

Court for the limited purpose of determining whether in forma pauperis status should continue for 

the appeal. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3). 

The Court finds that this appeal is not taken in bad faith and is not frivolous. Although the 

notice of appeal was docketed on March 4, 2020, beyond the thirty days provided by Federal Rule 

of Appellate Procedure 4(a)(1)(A), the notice of appeal is signed and dated February 10, 2020. 

(ECF No. 17.) There is no proof of service. Pursuant to the prison mailbox rule, and without the 

benefit of other information, the Court will treat Plaintiff’s notice of appeal as filed as of February 

Case 1:19-cv-00240-LJO-BAM Document 21 Filed 04/07/20 Page 1 of 2
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10, 2020, the date it appears it was delivered to the prison authorities for mailing to the Court. 

See Houston v. Lack, 487 U.S. 266, 270 (1988); Douglas v. Noelle, 567 F.3d 1103, 1108–09 (9th 

Cir. 2009) (mailbox rule articulated in Houston applies to civil rights actions). Therefore, the 

appeal appears to be timely filed. 

Accordingly, in forma pauperis status should not be revoked and should continue on 

appeal.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 7, 2020 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:19-cv-00240-LJO-BAM Document 21 Filed 04/07/20 Page 2 of 2