Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-01118/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-01118-2/pdf.json

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

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOSE RODRIGUEZ,

Plaintiff,

v.

DIAZ, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 1:19-cv-01118-AWI-JDP

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION 

FOR THE CANCELLATION OF THE 

FILING FEE AND THE ORDER 

DIRECTING PAYMENT

ECF No. 13

Plaintiff Jose Rodriguez is a state prisoner proceeding without counsel in this now-closed 

civil rights action. On February 3, 2020, plaintiff filed a notice of voluntary dismissal under 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1)(A). ECF No. 10. The case was closed on February 10. 

ECF No. 12. However, plaintiff has now filed a motion requesting that we cancel the filing fee 

and the order directing payment. ECF No. 13. 

The relevant statutory requirement is clear: “if a prisoner brings a civil action or files an 

appeal in forma pauperis, the prisoner shall be required to pay the full amount of a filing fee.” 28 

U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). The requirement is triggered by bringing an action, not by continuing one. 

See Malone v. Miller-Stout, No. C08-5375BHS, 2008 WL 4154561, at *1 (W.D. Wash. Sept. 2, 

2008) (“The court is not aware of any authority for the proposition that the fee is not collected on 

cases where the plaintiff voluntarily dismisses the action prior to service.”). Because we have no 

authority to override a statutory command, plaintiff’s motion is denied. 

Case 1:19-cv-01118-AWI-JDP Document 14 Filed 03/24/20 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 24, 2020 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

No. 205

Case 1:19-cv-01118-AWI-JDP Document 14 Filed 03/24/20 Page 2 of 2