Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-01264/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-01264-45/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

ANTHONY JOHNSON,

Plaintiff,

v.

L GONZALES and A. MURRIETA,

Defendants.

_____________________________________/

Case No. 1:09-cv-01264-BAM (PC)

ORDER DENYING MOTIONS FOR TRIAL 

TRANSCRIPT AT GOVERNMENT 

EXPENSE

(ECF Nos. 191, 192)

Plaintiff Anthony Johnson, a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, filed 

this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 on July 21, 2009. This action for damages 

proceeded against Defendants Gonzales and Murrieta for violating Plaintiff’s rights under the 

Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Following a two-day trial by jury, judgment 

was entered for Defendants and against Plaintiff on April 29, 2015. On May 6, 2015, Plaintiff 

filed a motion for a copy of the trial transcript for purposes of appeal due to Plaintiff’s in forma 

pauperis status, along with a motion for waiver of the costs of the trial transcript.1 

A litigant who has been granted in forma pauperis status may move to have transcripts 

produced at government expense. 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) 

 

1 On May 7, 2015, Plaintiff also filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict pursuant to Federal Rule of 

Civil Procedure 59. Plaintiff’s motion for judgment is pending. 

Case 1:09-cv-01264-BAM Document 195 Filed 05/11/15 Page 1 of 2
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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 appeal is not frivolous (but presents a 

substantial question).” A request for a transcript at government expense should not be granted 

unless “the appeal presents a substantial issue.” Henderson v. United States, 734 F.2d 483, 484 

(9th Cir. 1984). 

In this instance, Plaintiff has not filed a notice of appeal. Given the absence of an appeal, 

there also is no basis upon which to find that Plaintiff’s appeal presents any substantial question. 

Accordingly, Plaintiff’s motions for the trial transcript at government expense are HEREBY 

DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 8, 2015 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:09-cv-01264-BAM Document 195 Filed 05/11/15 Page 2 of 2