Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_05-cv-03369/USCOURTS-azd-2_05-cv-03369-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
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

Many inmates apparently believe that they will receive an immediate payout from a fund

established in Hart v. Hill, No. CV 77-0479-PHX-EHC (MS) (D. Ariz.). No such fund exists. The

JDDL

KM

WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

David Sorey, 

Plaintiff, 

vs.

Joseph Arpaio,

Defendant. 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

No. CIV 05-3369-PHX-DGC (VAM)

ORDER

On October 24, 2005, Plaintiff David Sorey, presently confined in the Maricopa

County Durango Jail, filed a Civil Rights Comp laint by a Prisoner ("Complaint") pursuant

to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and an uncertified Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis

("Application to Proceed"). Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed is insufficient to support the

request to proceed in forma pauperis because the Application is not signed by an

authorized officer of the institution in which Plaintiff is confined and because Plaintiff did

not file a certified trust fund account statement with his Application to Proceed. 

This is one of more than one thousand (1,000) civil rights actions filed since

September 2004 by Maricopa County Jail inmates.1

Case 2:05-cv-03369-DGC--VAM Document 3 Filed 11/17/05 Page 1 of 8
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

inmates in Hart asked for injunctive relief and not monetary damages. The Court at this time

expresses no opinion on whether Plaintiff’s lawsuit may result in an award of damages. 

JDDL - 2 -

Payment of Filing Fee

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1), Plaintiff must p ay the two hundred fifty dollar

($250.00) filing fee when he files a civil act ion. Nevertheless, Plaintiff may file a civil action

even if he has no assets to immediately pay the filing fee. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(4). If Plaintiff

current ly has no assets, the filing fee will be collected from him when funds exist. 28 U.S.C.

§ 1915(b).

Accordingly, Plaintiff must now pay the two hundred fifty dollar ($250.00) filing fee

or, if unable to pay the fee immediately, must submit to the Court a new, certified

Application t o Proceed, using the form included with this Order. Plaintiff’s Application to

Proceed must have an original signature by Plaintiff, and must include a certified copy of

his trust fund account statement (or institutional equivalent) for the six (6) months

immediately preceding t he filing of the Complaint, and if he was held at more than one

institution during the six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of the Complaint, he

must file a certified trust fund account st at ement (s) (or institutional equivalent) for each

institution where he was confined. Both Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed and t rust fund

account statement must have an original signature of an authorized officer of the

institution.

Application Fails to Comply With Statute

Although Plaintiff filed an Application to Proceed with his Complaint, Plaintiff’s

Application to Proceed is deficient because: 1) the Application is not signed by an

authorized officer of the institution in which Plaintiff is confined and 2) Plaintiff did not

include a copy of his trust fund account statement (or institutional equivalent) for the six

Case 2:05-cv-03369-DGC--VAM Document 3 Filed 11/17/05 Page 2 of 8
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

JDDL - 3 -

(6) months immediat ely p receding the filing of the Complaint which is certified by an

authorized officer of the institution as required.

Accordingly, Plaintiff's Application to Proceed will be denied without p rejudice and

Plaintiff will be given thirty (30) days to submit a new Application to Proceed, using t he

form included wit h t his Order, and a certified copy of his trust fund account statement(s)

for the six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of the Complaint.

If Plaintiff submits a new, certified Application to Proceed and a cert ified copy of his

trust fund account statement(s) for the six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of

the Complaint, instead of immediately paying the two hundred fifty dollar ($250.00) filing

fee, the Court will assess and, when funds exist, collect an initial partial filing fee of twenty

percent (20%) of the greater amount of either the average monthly deposit s or t he average

monthly balance in Plaintiff’s account for the six (6) months immediately preceding the

filing of the Complaint. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). After payment of the initial partial filing fee,

Plaintiff will be required to make monthly payments equaling t went y percent (20%) of the

preceding month’s income credited to his account. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2). 

The agency having custody of Plaintiff will be required to forward p ayments from

his account to the Clerk of the Court each time the amount in t he account exceeds ten

dollars ($10.00) until the filing fee is paid. Id.

Statutory Limitations on Prisoner Complaints

Plaintiff should note that even aft er he pays the filing fee, the Court will dismiss the

case at any time if the Court det ermines t he allegation of poverty is untrue, the action is

frivolous or malicious, the complaint fails t o state a claim upon which relief may be granted,

or monetary relief is sought against a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C.

§ 1915(e)(2). The Court also will dismiss the complaint if Plaintiff fails to exhaust any

administrative remedy available to him. 42 U.S.C. 1997e(a). 

Plaintiff also should note that a prisoner may not bring a civil action without

complete prepayment of the appropriate filing fee if the prisoner has brought on three or

Case 2:05-cv-03369-DGC--VAM Document 3 Filed 11/17/05 Page 3 of 8
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

JDDL - 4 -

more occasions an action or appeal in a federal court that was dismissed as frivolous, as

malicious, or for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the

prisoner is in imminent danger of serious physical injury. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g).

Notice of Possible Dismissal Pursuant to Rule 41

Plaintiff is cautioned that if he fails to timely comply with every provision of this

Order, or any order entered in this matter, this action will be dismissed pursuant to Rule

41(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. See Ferdik v. Bonz elet, 963 F.2d 1258 (9th

Cir.) (district court may dismiss action for failure to comply with any order of t he court),

cert. denied, 506 U.S. 915 (1992).

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED as follows: 

(1) Plaint iff’s "Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis By A Prisoner Civil (NonHabeas)" ("Application to Proceed") filed with the Complaint is DENIED WITHOUT

PREJUDICE;

(2) Plaintiff SHALL HAVE thirty (30) days from the filing date of this Order to p ay

the two hundred fifty dollar ($250.00) filing fee, or in the alternative, to file with the Court

a new, certified Application to Proceed, using the form included with this Order. Plaintiff’s

Application to Proceed shall have an original signature by Plaintiff, and shall include a

copy of his trust fund account statement (or institutional equivalent) for the six (6) months

immediately preceding the filing of the Complaint which is certified by an authorized officer

of the M aricopa County Sheriff's Office. Both Plaintiff’s Application to Proceed and trust

fund account statement shall have an original signature of an aut horized officer of the

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. If Plaintiff was held at more than one institution during

the six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of the Complaint, he shall file a certified

trust fund account statement(s) (or institutional equivalent) for each institution where he

was confined. The trust fund account statement(s) must show deposits and average

balances for each month;

(3) The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to enter a judgment of dismissal without

Case 2:05-cv-03369-DGC--VAM Document 3 Filed 11/17/05 Page 4 of 8
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

JDDL - 5 -

p rejudice of this action, without further notice to Plaintiff, if Plaintiff fails to pay the t wo

hundred fifty dollar ($250.00) filing fee, or in the alternative, if he fails to file a certified

Application to Proceed and a copy of his trust fund account st at ement(s) (or institutional

equivalent) for the six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of the Comp laint , which

is certified by an authorized officer of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, within thirty

(30) days of the filing date of this Order;

(4) A clear, legible copy of every pleading or other document filed SHALL

ACCOMPANY each original p leading or other document filed with the Clerk for use by the

District Judge or Magistrate Judge to whom the case is assigned. See Rule 5.4, Local Rules

of Civil Procedure ("LRCiv"). Failure to comply with thi s requirement will result in the

pleading or document being stricken without further notice to Plaintiff;

(5) At all times during the pendency of this action, Plaintiff SHALL IMMEDIATELY

ADVISE the Court and the United States Marshal of any change of address and its

effective date. Such notice shall be captioned "NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS."

The notice shall contain only information pertaining to the change of address and its

effective date, except that if Plaintiff has been released from custody, the notice should so

indicate. The notice shall not include any motions for any other relief. Failure to file a

NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS may result in the dismissal of the action for failure to

prosecute pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b);

(6) The Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to provide Plaintiff with a current

Court-approved form for filing an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis.

DATED this 16th day of November, 2005.

Case 2:05-cv-03369-DGC--VAM Document 3 Filed 11/17/05 Page 5 of 8
Revised 2/7/05

Instructions for Prisoners Applying for Leave to Proceed in Forma Pauperis

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 in a Civil Action (Non-habeas) in Federal Court

You must pay the full filing fee of $250.00 for a civil action. If you later file an appeal,

you will be obligated to pay the $255.00 filing fee for the appeal.

If you have enough money to pay the full filing fee, you should send a cashier’s check or

money order payable to the Clerk of the Court with your complaint, petition, or notice of

appeal.

If you do not have enough money to pay the full filing fee, you can file the action without

prepaying the filing fee. However, the court will assess an initial partial filing fee. The initial

partial filing fee will be the greater of 20% of the average monthly deposits or 20% of the

average monthly balance in your prison or jail account for the six months immediately preceding

the filing of the lawsuit. The court will order the agency that has custody of you to withdraw

the initial partial filing fee from your prison or jail account as soon as funds are available and

to forward the money to the court.

After the initial partial filing fee has been paid, you will owe the balance of the filing fee.

Until the filing fee is paid in full, each month you will owe 20% of your preceding month's

income. The agency that holds you in custody will collect that money and forward it to the court

any time the amount in your account exceeds $10.00. The balance of the filing fee may be

collected even if the action is later dismissed, summary judgment is granted against you, or you

fail to prevail at trial.

To file an action without prepaying the filing fee, and to proceed with an action in forma

pauperis, you must complete the attached form and return it to the court with your complaint.

You must have a prison or jail official complete the certificate on the bottom of the form and

attach a certified copy of your prison or jail account statement for the last six months. If you

were incarcerated in a different institution during any part of the past six months, you must

attach a certificate and a certified copy of your account statement from each institution at which

you were confined. If you submit an incomplete form or do not submit a prison or jail account

statement with the form, your request to proceed in forma pauperis will be denied.

Even if some or all of the filing fee has been paid, the court is required to dismiss your

action if: (1) your allegation of poverty is untrue; (2) the action is frivolous or malicious; (3)

your complaint does not state a claim upon which relief can be granted; or (4) your complaint

makes a claim against a defendant for money damages and that defendant is immune from

liability for money damages.

If you file more than three actions or appeals which are dismissed as frivolous or

malicious or for failure to state a claim on which relief can be granted, you will be prohibited

from filing any other action in forma pauperis unless you are in imminent danger of serious

physical injury.

Case 2:05-cv-03369-DGC--VAM Document 3 Filed 11/17/05 Page 6 of 8
Revised 2/7/05 1

Name and Prisoner/Booking Number

Place of Confinement

Mailing Address

City, State, Zip Code

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

)

 , ) CASE NO. 

Plaintiff, )

)

 vs. ) APPLICATION TO PROCEED

) IN FORMA PAUPERIS 

 , ) BY A PRISONER

Defendant(s). ) CIVIL (NON-HABEAS)

)

I, , declare, in support of my request to proceed in the above

entitled case without prepayment of fees under 28 U.S.C. § 1915, that I am unable to pay the fees for these

proceedings or to give security therefor and that I believe I am entitled to relief.

In support of this application, I answer the following questions under penalty of perjury:

1. Have you ever before brought an action or appeal in a federal court while you were incarcerated or

detained? GYes GNo If "Yes," how many have you filed? .

Were any of the actions or appeals dismissed because they were frivolous, malicious, or failed to state a

claim upon which relief may be granted? GYes GNo If "Yes," how many of them? .

2. Are you currently employed at the institution where you are confined? GYes GNo

If "Yes," state the amount of your pay and where you work. 

3. Do you receive any other payments from the institution where you are confined? GYes GNo

If "Yes," state the source and amount of the payments. 

4. Do you have any other sources of income, savings, or assets either inside or outside of the institution where

Case 2:05-cv-03369-DGC--VAM Document 3 Filed 11/17/05 Page 7 of 8
Revised 2/7/05 2

you are confined? GYes GNo

If "Yes," state the sources and amounts of the income, savings, or assets. 

I declare under penalty of perjury that the above information is true and correct.

DATE SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT

CONSENT TO COLLECTION OF FEES FROM TRUST ACCOUNT

I, , hereby consent to having the designated correctional officials at this

institution release to the Court my trust account information. I further consent to having the designated

correctional officials at this institution withdraw from my trust account the funds required to comply with the

order of this Court for the payment of filing fees in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b).

My consent includes withdrawal from my account by correctional officials of partial initial payments to this

Court equal to 20% of the greater of:

(A) the average monthly deposits to my account for the six-month period preceding my filing of this

action, or

(B) the average monthly balance in my account for the six-month period preceding my filing of this

action.

My consent also includes monthly withdrawals from my account by correctional officials of an amount equal

to 20% of each month’s income. Whenever the amount in my account reaches $10, correctional officials will

withdraw that amount and forward it to the Court until the required filing fee is paid in full. I understand that

I am liable for paying the entire fee, even if my case is dismissed by the Court before the fee is fully paid.

DATE SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICIAL

AS TO STATUS OF APPLICANT’S TRUST ACCOUNT

I, , certify that as of the date applicant signed this application:

(Printed name of official)

The applicant’s trust account balance at this institution is: $

The applicant’s average monthly deposits during the prior six months is: $

The applicant’s average monthly balance during the prior six months is: $

The attached certified account statement accurately reflects the status of the applicant’s account.

DATE AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE TITLE/ID NUMBER INSTITUTION 

Case 2:05-cv-03369-DGC--VAM Document 3 Filed 11/17/05 Page 8 of 8