Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-02593/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-02593-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 360
Nature of Suit: Other Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1331pi Fed. Question: Personal Injury

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18-CV-2593 JLS (KSC)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

WINNIE DIGGS,

Plaintiff,

v.

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR 

VEHIC[LE] D[I]RECTOR JEAN 

SHIOMOTO; LEGAL DIVISION OF 

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR 

VEHIC[LE],

Defendants.

Case No.: 18-CV-2593 JLS (KSC)

ORDER (1) DENYING WITHOUT 

PREJUDICE PLAINTIFF’S MOTION 

TO PROCEED IN FORMA 

PAUPERIS, AND (2) DISMISSING 

WITHOUT PREJUDICE 

COMPLAINT FOR FAILING TO 

PAY FILING FEE

(ECF No. 2)

Presently before the Court is Winnie Diggs’ Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis

(“IFP”) (“Mot.,” ECF No. 2.) Plaintiff, proceeding pro se, has filed a complaint alleging 

violation of several of her constitutional rights by the California Department of Motor 

Vehicles. See Compl., ECF No. 1 at 4.

All parties instituting any civil action, suit, or proceeding in a district court of the 

United States, except an application for a writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing fee of 

$350.1

 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). An action may still proceed without the prepayment of fees 

 

1 In addition to the $350 statutory fee, all parties filing civil actions on or after May 1, 2013, must pay an 

additional administrative fee of $50. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a) (Judicial Conference Schedule of Fees, 

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18-CV-2593 JLS (KSC)

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if a party is granted leave to proceed IFP pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). See Rodriguez 

v. Cook, 169 F.3d 1176, 1177 (9th Cir. 1999). A federal court may authorize the 

commencement of an action if the party submits an affidavit, including a statement of 

assets, showing that he is unable to pay the required filing fee. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).

Here, Ms. Diggs indicates that she receives $900 per month in disability, Mot. at 2, 

has approximately $4,000 in a BBVA Compass checking account for back pay from 

disability, id., owns a 2007 Chrysler Town & Country worth approximately $600, id. at 3, 

and has monthly obligations totaling approximately $550.

2

 See id. at 4–5. Because it 

appears that Plaintiff has $4,000 in her checking account and that her monthly income 

exceeds her monthly expenses by $350, the Court DENIES WITHOUT PREJUDICE

Plaintiff’s Motion.

CONCLUSION

Good cause appearing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s Motion pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a) (ECF No. 2) is DENIED 

WITHOUT PREJUDICE;

2. Plaintiff’s Complaint is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE for failure 

to prepay the filing fee mandated by 28 U.S.C. §1914(a); and

3. Plaintiff is GRANTED an additional thirty (30) days from the date this Order 

to either (1) pay the entire $400 statutory and administrative filing fee, or (2) file a new 

IFP Motion alleging that she is unable to pay the requisite fees.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 15, 2018

 

District Court Misc. Fee Schedule) (eff. Sept. 1, 2018). The additional $50 administrative fee, however, 

is waived if the plaintiff is granted leave to proceed IFP. Id.

2 Plaintiff also indicates that she “hope[s] to start working” again within the next twelve months. Id. at 5. 

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