Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01595/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01595-6/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

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOSE MIGUEL RIOS,

Plaintiff,

v.

ORTIZ,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:23-cv-01595-HBK (PC)

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S 

RENEWED MOTION TO PROCEED IN 

FORMA PAUPERIS AND REASSESSING 

FULL FILING FEE

(Doc. No. 29)

Pending before the Court is Plaintiff’s renewed motion to proceed in forma pauperis

(“IFP”) filed on December 19, 2024. (Doc. No. 29). Plaintiff, a former state prisoner, initiated 

this action while he was incarcerated. (Doc. No. 1). Although currently released, Plaintiff 

remains obligated to pay the full amount of the statutory filing fee. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). As 

set forth in the Court’s December 9, 2024 Order, the total amount that remains due towards the 

$350.00 filing fee is $350.00. (Doc. No. 27 at 3). Due to Plaintiff’s release from custody, there is 

no inmate trust account from which periodic filing fees may be garnished and forwarded to the 

Court. Although the Ninth Circuit has yet to decide how a released prisoner who is obligated to 

“pay the full amount of a filing fee” under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1) may proceed IFP after he is 

released, “the Ninth Circuit [did note] ‘even prior to the PLRA...district courts possessed 

authority under the non-PLRA-related provisions of § 1915 to require partial and/or installment 

payments.’” Makoni v. Downs, 2016 WL 7210403, at *3 (S.D. Cal. Dec. 13, 2016) (quoting 

Case 1:23-cv-01595-HBK Document 30 Filed 01/17/25 Page 1 of 2
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Putzer v. Attal, 2013 WL 4519351, at *2 (D. Nev. Aug. 23, 2013)) (citing Olivares v. Marshall, 

59 F.3d 109, 111 (9th Cir. 1995)). 

Plaintiff’s renewed motion to proceed IFP makes the showing required to proceed IFP, but 

consistent with the Prison Litigation Reform Act, Plaintiff remains obligated to pay the full 

$350.00 statutory filing fee as set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Given Plaintiff’s current financial 

situation, the Court will not assess a monthly installment payment at this time. However, Plaintiff 

remains responsible for the full $350.00 filing fee and is required to notify the Court as soon as 

his financial situation changes. 

Accordingly, it is ORDERED: 

1. Plaintiff’s renewed motion to proceed in forma pauperis, (Doc. No. 29) is GRANTED 

and the Court assesses the full $350.00 filing fee due to Plaintiff’s former prisoner 

status.

2. Plaintiff shall notify the Court within thirty (30) days of any change in his current 

financial situation, i.e. if Plaintiff secures employment or is deemed eligible to receive 

any form of federal or state financial assistance. 

3. Plaintiff’s failure to timely notify the Court of a change in his financial circumstances 

may result in the Court dismissing this action as a sanction for failing to comply with a 

Court order. See Local Rule 110.

Dated: January 17, 2025 

HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:23-cv-01595-HBK Document 30 Filed 01/17/25 Page 2 of 2