Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_07-cv-01060/USCOURTS-casd-3_07-cv-01060-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 446
Nature of Suit: Americans with Disabilities Act - Other
Cause of Action: 28:1441 Petition for Removal

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- 1 - 07CV1060 WQH (POR)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

POWAY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 07CV1060 WQH (POR)

ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT’S

MOTION TO PROCEED IN FORMA

PAUPERIS ON APPEAL

vs.

LINDSEY STEWART,

Defendant.

HAYES, Judge:

Pending before the Court is Defendant’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal. (Doc.

# 21).

DISCUSSION & ORDER

All parties appealing a civil action, suit, or proceeding, must pay a filing fee to the district

court. See 28 U.S.C. § 1917(a); FED. R. APP. P. 3. An action may proceed despite a party’s failure

to pay only if the party is granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).

See Rodriguez v. Cook, 169 F.3d 1176, 1177 (9th Cir. 1999); Smith v. Johnson, 109 F.2d 152, 154 (9th

Cir. 1940). “An appeal may not be taken in forma pauperis if the trial court certifies in writing that

it is not taken in good faith.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3).

“To proceed in forma pauperis is a privilege not a right.” Smart v. Heinze, 347 F.2d 114, 116

(9th Cir. 1965). “It is the duty of the District Court to examine any application for leave to proceed

in forma pauperis to determine whether the proposed proceeding has merit and if it appears that the

Case 3:07-cv-01060-WQH-POR Document 22 Filed 11/14/07 Page 1 of 2
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proceeding is without merit, the court is bound to deny a motion seeking leave to proceed in forma

pauperis. Id; see also Jefferson v. United States, 277 F.2d 723, 724-725 (9th Cir. 1960).

In her accompanying affidavit, Defendant states that she is not employed, and has not been

employed since June of 2005. Defendant currently receives $440.00 every two weeks in worker’s

compensation benefits, and she owns outright a 2002 Buick LeSabre. Defendant has $11.00 in a

savings account, however, Defendant indicates that she owns no other assets. Defendant indicates that

she has two dependents, but does indicate how much money she contributes to support them. Finally,

Defendant indicates that she does not have any debts or other financial obligations.

After considering Defendant’s motion and the accompanying affidavit, the Court determines

that Defendant can afford to pay the filing costs associated with this appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §

1915(a). The Court therefore DENIES Defendant’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis. (Doc. #

21).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: November 14, 2007

WILLIAM Q. HAYES

United States District Judge

Case 3:07-cv-01060-WQH-POR Document 22 Filed 11/14/07 Page 2 of 2