Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_02-cv-05018/USCOURTS-caed-1_02-cv-05018-28/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

KAVIN M. RHODES,

Plaintiff,

v.

M. ROBINSON, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

CASE NO. 1:02-cv-05018-LJO DLB PC

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR A

TRANSCRIPT OF TELEPHONIC TRIAL

CONFIRMATION HEARING, MOTION IN

LIMINE HEARING, AND TRIAL AT

GOVERNMENT EXPENSE 

(Doc. 205)

Plaintiff Kavin M. Rhodes (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner who was proceeding pro se and in

forma pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Following jury trial,

judgment was entered in favor of the defendants on May 22, 2008, and Plaintiff filed a notice of

appeal May 29, 2008. On July 14, 2008, Plaintiff filed a motion for production of transcripts at

government expense, requesting transcripts of the telephonic trial confirmation hearing held

February 22, 2008, the motions in limine hearing held May 20, 2008, and the trial proceedings of

May 21, 2008. (Doc. 205). 

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

produced at government expense. See 28 U.S.C. § 753(f); McKinney v. Anderson, 924 F.2d 1500,

1511-12 (9th Cir.1991) (subsequent history omitted). 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) 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

Case 1:02-cv-05018-LJO-DLB Document 206 Filed 07/28/08 Page 1 of 2
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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 suit or appeal is not frivolous and that the

transcript is needed to decide the issue presented by the suit or appeal.” 28 U.S.C. § 753(f). A

request for a transcript at government expense should not be granted unless the appeal presents a

substantial question. Henderson v. United States, 734 F.2d 483, 484 (9th Cir. 1984). Based on

Plaintiff’s motion materials, the Court finds that the appeal does not present a substantial question

and the request for transcripts at government expense is denied. Plaintiff may renew his request for

transcripts at government expense with the appellate court by filing a motion there if he wishes.

In addition, Plaintiff is notified that the appellate court has access to the court’s file in this

case, and will request any necessary documents that are in the record directly from this court. 

Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff’s motion for transcripts of the telephonic trial confirmation

hearing, the motions in limine hearing, and trial proceedings, at government expense, are HEREBY

DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 28, 2008 /s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill 

b9ed48 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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