Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_05-cv-01398/USCOURTS-casd-3_05-cv-01398-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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- 1 - 05CV1398 WQH (JMA)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LYNETTE JACKSON,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 05CV1398 WQH (JMA)

ORDER DENYING MOTION TO

vs. PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

MARIO ZERMENO,

Defendant.

HAYES, Judge:

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

on appeal. (Doc. # 98). Plaintiff filed the motion on June 22, 2007.

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 3:05-cv-01398-WQH-JMA Document 101 Filed 08/08/07 Page 1 of 2
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- 2 - 05CV1398 WQH (JMA)

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, Plaintiff states that she is not employed, and has not been

employed since November of 2002. Plaintiff currently receives $2,610.00 per/month in military

service disability benefits, and she owns outright a 2000 Ford Focus automobile. Plaintiff also owns

a $705.00 savings certificate, has two savings accounts with a total balance of $560.00, and is owed

$1,250 by two persons. Plaintiff’s monthly expenses total $2,517.43, and she is paying her attorney

$25.00 per/month to represent her on appeal.

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

Plaintiff can afford to pay the filing costs associated with this appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).

The Court therefore DENIES Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis. (Doc. # 98).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: August 8, 2007

WILLIAM Q. HAYES

United States District Judge

Case 3:05-cv-01398-WQH-JMA Document 101 Filed 08/08/07 Page 2 of 2