Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-01248/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-01248-6/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

HORACE BELL,

Plaintiff,

v.

S. HEBERLING, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:12-cv-01248-AWI-SAB

APPEAL NO.

NOTICE AND ORDER FINDING THAT 

PLAINTIFF IS NOT ENTITLED TO 

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS ON

THE APPEAL FILED SEPTEMBER 3, 2013

(ECF No. 29)

ORDER DIRECTING CLERK’S OFFICE TO 

SERVE COPY OF ORDER ON NINTH 

CIRCUIT

Plaintiff Horace Bell is a prisoner who is proceeding pro se in this civil rights action 

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On July 31, 2013, the Court denied Plaintiff’s motion for a 

temporary restraining order. (ECF Nos. 21, 23.) Plaintiff filed a notice of appeal on September 

3, 2013. (ECF No. 27.) The appeal was processed to the Ninth Circuit on September 3, 2013.1 

(ECF No. 28.) On September 13, 2013, Plaintiff filed a notice re appeal filing fee. (ECF No. 29.) 

Pursuant to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, 

A party who was permitted to proceed in forma pauperis in the 

district-court action . . . may proceed on appeal in forma pauperis 

without further authorization, unless:

 

1 Because the district court had not received a case number for the appeal, the notice of appeal was re-submitted to 

the Ninth Circuit on September 16, 2013. As of this date, the appeal has not been assigned a case number.

Case 1:12-cv-01248-AWI-SAB Document 30 Filed 09/25/13 Page 1 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

(A) the district court - before or after the notice of appeal is filed -

certifies that the appeal is not taken in good faith or finds that the 

party is not otherwise entitled to proceed in forma pauperis and 

states in writing its reasons for the certification or finding;

or

(B) a statute provides otherwise.

Fed. R. App. P. 24(a)(3).

The district clerk must immediately notify the parties and the court 

of appeals when the district court does any of the following:

(A) denies a motion to proceed on appeal in forma pauperis;

(B) certifies that the appeal is not taken in good faith; or

(C) finds that the party is not otherwise entitled to proceed in forma 

pauperis. 

Fed. R. App. P. 24(a)(4).

This action was removed from Kings County Superior Court and Plaintiff is not 

proceeding in forma pauperis. Plaintiff’s notice states that he is indigent and cannot afford the 

filing fee and the District Court is aware of this. However, the Court finds that Plaintiff is not 

entitled to proceed in forma pauperis on his appeal filed September 3, 2013. 

Title 28, United States Code, Section 1915 governs proceedings in forma pauperis. 

Section 1915(g) provides that “[i]n no event shall a prisoner bring a civil action . . . under this 

section if the prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any 

facility, brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the 

grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, 

unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury.” Plaintiff became subject 

to section 1915(g) on October 18, 2011, when his third action was dismissed for failure to state a 

claim upon which relief may be granted and the Ninth Circuit did not permit his appeal to 

proceed.

2

 Because Plaintiff is subject to section 1915(g) and does not meet the imminent danger 

 

2

The Court takes judicial notice of the following cases: 1:10-cv-01762-SKO, Bell v. Lopez, et al. (E.D. Cal.) 

(dismissed August 26, 2011 for failure to state a claim); 2:10-cv-00421-UA-RC, Bell v. Harrington, et al. (C.D. Cal) 

(dismissed February 4, 2010 as frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim); 2:09-cv-08808-UA-RC, Bell v. K. 

Harrington, et al. (C.D. Cal.) (dismissed December 30, 2009 as frivolous/malicious).

Case 1:12-cv-01248-AWI-SAB Document 30 Filed 09/25/13 Page 2 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

3

exception,3Plaintiff is not entitled to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal. Fed. R. App. P. 

24(a)(4)(C).

Based on the foregoing, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), Plaintiff is not entitled to proceed in forma 

pauperis on the appeal filed on September 3, 2013;

2. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 24(a)(4)(C), this order serves as 

notice to the parties and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit of 

the finding that Plaintiff is not entitled to proceed in forma pauperis for this 

appeal; and

3. The Clerk of the Court shall serve a copy of this order on Plaintiff and the United 

States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 25, 2013 _ _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

 

3

Plaintiff’s complaint, filed March 21, 2012 in Kings County Superior Court challenges the caregiver program 

implemented at the prison alleging the caregivers use drugs and do not treat him appropriately, are appointed because 

of their friendship with prison officials and the program is an abject failure. (ECF No. 4.) 

Case 1:12-cv-01248-AWI-SAB Document 30 Filed 09/25/13 Page 3 of 3