Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-01466/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-01466-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 560
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Civil Detainee - Conditions of Confinement
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ROY RUSS,

Plaintiff,

v.

BRANDON PRICE, et al.

Defendants.

1:24-cv-01466-CDB (PC)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO 

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

(Doc. 5)

Plaintiff Roy Russ is a civil detainee proceeding pro se in a civil rights action pursuant to 

42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Doc. 1). Plaintiff initiated this action with the filing of a complaint on 

December 3, 2024. (Id.). That same day, Plaintiff filed a motion for leave to proceed in forma 

pauperis (“IFP”). (Doc. 2). On December 4, 2024, the Court ordered Plaintiff within 45 days of 

service of the order to submit a signed and completed application to proceed in forma pauperis or, 

in the alternative, pay the $405.00 filing fee for this action. (Doc. 4). Therein, the Court noted that 

while Plaintiff, a civil detainee, may not be subject to the Prison Litigation Reform Act (“PLRA”)

requirement that a prisoner-plaintiff exhaust administrative remedies and provide copies of prisoner 

trust fund account statements in support of any IFP application, he must comply with the 

requirement under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 and Local Rule 121 to submit a financial affidavit in support 

of his request to proceed in forma pauperis. (Id. at 2).

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

on January 6, 2025. (Doc. 5). Therein, Plaintiff attests he is being held at Coalinga State Hospital. 

(Id. at 1). Plaintiff attests he has no gross pay or wages. (Id.). Plaintiff attests he receives other 

Case 1:24-cv-01466-CDB Document 6 Filed 01/08/25 Page 1 of 3
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source of income from family for canteen purchases, hygiene items, and phone calls. (Id.). Plaintiff 

attests he has no money in cash or in a checking or savings account. (Id. at 2). Plaintiff attests he 

owns no personal property or any item of value held in someone else’s name. (Id.). Plaintiff attests 

he has no monthly expenses nor any dependents who rely on his support. (Id.). Plaintiff attests he 

has no debts or financial obligations. (Id.). The application is signed and dated December 30, 

2024. (Id.).

Plaintiff does not appear to have been a “prisoner” as defined by the at the time he filed this 

action. Plaintiff asserts that he is a civil detainee involuntarily committed at Coalinga State Hospital 

under the Welfare and Institutions Code Section 6600. (Doc. 1 at 7). Therefore, neither the filing 

fee provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b), nor § 1915(c)’s “three strikes” bar apply to this case. See 

Andrews v. King, 398 F.3d 1113, 1122 (9th Cir. 2005). Further, examination of Plaintiff’s 

application reveals that he is unable to afford the costs of this action. (Doc. 5). Thus, the Court 

finds Plaintiff has made the showing required by § 1915, and the request to proceed in forma 

pauperis shall be granted.

As to the status of the complaint, Plaintiff is advised that pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2), 

the Court must conduct an initial review of a pro se complaint where the plaintiff proceeds in forma 

pauperis to determine whether it is legally sufficient under the applicable pleading standards. The 

Court must dismiss a complaint, or portion thereof, if the Court determines that the complaint is 

legally frivolous or malicious, fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seeks 

monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). If the 

Court determines that the complaint fails to state a claim, leave to amend may be granted to the 

extent that the deficiencies in the complaint can be cured by amendment.

Plaintiff’s complaint will be screened in due course. If appropriate after the case has been 

screened, the Clerk of the Court will provide Plaintiff with the requisite forms and instructions to 

request the assistance of the United States Marshal in serving Defendants pursuant Rule 4 of the 

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

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Conclusion and Order

Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma 

pauperis (Doc. 5), for good cause appearing, is GRANTED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 8, 2025 ___________________ _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:24-cv-01466-CDB Document 6 Filed 01/08/25 Page 3 of 3