Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-00642/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-00642-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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FILED 

[MA<- 81011 1 

CLERK, U ••• DISTRICT COURT 

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

BY DEPUTY 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

MICHAEL L. STEWART; and DOES 1-143, 

Plaintiffs, 

vs. 

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL; and STUDIO 

15, 

Defendants. 

CASE NO. 12-cv-642 - BEN (KSC) 

ORDER: 

(1) GRANTING RENEWED REQUEST 

TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS, 

[Doc. No.2]; and 

(2) DIRECTING U.S. MARSHAL 

SERVICE PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(d) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(c)(3). 

Plaintiff Michael L. Stewart, proceeding pro se, has filed a purported class action complaint 

alleging a violation of civil rights as a result ofDefendants' alleged policy prohibiting him and other 

persons with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities, some of whom are also "low income" or 

homeless, from assembling on a public sidewalk. [Doc. No.1.] Plaintiff has not paid the $350 civil 

filing fee required to commence this action, but has filed a motion to proceed in forma pauperis. On 

AprilS, 2012, the Court denied Plaintiffs motion to proceed in forma pauperis and dismissed the 

complaint. [Doc. No. 17.] The Court noted that ifPlaintiff believes that he is entitled to a partial fee 

waiver pursuant to Civil Local Rule 3 .2( d), Plaintiff must submit a declaration requesting the same 

and detailing Plaintiffs current and past income and obligations. On April 12, 2012, Plaintiff 

submitted the present request for a full fee waiver. Upon further consideration, the Court GRANTS 

Plaintiffs renewed request to proceed informa pauperis and ORDERS that this case be re-opened. 

The Court also finds that Plaintiff is entitled to U.S. Marshal service on his behalf. 

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DISCUSSION 

I. Motion to proceed in forma pauperis 

Parties instituting any civil action in a district court ofthe United States, except an application 

for a writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing fee of$350. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). An action may 

proceed despite a plaintiffs failure to prepay the entire fee only if the plaintiff 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). Having reviewed Plaintiffs request for a:full waiver offees and his declaration 

in support thereof, the Court finds them sufficient to show that Plaintiff is unable to pay the fees or 

post securities required to maintain this action. Accordingly, the Court GRANTS Plaintiffs request 

to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 19l5(a). 

II. Sua sponte screening 

Pursuantto 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B), notwithstanding any filing fee, the Court must dismiss 

any complaint if at any time the Court determines that it is "frivolous or malicious," "fails to state a 

claim on which relief may be granted," or "seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune 

from such relief." The sua sponte screening is mandatory. See Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1127 

(9th Cir. 2000) (en bane); see also Calhoun v. Stahl, 254 F.3d 845, 845 (9th Cir. 2001) (per curiam). 

Having reviewed Plaintiffs Complaint in this case, the Court finds that as currently pleaded, 

the Complaint survives the sua sponte screening of28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). Plaintiff is cautioned, 

however, that "the sua sponte screening and dismissal procedure is cumulative of, not a substitute for, 

any subsequent Rule 12(b)( 6) motion that the defendant may choose to bring." See Teahan v. Wilhelm, 

481 F. Supp. 2d 1115,1119 (S.D. Cal. 2007). 

III. U.S. Marshal service 

Because Plaintiff is entitled to proceed informa pauperis, he is entitled to U.S. Marshal 

service on his behalf. See 28 U.S.C. § 19l5(d) ("The officers ofthe court shall issue and serve 

all process, and perform all duties in [in forma pauperis] cases."); FED. R. ClV. P. 4(c)(3) 

("[T]he court may order that service be made by a United States marshal or deputy marshal ... 

if the plaintiff is authorized to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 ...."). 

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I CONCLUSION 

2 Plaintiff's renewed motion to proceed informa pauperis is GRANTED. It is ORDERED that 

3 the Clerk ofCourt shall re-open this case. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that: 

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1. 

2. 

3. 

The Clerk shall issue a summons as to Plaintiff's Complaint, [Doc. No.1], and shall 

forward it to Plaintiff along with a blank U.S. Marshal Form 285. In addition, the 

Clerk shall provide Plaintiff with a certified copy ofthis Order and a certified copy of 

his Complaint and the summons for purposes of serving Defendants. Plaintiff is 

directed to complete the Form 285 completely and accurately and return it to the U.S. 

Marshal according to the instructions provided by the Clerk with the form. Thereafter, 

the U.S. Marshal shall serve a copy ofthe Complaint and summons upon Defendants 

as directed by Plaintiff on the Form 285. All costs ofservice shall be advanced by the 

United States. 

Defendants are thereafter ORDERED to respond to Plaintiff's Complaint within the 

applicable time under Federal Rule ofCivil Procedure I2(a). 

Plaintiff shall serve upon Defendants or, if appearance has been entered by counsel, 

16 upon Defendants' counsel, a copy of every further pleading or other document 

17 submitted for consideration ofthe Court. Plaintiff shall include with the original paper 

18 to be filed with the Clerk ofthe Court a signed certificate stating the manner in which 

19 a true and correct copy of any document was served on Defendants, or counsel for 

Defendants, and the date of service. Any paper received by the Court which has not 

21 been filed with the Clerk or which fails to include a signed Certificate ofService will 

22 be disregarded. 

23 IT IS SO ORDERED. 

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Date: May -b012 

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