Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_11-cv-01890/USCOURTS-azd-2_11-cv-01890-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
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

WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Riki Rashaad Muhammad, 

Plaintiff, 

vs.

Arizona Department of Corrections, et al.,

Defendants. 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

No. CV-11-1890-PHX-SMM (LOA)

ORDER

This matter arises on Plaintiff’s Motion to Produce Copies. (Doc. 24) (ex parte).

Plaintiff states that he was granted in forma pauperis, but that the Arizona Department of

Corrections did not allow him “indigent” status, and therefore, he must pay for all copies and

postage. He requests that all “necessary” copies be produced.

First, Plaintiff’s request does not contain a certificate of service. Pursuant to

Fed.R.Civ.P. 5(a), every pleading, motion, and similar paper must be served upon each party.

In view of Plaintiff’s failure to serve the pending motion on defendants, the Court will deny

that motion.

Second, Plaintiff does not specify which documents he wishes to receive. He only

requests all “necessary” copies. It is the Court’s practice, and the docket reflects the same,

that a copy of the documents is already being sent to Plaintiff. 

Finally, Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis status does not exempt him from paying certain

court costs and litigation expenses. The in forma pauperis statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1915, permits

Case 2:11-cv-01890-SMM-JFM Document 26 Filed 08/07/12 Page 1 of 2
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 -

the waiver of prepayment of fees and costs for in forma pauperis litigants. 28 U.S.C. §

1915(a). Aside from the specific costs waived pursuant to § 1915(a), no other statute

authorizes courts to commit federal monies for payment of the necessary expenses in a civil

suit brought by an indigent litigant. See Valdez v. Linder, 2008 WL 5435896, at *10 (D.

Mont. April 25, 2008); Tabron v. Grace, 6 F.3d 147, 159 (3rd Cir. 1993); Moss v. ITT

Continental Baking Co., 83 F.R.D. 624, 625 (E.D. Va. 1979) (quoting Haymes v. Smith, 73

F.R.D. 572, 574 (W.D.N.Y. 1976)).

Based on the foregoing, the Court will deny the motion.

Accordingly,

IT IS ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion to Produce Copies, doc. 24, is DENIED.

DATED this 7th day of August, 2012. 

Case 2:11-cv-01890-SMM-JFM Document 26 Filed 08/07/12 Page 2 of 2