Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_17-cv-02137/USCOURTS-casd-3_17-cv-02137-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1442 Notice of Removal - Suit against Federal Officer

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

HAMMER,

Plaintiff,

v.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Defendant.

Case No.: 17-cv-02137-BTM-NLS

ORDER 

ECF NOS. 31, 32

On December 18, 2017, the Court granted Plaintiff’s Motion to Proceed In 

Forma Pauperis. (ECF No. 20). On September 13, 2018, the Court granted 

Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss and denied Plaintiff’s Motion to Remand, finding

that Plaintiff’s claims were barred by issue preclusion. (ECF No. 26). 

On September 19, 2018, the Ninth Circuit referred the matter back to this 

Court for “the limited purpose of determining whether in forma pauperis status 

should continue for this appeal or whether the appeal is frivolous or taken in bad 

faith.” (ECF No. 31). Plaintiff filed a supplemental brief to oppose the revocation 

of his in forma pauperis status. (ECF No. 32). 

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A court may excuse a party from prepayment of fees if the party submits an 

affidavit stating their assets and that such assets are insufficient to pay court fees. 

28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1). However, “[a]n 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). When an appeal raises only frivolous arguments, it is not taken in good 

faith. See id.; Hooker v. American Airlines, 302 F.3d 1091, 1092 (9th Cir. 2002). 

For the reasons set forth in the Court’s order granting Defendant’s Motion to 

Dismiss and denying Plaintiff’s Motion to Remand, the Court finds Plaintiff’s appeal 

to be frivolous. (ECF No. 26). Plaintiff’s supplemental brief introduces no cogent 

argument persuading the Court otherwise. (ECF No. 32). Therefore, pursuant to 

28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), the Court certifies in writing that Plaintiff’s appeal is not 

taken in good faith. 

Dated: October 9, 2018

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