Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01128/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01128-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2254 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (State)

---

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

DAVID TOWNSEL,

Petitioner,

v.

MADERA COUNTY DISTRICT 

ATTORNEY’S OFFICE,

Respondent.

Case No. 1:15-cv-01128-GSA-HC

ORDER GRANTING PETITIONER’S 

MOTION TO PROCEED IN FORMA 

PAUPERIS

(ECF No. 3)

Petitioner, presently serving a term of probation, is proceeding pro se with a petition for 

writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. On July 21, 2015, Petitioner filed the instant 

petition in this Court. (ECF No. 1). Petitioner also filed an application to proceed in forma 

pauperis on July 21, 2015. (ECF No. 3). 

Title 28, United States Code, Section 1915 governs the determination of applications to 

proceed in forma pauperis. In order to proceed in court without prepayment of the filing fee, 

Petitioner must submit an affidavit demonstrating that he “is unable to pay such fees or give 

security therefor.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1). In assessing whether a certain income level meets 

the poverty threshold under Section 1915(a)(1), courts look to the federal poverty guidelines 

developed each year by the Department of Health and Human Services. See Lint v. City of 

Boise, Civil Action No. 09-72-S-EJL, 2009 WL 1149442, at *2 (D. Idaho Apr. 28, 2009); 

Case 1:15-cv-01128-GSA Document 5 Filed 07/22/15 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

Johnson v. Leohane, Civil Action No. 08-00432-ACK-KSC, 2008 WL 4527065, at *1 (D. 

Hawai’i Oct. 9, 2008); Johnson v. Spellings, 579 F.Supp.2d 188, 191 (D.D.C. 2008).

The Court has evaluated whether Petitioner meets the standard to proceed in forma 

pauperis according to Title 28, United States Code, Section 1915. Based upon the information in 

his application to proceed in forma pauperis, the Court finds that Petitioner is indigent and 

unable to pay the filing fee. 

Accordingly, Petitioner’s application to proceed in forma pauperis is GRANTED. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 22, 2015 /s/ Gary S. Austin 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-01128-GSA Document 5 Filed 07/22/15 Page 2 of 2