Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_22-cv-01619/USCOURTS-caed-2_22-cv-01619-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1983 Civil Rights

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8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

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17 Plaintiff Jeff Nelson, who is represented by counsel, recently filed a civil rights complaint 

18 alleging police used unnecessary force in response to his 911 call for police to help his son. See

19 Compl. ¶¶ 7–9, ECF No. 1. He now applies to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP). 

20 “[A] plaintiff may commence an action without paying the filing fees where she submits 

21 an affidavit stating that she lacks sufficient funds and where her suit is not frivolous or 

22 malicious.” Escobedo v. Applebees, 787 F.3d 1226, 1234 (9th Cir. 2015). It is not necessary to 

23 prove absolute destitution. Adkins v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339 (1948). 

24 The applicant must include enough information in the affidavit to show that the applicant cannot 

25 “pay the court costs and still afford the necessities of life.” Escobedo, 787 F.3d at 1234. 

26 Nelson states in his application that he is not employed and that he has income of $2,000 

27 per month from “social security” and “welfare.” App. at 1, ECF No. 2. He has no funds in cash 

28 or bank accounts and no other valuable assets. Id. at 2. He pays $1,500 per month for housing 

Jeff Nelson, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

City of Fairfield, 

Defendant. 

No. 2:22-cv-01619-KJM-DB 

ORDER 

Case 2:22-cv-01619-DJC-SCR Document 4 Filed 10/19/22 Page 1 of 2
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1 and utilities. Id. He also states that he owes “2,000 in restitution,” but he does not describe that 

2 debt any further, so the court has not taken it into account. See id. 

3 Nelson’s income leaves him at most $500 per month to pay for the necessities of life after 

4 housing and utilities. If he were required to pay the filing fee, he would be left with only $150 for 

5 everything from food to transportation, and he has no savings or other assets to fall back upon. 

6 His affidavit is sufficient, and the court cannot conclude his complaint is frivolous or malicious, 

7 so his application to proceed IFP (ECF No. 2) is granted.

8 IT IS SO ORDERED. 

9 DATED: October 18, 2022. 

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Case 2:22-cv-01619-DJC-SCR Document 4 Filed 10/19/22 Page 2 of 2