Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_02-cv-00214/USCOURTS-caed-2_02-cv-00214-22/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TERRENCE BROWNLEE,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-02-214 MCE GGH P

vs.

MURPHY, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

On April 14, 2010, plaintiff pro se filed a motion for a copy of the trial transcripts. 

A jury trial was commenced on March 8, 2010, and judgment for defendants was entered in this

civil rights action on March 9, 2010. Plaintiff filed a notice of appeal on March 12, 2010. 

A litigant who has been granted in forma pauperis status may move to have

transcripts produced at government expense. See 28 U.S.C. § 753(f); McKinney v. Anderson,

924 F.2d 1500, 1511-12 (9th Cir.1991)(production of transcript at government expense for in

forma pauperis appellant in civil case proper if trial judge certifies “that the appeal is not

frivolous and presents a substantial question”). Two statutes must be considered whenever the

district court receives a request to prepare transcripts at the government's expense. First, 28

U.S.C. § 1915(c) defines the limited circumstances under which the court can direct the

government to pay for transcripts for a litigant proceeding in forma pauperis.

Case 2:02-cv-00214-MCE-GGH Document 244 Filed 05/06/10 Page 1 of 2
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(c) Upon the filing of an affidavit in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) and

the prepayment of any partial filing fee as may be required under subsection (b),

the court may direct payment by the United States of the expenses of (1) printing

the record on appeal in any civil or criminal case, if such printing is required by

the appellate court.... Such expenses shall be paid when authorized by the

Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

28 U.S.C. § 1915(c).

Second, 28 U.S.C. § 753(f) allows the court to order the government to pay for

transcripts only if “the trial judge or a circuit judge certifies that the appeal is not frivolous and

the transcript is needed to decide the issue presented by the suit or appeal.” 28 U.S.C. § 753(f). 

A request for a transcript at government expense should not be granted unless the appeal presents

a substantial question. Henderson v. United States, 734 F.2d 483, 484 (9th Cir.1984). His

generic statement that he needs the trial transcripts to prepare his opening brief on appeal does

not provide a sufficient basis for his need for the transcripts. Based on plaintiff's notice of

appeal, wherein plaintiff sweepingly asserts that “every defendant...lied on the stand” and his

transcript request, the court finds that the appeal does not present a substantial question and the

request for a transcript at government expense is denied. In addition, plaintiff is notified that the

appellate court has access to the court's file in this case, and will request any necessary

documents that are in the record directly from this court.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s March 14, 2010 (docket # 243) request

for a copy of the trial transcripts at government expense is denied. 

Dated: May 5, 2010

________________________________

MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 2:02-cv-00214-MCE-GGH Document 244 Filed 05/06/10 Page 2 of 2