Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-00265/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-00265-6/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LOFOFORA EVA CONTRERAZ also

known as Mike Contreraz,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 11cv265-GPC(PCL)

ORDER RE NOTICE OF

REFERRAL

[Dkt. No. 86.]

vs.

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary of the

United States Department of Interior;

M. SHARON BLACKWELL, Deputy

Commissioner of Indian Affairs; Does

1, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary,

Policy and Economic Development,

and DOES 1-10, inclusive,

Defendants.

On March 25, 2015, the Court granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss since the

remaining issue in the case was moot. (Dkt. No. 80.) On April 20, 2015, Plaintiff filed

a notice of appeal of the Court’s order. (Dkt. No. 83.) On April 22, 2015, the United

States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit submitted a referral notice to the District

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. (Dkt.

No. 86.) 

“An 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). Federal Rule of

Appellate Procedure 24(a)(3) provides that

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a party who was permitted to proceed in forma pauperis in the districtcourt action, or who was determined to be financially unable to obtain an

adequate defense in a criminal case, to proceed on appeal in forma

pauperis without further authorization, unless: (A) the district court--

before or after the notice of appeal is filed--certifies that the appeal is not

taken in good faith or finds that the party is not otherwise entitled to

proceed in forma pauperis and states in writing its reasons for the

certification or finding; or (B) a statute provides otherwise. 

Fed. R. App. P. 24(a)(3). For purposes of 28 U.S.C. § 1915, an appeal is frivolous if

it lacks any arguable basis in law or fact. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325

(1989). Based on the Court’s ruling on Defendants’ motion to dismiss, it concludes

that the appeal lacks any arguable basis in law or fact and is frivolous. Accordingly,

it is HEREBY ORDERED that: (1) Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis status is REVOKED

for purposes of the appeal; and (2) the Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to notify the Ninth

Circuit Court of Appeals that the Court certifies that Plaintiff’s appeal is frivolous. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: April 23, 2015

HON. GONZALO P. CURIEL

United States District Judge

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