IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

 NORTHERN DIVISION

_________________________________

FREDERICK ROSS, #85881 *

Plaintiff, *

 v. * 2:06-CV-771-ID

 (WO)

SHERIFF D.T. MARSHALL, et al., *

Defendants. * 

 __________________________________

ORDER ON MOTION

NOTICE TO PRISONERS: Pursuant to the 1996 revisions to 28 U.S.C. § 1915,

the requisite procedures for filing civil actions in forma pauperis have substantially

changed. Additionally, in accordance with the provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act

of 2005 (Pub. L. No. 109-171), the filing fee for civil actions has increased to $350.00.

The attached notice contains an explanation of these changes.

Upon consideration of the motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed by

Plaintiff on August 28, 2006 (Doc. No. 2), and for good cause, it is 

ORDERED that such motion be and is hereby GRANTED. 

In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1), a prisoner who seeks to

proceed in forma pauperis in a civil action or on appeal is required to pay the full amount of

the requisite filing fee. Upon review of the financial information provided to the court, it

appears that Plaintiff lacks the requisite funds in his prison account for this court to require

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payment of either the entire filing fee or an initial partial filing fee. However, under the

provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1), this court must "assess and, when funds exist, collect"

the $350.00 filing fee from monies available to Plaintiff. In light of the foregoing and in

accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2), it is further 

ORDERED that: 

1. Plaintiff shall make monthly payments of 20 percent of each preceding month's

income credited to his account as payments towards the $350.00 filing fee; and 

2. Those persons having custody of Plaintiff shall forward the above described

payments from Plaintiff's account to the clerk of this court each time the amount in his

account exceeds $10.00 until the $350.00 filing fee is paid in full. Id. 

To aid Plaintiff and those persons having custody of Plaintiff in complying with the

requirements of this order, the clerk is DIRECTED to furnish a copy of this order to the

inmate account clerk at the Montgomery County Detention Facility.

Plaintiff is advised that if this case is dismissed for any reason he remains obligated

to pay the $350.00 filing fee. The filing fee will be collected from any funds which become

available to Plaintiff and will be forwarded to this court by those persons having custody of

Plaintiff pursuant to the directives contained in this order.

Additionally, Plaintiff is advised that if he files a notice of appeal he will likewise be

required to pay the requisite appellate filing fee which is currently $455.00. Thus, if at the

time Plaintiff files a notice of appeal he has the necessary funds to pay the $455.00 filing fee,

he must submit such amount to the court with the notice of appeal. If the requisite funds are

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not available and Plaintiff seeks to proceed in forma pauperis on his appeal, he must

complete an affidavit in support of such request and supply the court with a certified copy

of his prison account statement for the 6-month period preceding the filing of the appeal.

However, Plaintiff is informed that regardless of this court's determination on his in forma

pauperis motion the entire appellate filing fee will be collected from those persons having

custody of him from funds available in his prison account in a manner similar to that outlined

in this order. 

DONE, this 11th day of September, 2006.

/s/ Susan Russ Walker 

SUSAN RUSS WALKER

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

NOTICE

INFORMATION TO PRISONERS SEEKING LEAVE TO 

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1915

IN CIVIL ACTIONS BEFORE ANY FEDERAL COURT

In accordance with 1996 amendments to the in forma pauperis (IFP) statute

governing civil actions in federal court, as a prisoner you will be obligated to pay the

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full filing fee of $350.00 for a civil action. If you later file an appeal, the filing fee for

the appeal is $455.00 and you will likewise be responsible for payment of such fee.

Thus, if at the time you file your action you have the funds available to pay the requisite

filing fee, you must send such amount to the court with your complaint or notice of

appeal and, if appropriate, your IFP application. 

If you do not have enough money to pay the full filing fee when your action is filed,

you can file the action without prepayment of the filing fee. However, the court will assess

and, when funds exist, collect an initial partial filing fee. The initial partial filing fee will be

equal to 20 percent of the average monthly deposits to your prison or jail account for the six

months immediately preceding the filing of the lawsuit, or 20 percent of the average monthly

balance in your prison or jail account for that same six month period, whichever is greater.

The court will order that you make the initial partial filing fee out of your prison or jail

account or any other funds you have indicated are available to you. If you fail to submit the

initial partial filing fee, your case will be dismissed and the full amount of the filing fee

will be collected from those persons having custody of you.

After the initial partial filing fee has been paid, you will be responsible for paying the

balance of the filing fee. To fulfill your obligation for payment of the full filing fee, each

month you will owe 20 percent of your preceding month’s income toward the balance on the

filing fee. Pursuant to an order of the court, the agency that has custody of you will collect

that money and send payments to the court any time the amount in the account exceeds

$10.00. You are advised that the balance of the filing fee will be collected even if the

action is subsequently dismissed for any reason, summary judgment is granted against

you, or you fail to prevail at trial. 

In order to proceed with an action or appeal in forma pauperis you must complete the

affidavit in support of your request to proceed in forma pauperis and supply the court with

a certified copy of your prisoner account statement for the 6-month period preceding the

filing of the complaint or notice of appeal and return it to the court with your cause of action.

If you submit an incomplete form or do not submit a prison or jail account statement with the

form, your request to proceed in forma pauperis will be denied.

Regardless of whether some or all of the filing fee has been paid, the court is

required to screen your complaint and to dismiss the complaint if (1) your allegation

of poverty is untrue; (2) the action is frivolous or malicious; (3) your complaint does not

state a claim on which relief can be granted; or (4) you sue a defendant for money

damages and that defendant is immune from liability for money damages.

If on three or more occasions you have filed actions or appeals while a prisoner

which were dismissed as frivolous or malicious or for failure to state a claim on which

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relief can be granted, then you will be prohibited from bringing any other actions in

forma pauperis unless you are in imminent danger of serious physical injury. In such

cases, your request to proceed in forma pauperis will be denied and you will be required

to pay the appropriate filing fee before proceeding in your civil action.

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