Opinion ID: 734158
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Multiple Prisoners As Parties

Text: 39 The statute does not specify how fees are to be assessed when multiple prisoners constitute the plaintiffs or appellants. Because each prisoner chose to join in the prosecution of the case, each prisoner should be proportionally liable for any fees and costs that may be assessed. Thus, any fees and costs that the district court or the court of appeals may impose shall be equally divided among all the prisoners. This procedure also will permit easier accounting for the district courts and prison officials. 40 In cases involving class actions, the district courts are not to assess fees and costs to each member of the class. As a class action certification is normally made long after the complaint is filed, the responsibility to pay the required fees and costs shall rest with the prisoner or prisoners signing the complaint. In class actions on appeal, the prisoner or prisoners signing the notice of appeal shall be obligated to pay all appellate fees and costs.