Opinion ID: 734158
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Screening Process

Text: 19 Unlike prisoner cases, complaints by non-prisoners are not subject to the screening process required by § 1915A. However, the district court must still screen the complaint under § 1915(e)(2). See Floyd v. United States Postal Serv., 105 F.3d 274, 277-79 (6th Cir.1997) (applying Act to cases brought by non-prisoners). Even if a non-prisoner pays the filing fee and/or is represented by counsel, the complaint must be screened under § 1915(e)(2). The language of § 1915(e)(2) does not differentiate between cases filed by prisoners and cases filed by non-prisoners. The screening must occur even before process is served or the individual has had an opportunity to amend the complaint. The moment the complaint is filed, it is subject to review under § 1915(e)(2). If the complaint falls within the requirements of § 1915(e)(2) when filed, it must be dismissed. 20 Section 1915(e)(2) states that regardless of whether a filing fee has been paid, the district court must dismiss the case if the complaint satisfies the factors of § 1915(e)(2). Thus, even if the filing fee is paid, the district court must dismiss the complaint if it comports with § 1915(e)(2). The statute, therefore, supersedes our decision of Clark v. Ocean Brand Tuna, 974 F.2d 48, 50 (6th Cir.1992) (per curiam).B. Failure To File Required Forms 21 Like prisoner suits, the affidavit of indigency from a non-prisoner must be filed with the tendered complaint. Courts first must examine the individual's financial status, so the non-prisoner must file an affidavit of indigency to proceed as a pauper. If the non-prisoner fails to pay the full filing fee or fails to file the affidavit with the complaint, the district court shall notify the non-prisoner of the deficiency and the non-prisoner shall have thirty (30) days to correct the error. Should the non-prisoner fail to file the full filing fee or the affidavit of indigency, the district court shall presume that the individual is not a pauper and dismiss the case for want of prosecution. Even if the individual tenders the filing fee after the dismissal, the case shall not be reinstated to the district court's active docket. 22 As in prisoner cases, the non-prisoner may seek an extension of time to file an affidavit or to pay the filing fee. However, the non-prisoner must file the extension with the clerk of the district court, see Fed.R.Civ.P. 5(e), within thirty (30) days of the district court's deficiency order, or the motion may not be granted unless the individual makes an affirmative showing that he or she did not receive the deficiency order within the thirty (30) days. If such a showing, setting forth the date of actual receipt, is made in a notarized statement or a declaration complying with 28 U.S.C. § 1746, then the district court may, in its discretion, grant an additional thirty (30) days from the date of the filing of the extension order to allow the individual to complete the deficiency.