Opinion ID: 1598126
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: in forma pauperis appeals

Text: As stated below, the district court lacked the basis for the issuance of a writ, and the judgment of the district court must be reversed and the cause remanded with directions to dismiss. However, Escudero's difficulties in pursuing her appeal prompt us to exercise our power to make reasonable rules and regulations for a review of a case on appeal. See, Nebraska State Bank, supra ; Barney, supra ; Schmidt, supra . We use this opportunity to clarify the proper procedure lower courts must follow when denying leave to proceed in forma pauperis and to provide a mechanism for an appellate court to review such a denial. Section 25-2301 provides: Any court of the State of Nebraska, except the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court, or of any county shall authorize the commencement, prosecution, or defense of any suit, action, or proceeding, civil or criminal, or appeal therein, without prepayment of fees and costs or security, by a person who makes an affidavit that he or she is unable to pay such costs or give security. Such affidavit shall state the nature of the action, defense, or appeal and affiant's belief that he or she is entitled to redress. An appeal may not be taken in forma pauperis if the trial court certifies in writing that it is not taken in good faith. Neb.Rev.Stat. § 25-2306 (Reissue 1989) provides that the trial court shall order transcripts to be furnished without cost if an appeal is not frivolous, but presents a substantial question, and if the transcript is needed to prepare, present, or decide the issue presented by the appeal. Neb.Rev.Stat. § 25-2308 (Reissue 1989) provides, The court may dismiss the case or permit the affiant to proceed upon payment of costs if the allegation of poverty is untrue, or if the court is satisfied that the action is frivolous or malicious. We have uniformly held that lower courts are divested of subject matter jurisdiction over a particular case when an appeal of that case is perfected. Sports Courts of Omaha v. Meginnis, 242 Neb. 768, 497 N.W.2d 38 (1993); State v. Battershaw, 220 Neb. 661, 371 N.W.2d 313 (1985). In In re Interest of N.L.B., 234 Neb. 280, 450 N.W.2d 676 (1990), we held that an in forma pauperis appeal is perfected when the appellant timely filed a notice of appeal and an affidavit of poverty. Although jurisdiction is vested in the appellate court upon timely filing of a notice of appeal and an affidavit of poverty, some duties are still required of the lower court. See, e.g., § 25-1912(4) and (5) (Cum.Supp.1994); Neb.Ct.R. of Prac. 1 (rev. 1993). For example, the lower court must forward to the appellate court the notice of appeal, requests for the transcript and the bill of exceptions, and the docket fee or poverty affidavit. Sections 25-2301 and 25-2308 require the lower court to act if it determines that the allegations of poverty are untrue or if it determines that the appeal is not taken in good faith. Generally, appellants are entitled to the benefits of an in forma pauperis appeal when the affidavit of poverty and notice of appeal are filed and stand uncontradicted and unobjected to. If there is no hearing on the poverty affidavit and the appeal, or when there is a hearing and the evidence is uncontradicted, the trial court has a duty to allow the appellant to proceed in forma pauperis. State v. Eberhardt, 179 Neb. 843, 140 N.W.2d 802 (1966). However, on the court's own motion or on objection, a trial court may inquire into the truthfulness or good faith of the litigant's poverty affidavit and notice of appeal. Id. Here, the district court summarily denied Escudero's motion to proceed in forma pauperis because, in the court's opinion, Escudero's appeal was frivolous. No hearing was held, and the district court provided no findings in support of its holding that Escudero's appeal was frivolous. Escudero appealed the district court's denial of her motion to proceed in forma pauperis to this court via a motion for order authorizing appellant to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to Neb.Ct.R.Prac. 6 (rev. 1992). Given her indigency, Escudero was unable to pay the costs of pursuing a direct appeal and was unable to provide a transcript or a bill of exceptions from the trial below. Accordingly, our review of Escudero's appeal from the denial of her in forma pauperis motion was based entirely on her brief in support of her motion to proceed and on her attached poverty affidavit. Ordinarily, a trial court's decision regarding the truthfulness or good faith of a litigant's poverty affidavit and notice of appeal will not be disturbed on appeal unless it amounts to an abuse of discretion. See Eberhardt, supra . We could not determine whether the trial court acted within its discretion or abused its discretion without a statement of why the court deemed Escudero's appeal to be frivolous. In the future, when it appears that a trial court may deny an appellant leave to proceed in forma pauperis, a hearing shall be held. As required by § 25-2301, the trial court must certify in writing if, in its judgment, an appeal lacks good faith. However, a written statement of the trial court's reasons, findings, and conclusions for denial of the appellant's leave to proceed in forma pauperis must accompany its certification that an appeal is frivolous.