Legal Document

489 U.S. 180 109 S.Ct. 993 103 L.Ed.2d 158 In re Jessie McDONALD, Petitioner. No. 88-5890. Feb. 21, 1989. PER CURIAM. 1 Pro se petitioner McDonald requests that this Court issue a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241(a). He also he be permitted proceed in forma pauperis under Court's Rule 46. We deny leave pauperis. is allowed until March 14, 1989, within which pay the docketing fee required by 45(a) and submit petition compliance with 33. direct Clerk not accept any further petitions from for extraordinary writs §§ 1651(a), 2241, 2254(a), unless pays submits his explain below our reasons taking step. 2 Petitioner no stranger us. Since 1971, has made 73 separate filings Court, including petition, eighth so far Term. These include 4 appeals,1 33 certiorari,2 99 writs,3 7 applications stays other injunctive relief,4 10 rehearing.5 Without recorded dissent, denied all appeals various motions. have never previously him pauperis.6 3 The instant arises petitioner's 1974 state conviction obtaining title 1972 Ford LTD automobile false pretenses, was sentenced three years' imprisonment. appealed Tennessee Criminal Appeals, reversed on ground there evidence alleged victim relied statements. January 1976, Supreme reinstated conviction. State v. McDonald, 534 S.W.2d 650. certiorari, 425 955, 96 1733, 48 200 (1976), rehearing denied, 1000, 2219, 826 (1976). 13 years since became final, filed numerous motions relief courts, been rejected. example, "set aside" "expunge" "from public records." presently incarcerated. contends constitutional rights were violated State's failure prove property obtained pretenses valued at over $100, as statute convicted. put forward same argument—unsuccessfully—in least four prior mandamus, days before disposed more than month after filed.7 5 Title 1915 provides "[a]ny court United States may authorize commencement, prosecution or defense suit, action proceeding, civil criminal, appeal therein, without prepayment fees costs security therefor." (Emphasis added.) As statute, we adopted 46.1, "[a] party desiring shall file motion proceed, together affidavit form prescribed Fed.Rules App.Proc., Form . setting forth particularity facts showing comes statutory requirements." Each year, permit vast majority persons who wish do so; last Term, afforded privilege proceeding about 2,300 persons. Paupers an important—and valued—part docket, see, e.g., Gideon Wainwright, 372 335, 83 792, 9 799 (1963), remain so. 6 But paupers filing pro are subject financial considerations—filing attorney's fees—that deter litigants frivolous petitions. Every paper matter how repetitious frivolous, requires some portion institution's limited resources. A part responsibility see these resources allocated way promotes interests justice. continual processing does promote end. Although done previously, lower courts issued orders intended curb serious abuses pauperis.8 Our order here prevents when seeking Court.9 It perhaps worth noting granted sort relentlessly sought litigant—paid pauperis—for decade. emphasized are, surprisingly, "drastic remedies," "reserved really causes," "appeal clearly inadequate remedy." Ex parte Fahey, 332 258, 259, 260, 67 1558, 1559, 91 L.Ed. 2041 (1947). remains free present writ, if qualifies 46 similarly abuse privilege. 8 ordered. Justice BRENNAN, whom MARSHALL, BLACKMUN, STEVENS join, dissenting. first such act its almost 200-year history, today bars door litigant prospectively. well abused right payment fee; documents fact. I agree, however, poses threat orderly administration justice should embark unprecedented dangerous course charts today. 11 denial just McDonald's but future is, all, questionable legality. federal authorized written permissively, it establishes comprehensive scheme filings. Nothing suggests authority pleadings others basis many times they review. Indeed, anything, language forecloses takes Section 1915(d) explains circumstances pleading dismissed follows: "may dismiss case allegation poverty untrue, satisfied malicious." This individualized assessment frivolousness maliciousness prospective precludes. one it, court's discretion cases summarily "is every itself restricts application complaints found Sills Bureau Prisons, 245 U.S.App.D.C. 389, 391, 761 F.2d 794 (1985) (emphasis added). Needless say, barred "found be" frivolous. Even very strong well-founded belief will cannot render before-the-fact disposition compatible determination contemplates. 12 governs practice No grant us disqualify use status. 46.4 would seem forbid practice, specifies requirements described complied with, "will file" litigant's papers "and place docket." Today refuse that. Of amend own rules need so, bound them. legality ordering beyond doubt, still oppose unwise, potentially dangerous, departure traditional principle courthouse open all. 14 purports motivated disproportionate consumption time Yet truly appears, hardly much identify them such. find difficult amount deal properly could great justify step now take. consumed preparation barring Mr. exceeds necessary process next several least. continue puzzling fervor ensuring poor abused, even doing actually increases drain Cf. Brown Herald Co., 464 928, 104 331, 78 301 (1983) (BRENNAN, J., dissenting). Today's makes sense efficiency measure only merely prelude similar regard litigants, generalized rule limiting number individual file. Therein lies danger. 15 seems indicate measures, litigant, forthcoming. notes writs, "does privilege." Ante, 185. 19 abusive, long conclude certiorari abusive bar well? am loss say why, logically, can serve precedent actions future, both others. 16 doubt—although certain—that prevented ultimately meritorious. most concerned, if, fear, chart today, end closing doors meritorious claim. rare, happen occasion review decide favor had presented multiple unsuccessful issue. See, Chessman Teets, 354 156, 77 1127, 1253 (1957); id., 173-177, 1136-1138 (Douglas, 17 annually receives hundreds petitions, pauperis, raise colorable legal claim whatever, less question worthy Many come individuals whose mental emotional stability appears questionable. take reject certain expenditure required, relation work whole. To rid small annoyance, needlessly departs generous tradition improvidently sets sail journey landing point uncertain. boasted longer. 18 For stated supra, reaching merits above, dissent directing petitioner. See Alabama, 479 1061, 107 943, 93 (1987); 466 957, 2182, 80 564 (1984); Tennessee, 432 901, 97 2943, 53 1074 (1977); Purity Dairies Employees Federal Credit Union, 431 961, 2914, 1057 (1977). Tobey, 488 971, 505, 102 540 (1988); Metropolitan Government Nashville Davidson County, 481 1053, 2190, 95 846 475 1088, 106 1474, 89 729 (1986); 474 951, 318, 88 (1985); Leech, 467 1208, 2394, 81 351 Humphries, 461 946, 2125, 1304 (1983); 934, 2102, 309 Draper, 459 1112, 744, 74 964 Thompson, 456 981, 2253, 72 858 (1982); 455 1468, 71 675 454 649, 70 625 (1981); 452 965, 101 3117, 69 977 450 983, 1521, 819 Airport Authority, 1002, 1713, 68 206 933, 1396, 367 District 444 900, 100 211, 62 137 (1979); Birch, 875, 158, Yellow Freight Systems, Inc., 159, 436 911, 98 2249, 56 411 (1978); 434 866, 203, 54 143 County Election Comm'n, 958, 2684, 276 2642, 250 429 1064, 50 781 (1976); 423 991, 404, (1975); 416 975, 94 2004, 40 565 (1974); 415 1493, 39 576 Wellons, 414 1074, 589, 38 (1973); Metro Traffic Parking 409 1117, 926, 34 702 405 92 978, 30 801 (1972); 404 843, 141, 79 (1971). 940, 381, 370 (1988) (mandamus and/or prohibition); 813, 197, 167 (common law certiorari); 485 986, 108 1303, 513 (mandamus); 484 812, 213, 178 (1987) 214, (habeas corpus); 809, 252, (1986) 470 1082, 105 1857, 85 154 811, 208, 184 Leathers, 439 815, 225, 58 197 (1978) (leave mandamus); 237, 161 (1977) 430 963, 1667, 52 (motion consolidate 1161, 51 574 relief); 420 922, 1150, 43 (1975) Mott, 410 907, 35 280 (1973) mandamus relief). Government, 487 1230, 2892, 927 (stay); 1010, 1885, 493 Alexander, 458 1124, 5, 1395 (1982) (injunction); 451 2311, 837 (1981) 903, 2946, 1075 (application supersedeas bond); 1012, 638, 623 (1976) (stay 870 (1974) (stay). 480 912, 1362, 532 956, 449, 396 1151, 1807, 90 471 1062, 2129, 492 1257, 3550, 82 852 1229, 1240, 75 472 457 1126, 2950, 1344 2010, 320 417 927, 2636, 41 230 (1974). support states earns approximately $300 per month, self-employed, $25 checking savings account. dependents. (petition common corpus). Procup Strickland, 792 1069 (CA11 1986); Peck Hoff, 660 371 (CA8 1981); Green Carlson, 649 285 (CA5 cf. Martin-Trigona, 737 1254, 1261 (CA2 1984) ("Federal inherent power obligation protect their jurisdiction conduct impairs ability carry out Article III functions"). repeatedly ignored letter spirit 26, that, "[t]o granting [an writ], must shown aid appellate jurisdiction, exceptional warranting exercise discretionary powers, adequate court."

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