Court Opinion

ID: 9429456
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-02 23:26:47.94616+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:23:19.732280
License: Public Domain

Justice Stevens,
dissenting.
Although I agree with Justice Brennan that we should simply deny unmeritorious certiorari petitions without scrutinizing the petitioner’s right to proceed informa pauperis, I would not grant any such petition without making sure that the petitioner is unable to pay the required costs. If such examination disclosed the kind of disrespect for our rules that has motivated the Court’s unusual action in these cases, I would deny the petition even if it would otherwise have merited review. That would remove any incentive a petitioner might otherwise have to seek in forma pauperis status although ineligible for such status, without requiring the Court to assume the burden of examining every motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. In borderline cases the petitioner should, of course, be given an opportunity to pay the required costs before final action is taken on his application. I see no purpose, however, in insisting that these petitioners — none of whom is represented by counsel who could advise them that their petitions stand no chance of being granted — pay a fee for the privilege of having their petitions denied.