Opinion
No. C 04-2967 VRW (PR), (Doc #2).
July 28, 2004
ORDER OF DISMISSAL
Plaintiff, a prisoner at the San Mateo County Jail and a frequent litigant in federal court, has filed a pro se civil rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 challenging the adequacy of his meals. Among other things, plaintiff alleges that the meals have caused his cholesterol level to rise and made him vomit. Plaintiff also seeks to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915.
The Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (" PLRA") was enacted, and became effective, on April 26, 1996. It provides that a prisoner may not bring a civil action or appeal a civil judgment under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 "if the prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury." 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). "Section 1915(g)'s cap on prior dismissed claims applies to claims dismissed both before and after the [PLRA's] effective date." Tierney v. Kupers, 128 F.3d 1310, 1312 (9th Cir 1997).
Plaintiff has had three or more prior prisoner actions dismissed by this court on the grounds that they are frivolous, malicious, or fail to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. See, e.g., Fisher v. Wright, No C 95-4134 CAL (PR) (ND Cal Dec 13, 1995) (order of dismissal for failure to state a claim); Fisher v. Goldman, No C 01-2911 VRW (PR) (ND Cal July 31, 2001) (same); Fisher v. Tucker, No C 01-3179 VRW (PR) (ND Cal Oct 16, 2001) (same); see also Fisher v. Smith, No C 04-2080 VRW (PR) (ND Cal June 15, 2004) (order of dismissal for failure to exhaust administrative remedies). Plaintiff therefore may proceed in forma pauperis only if he is seeking relief from a danger of serious physical injury which is imminent at the time of filing. See Abdul-Akbar v. McKelvie, 239 F.3d 307, 312 (3d Cir 2001) (en banc); Medberry v. Butler, 185 F.3d 1189, 1192-93 (11th Cir 1999); Ashley v. Dilworth, 147 F.3d 715, 717 (8th Cir 1998);Banos v. O'Guin, 144 F.3d 883, 885 (5th Cir 1998). He is not. Although regrettable, plaintiff's allegations do not involve an "imminent" danger of serious physical injury.
Because plaintiff has had three or more prior dismissals and is not under imminent danger of serious physical injury, his request to proceed in forma pauperis (doc # 2) is DENIED and the instant action is DISMISSED without prejudice to bringing it in a paid complaint.
The Clerk shall close the file and terminate all pending motions as moot. No fee is due at this time.
SO ORDERED.