Opinion
1:21-cv-00558-JLT-HBK (PC)
11-02-2023
JOHNATHAN SETH HARPER, Plaintiff, v. WELL PATH, et al., Defendants.
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF'S RENEWED MOTION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS AND REASSESSING FULL FILING FEE (DOC. NO. 31)
HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Pending before the Court is Plaintiff's renewed motion to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”) filed on October 19, 2023. (Doc. No. 31). Plaintiff, a former state prisoner, initiated this action while he was incarcerated. (Doc. No. 1). Although currently released, Plaintiff remains obligated to pay the full amount of the statutory filing fee. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1). As set forth in the Court's July 13, 2023 Order, the total amount that remains due towards the $350.00 filing fee is $141.17. (Doc. No. 30 at 3). Due to Plaintiff's release from custody, there is no inmate trust account from which periodic filing fees may be garnished and forwarded to the Court. Although the Ninth Circuit has yet to decide how a released prisoner who is obligated to “pay the full amount of a filing fee” under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1) may proceed IFP after he is released, “the Ninth Circuit [did note] ‘even prior to the PERA...district courts possessed authority under the non-PLRA-related provisions of § 1915 to require partial and/or installment payments.'” Makoni v. Downs, 2016 WL 7210403, at *3 (S.D. Cal. Dec. 13, 2016) (quoting Putzer v. Attal, 2013 WL 4519351, at *2 (D. Nev. Aug. 23, 2013)) (citing Olivares v. Marshall, 59 F.3d 109, 111 (9th Cir. 1995)).
Plaintiff's renewed motion to proceed IFP makes the showing required to proceed IFP, but consistent with the Prison Litigation Reform Act, Plaintiff remains obligated to pay the full $350.00 statutory filing fee as set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Given Plaintiff's current financial situation, the Court will not assess a monthly installment payment at this time. However, Plaintiff remains responsible for the balance of $141.17 that remains due on the full $350.00 filing fee and will be required to notify the Court as soon as his financial situation changes.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED:
1. Plaintiff's renewed motion to proceed in forma pauperis, (Doc. No. 31) is GRANTED and the Court assesses the remaining balance of $141.17 that remains due on the full $350.00 filing fee due to Plaintiff's former prisoner status.
2. Plaintiff shall notify the Court within thirty (30) days of any change in his current financial situation, i.e. if Plaintiff secures employment or is deemed eligible to receive any form of federal or state financial assistance.
3. Plaintiff's failure to timely notify the Court of a change in his financial circumstances will result in the undersigned recommending the district court dismiss this action.
4. The Court will screen Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint (Doc. No. 32) in due course.