Opinion
2:23-cv-01264-CDS-VCF
10-05-2023
Niyaa Buncch, et al., Plaintiffs, v. Mark Smith, et al., Defendants.
ORDER APPLICATION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS (EFC NO. 1)
CAM FERENBACH, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Pro se plaintiff Niyaa Buncch filed an application to proceed in forma pauperis. ECF No. 1. I deny her IFP application without prejudice. I also order that the second plaintiff in this case, Chloe Smoots, must also sign and file a separate IFP application, as detailed below.
DISCUSSION
Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1), a plaintiff may bring a civil action “without prepayment of fees or security thereof” if the plaintiff submits a financial affidavit that demonstrates the plaintiff “is unable to pay such fees or give security therefor.” The Ninth Circuit has recognized that “there is no formula set forth by statute, regulation, or case law to determine when someone is poor enough to earn IFP status.” Escobedo v. Applebees, 787 F.3d 1226, 1235 (9th Cir. 2015). An applicant need not be destitute to qualify for a waiver of costs and fees but he must demonstrate that because of his poverty he cannot pay those costs and still provide himself with the necessities of life. Adkins v. E.I DuPont de Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339 (1948). "Although only one filing fee needs to be paid per case, if multiple plaintiffs seek to proceed in forma pauperis, each plaintiff must qualify for IFP status." Middleton v. Omely Telecom Corp., 2:16-cv-01369-JAD-GWF, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 190335 at 6, citing to Anderson v. California, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 114197, 2010 WL 4316996 at 1 (S.D. Cal. Oct. 27, 2010).
The applicant's affidavit must state the facts regarding the individual's poverty “with some particularity, definiteness and certainty.” United States v. McQuade, 647 F.2d 938, 940 (9th Cir. 1981) (citation omitted). If an individual is unable or unwilling to verify his or her poverty, district courts have the discretion to make a factual inquiry into a plaintiff's financial status and to deny a request to proceed in forma pauperis. See, e.g., Marin v. Hahn, 271 Fed.Appx. 578 (9th Cir. 2008) (finding that the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying the plaintiff's request to proceed IFP because he “failed to verify his poverty adequately”). “Such affidavit must include a complete statement of the plaintiff's personal assets.” Harper v. San Diego City Admin. Bldg., No. 16cv00768 AJB (BLM), 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 192145, at 1 (S.D. Cal. June 9, 2016). Misrepresentation of assets is sufficient grounds in themselves for denying an in forma pauperis application. Cf. Kennedy v. Huibregtse, 831 F.3d 441, 44344 (7th Cir. 2016) (affirming dismissal with prejudice after litigant misrepresented assets on in forma pauperis application).
The District of Nevada has adopted three types of IFP applications: a “Prisoner Form” for incarcerated persons and a “Short Form” (AO 240) and “Long Form” (AO 239) for non-incarcerated persons. The Long Form requires more detailed information than the Short Form. The court typically does not order an applicant to submit the Long Form unless the Short Form is inadequate, or it appears that the plaintiff is concealing information about his income for determining whether the applicant qualifies for IFP status. When an applicant is specifically ordered to submit the Long Form, the correct form must be submitted, and the applicant must provide all the information requested in the Long Form so that the court is able to make a fact finding regarding the applicant's financial status. See e.g. Greco v. NYE Cty. Dist. Jude Robert Lane, No. 215CV01370MMDPAL, 2016 WL 7493981, at 3 (D. Nev. Nov. 9, 2016), report and recommendation adopted sub nom. Greco v. Lake, No. 215CV001370MMDPAL, 2016 WL 7493963 (D. Nev. Dec. 30, 2016). Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 10(a) commands that the title of every complaint must name all the parties. “The normal presumption in litigation is that parties must use their real names.” Doe v. Kamehameha Sch./Bernice Pauahi Bishop Est., 596 F.3d 1036, 1042 (9th Cir. 2010).
Niyaa Buncch filled out the short form on behalf of herself, her minor child M.G., and Chloe Smoots, who appears to be her adult daughter. Buncch left a few check boxes in response to question three blank. Buncch signed the IFP form. Buncch's adult daughter, named plaintiff Chloe Smoots, however, did not complete or sign a separate IFP form. Chloe Smoots is a named plaintiff, so Smoots must fill out and sign her own IFP form to proceed in this case as the second named plaintiff. Since the two named plaintiffs have not completed IFP forms, I cannot determine if the plaintiffs both qualify for IFP status.
I will allow both plaintiffs another opportunity to show that they qualify for IFP status. Both plaintiff Niyaa Buncch and plaintiff Chloe Smoots must fill out and sign separate long form applications. Both plaintiffs must answer all questions on the long form, and they cannot leave any questions blank.
ACCORDINGLY, I ORDER that plaintiff Niyaa Buncch's application to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 1) is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
I FURTHER ORDER that by Monday, November 6, 2023, both plaintiffs Niyaa Buncch and Chloe Smoots must either (1) sign and file two separate long form applications to proceed in forma pauperis as specified in my order or (2) plaintiffs must pay the full fee for filing a civil action.
I FURTHER ORDER that failure to timely comply with this Order may result in a recommendation that this case be dismissed with prejudice.
NOTICE
Pursuant to Local Rules IB 3-1 and IB 3-2, a party may object to orders and reports and recommendations issued by the magistrate judge. Objections must be in writing and filed with the Clerk of the Court within fourteen days. LR IB 3-1, 3-2. The Supreme Court has held that the courts of appeal may determine that an appeal has been waived due to the failure to file objections within the specified time. Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 142 (1985).
This circuit has also held that (1) failure to file objections within the specified time and (2) failure to properly address and brief the objectionable issues waives the right to appeal the District Court's order and/or appeal factual issues from the order of the District Court. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153, 1157 (9th Cir. 1991); Britt v. Simi Valley United Sch. Dist., 708 F.2d 452, 454 (9th Cir. 1983). Pursuant to LR IA 3-1, the plaintiff must immediately file written notification with the court of any change of address. The notification must include proof of service upon each opposing party's attorney, or upon the opposing party if the party is unrepresented by counsel. Failure to comply with this rule may result in dismissal of the action.
IT IS SO ORDERED.