Opinion
No. 19-1211-JDT-cgc
09-19-2019
KEITH LAMONT FARMER, Plaintiff, v. SHAWN PHILLIPS, ET AL., Defendants.
ORDER DIRECTING PLAINTIFF TO COMPLY WITH 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(a)(1)-(2) OR PAY THE $400 CIVIL FILING FEE
On September 18, 2019, Plaintiff Keith Lamont Farmer, who is incarcerated at the West Tennessee State Penitentiary in Henning, Tennessee, filed a pro se civil complaint and a motion to proceed in forma pauperis. (ECF Nos. 1 & 2.)
Under the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(a)-(b), a prisoner bringing a civil action must pay the filing fee required by 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). Although the obligation to pay the fee accrues at the moment the case is filed, see McGore v. Wrigglesworth, 114 F.3d 601, 605 (6th Cir. 1997), partially overruled on other grounds by LaFountain v. Harry, 716 F.3d 944, 951 (6th Cir. 2013), the PLRA provides the prisoner the opportunity to make a "down payment" of a partial filing fee and pay the remainder in installments. Id. at 604. However, in order to take advantage of the installment procedures, the prisoner must complete and submit to the district court, along with the complaint, an in forma pauperis affidavit and a certified copy of his inmate trust account statement for the last six months. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2). In this case, Plaintiff submitted both an in forma pauperis affidavit and a certified copy of his trust account statement; however, Plaintiff neglected to sign the affidavit.
The civil filing fee is $350. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). The Schedule of Fees set out following the statute also requires the Clerk to collect an administrative fee of $50 for filing any civil case. However, the additional $50 fee will not apply if Plaintiff ultimately is granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis.
Therefore, Plaintiff is ORDERED to submit, within 30 days after the date of this order, either the entire $400 civil filing fee or a properly completed and signed application to proceed in forma pauperis. The Clerk is directed to mail Plaintiff another copy of the prisoner in forma pauperis affidavit form along with this order. If Plaintiff needs additional time to submit the necessary document, he may, within 30 days after the date of this order, file a motion for an extension of time.
Plaintiff does not need to re-submit his trust account statement.
If Plaintiff timely submits the necessary document and the Court finds that he is indeed indigent, the Court will grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis and assess only a $350 filing fee in accordance with the installment procedures of § 1915(b). However, if Plaintiff fails to comply with this order in a timely manner the Court will deny leave to proceed in forma pauperis, assess the entire $400 filing fee from his inmate trust account without regard to the installment procedures, and dismiss the action without further notice for failure to prosecute, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b). McGore, 114 F.3d at 605.
Even a voluntary dismissal by Plaintiff will not eliminate the obligation to pay the filing fee. McGore, 114 F.3d at 607; see also In re Alea, 286 F.3d 378, 381 (6th Cir. 2002). --------
If Plaintiff is transferred to a different prison or released, he is ORDERED to notify the Court immediately, in writing, of his change of address. Failure to abide by this requirement may likewise result in the dismissal of this case without further notice, for failure to prosecute. IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ James D. Todd
JAMES D. TODD
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE