Opinion
No. 3:10-mc-00099.
September 2, 2010
ORDER
The plaintiff brings this pro se action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the Medical Department of the Davidson County Jail. (Docket No. 1). The plaintiff has submitted an application to proceed in forma pauperis. (Docket No. 6).
It appears from the plaintiff's application that he cannot afford to pay the filing fee. Therefore, the Clerk will FILE the complaint in forma pauperis. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(a), (b)(4).
The plaintiff is herewith assessed the three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00) civil filing fee. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(b)(1)(A) and (B), the custodian of the plaintiff's inmate trust fund account at the institution where he now resides is directed to submit to the Clerk of Court, as an initial payment, whichever is greater:
(a) twenty percent (20%) of the average monthly deposits to the plaintiff's inmate trust fund account; or
(b) twenty percent (20%) of the average monthly balance in the plaintiff's inmate trust fund account for the prior six (6) months.
Thereafter, the custodian shall submit twenty percent (20%) of the plaintiff's preceding monthly income, or income credited to the plaintiff's inmate trust fund account for the preceding month, but only when his monthly income exceeds ten dollars ($10.00). 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2). Payments shall continue until the $350.00 filing fee has been paid in full to the Clerk of Court. Id.
Because the plaintiff is a prisoner, the court is obliged to conduct a preliminary review of his complaint to determine whether it is frivolous or fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A.
As provided in the accompanying memorandum, the complaint is DISMISSED for failure to state a claim on which relief may be granted. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. Because an appeal would NOT be taken in good faith, the plaintiff is NOT certified to pursue an appeal from this judgment in forma pauperis. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3). Nevertheless, should the plaintiff decide to file a notice of appeal, he either must pay the Clerk of Court the full four hundred fifty-five dollar ($455.00) appellate filing fee, or submit an application to proceed in forma pauperis with a certified copy of his inmate trust account statement for the previous six (6) month period. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915(a)(1) (a)(2).
The Clerk is DIRECTED to send a copy of this order to the Davidson County Sheriff to ensure that the custodian of the plaintiff's inmate trust fund account complies with the portion of the Prison Litigation Reform Act that pertains to the payment of filing fees. Should the plaintiff be transferred from his present place of confinement, the custodian of his inmate trust fund account shall ensure that a copy of this order follows the plaintiff to his new place of confinement. All payments made pursuant to this order shall be forwarded to the Clerk of Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.
It is so ORDERED.