Opinion
Case No. 2:12-cv-01710-LDG-PAL
03-14-2014
GEORGE MARSHALL, Plaintiff, v. CAPTAIN R. SUEY, et al., Defendants.
ORDER
(Mtn to Extend Copywork - Dkt. #19)
This matter is before the court on Plaintiff George Marshall's Motion to Extend Prison Copywork Limit (Dkt. #19). The court has considered the Motion.
BACKGROUND
Plaintiff is proceeding in this action pro se. On April 5, 2013, the court approved Plaintiff's Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Dkt. #1), and after Plaintiff made an initial partial filing fee, the court screened Plaintiff's Amended Complaint (Dkt. #4), found he stated a claim for violation of his Fourteenth Amendment rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the Defendants in their official capacities, and directed service by the U.S. Marshal's Service ("USMS") on Defendants. The Clerk of Court issued Summons (Dkt. #8) on October 22, 2013. The USMS effected service on Defendants Suey, Siciliane, Flippe, Davis, Loumakis, Murphy, and Varner. See Summons Returned Executed (Dkt. ##9-15). These Defendants filed an Answer (Dkt. #16) on December 11, 2013. Most recently, the court entered an Order allowing Plaintiff to file a Second Amended Complaint. The court screened the Second Amended Complaint and found Plaintiff stated a Fourteenth Amendment claim for lack of outdoor exercise, a procedural due process claim under the Fourteenth Amendment, and a First Amendment retaliation claim.
DISCUSSION
Plaintiff represents that he is limited to a one hundred dollar debt against his account toward legal copywork, and once that limit is reached, he may not incur any further indebtedness. Exceptions to this rule require a court order. Plaintiff contends he needs additional copies to serve Defendants and for his own records.
Plaintiffs do not have a right to unlimited photocopying. Johnson v. Moore, 948 F.2d 517, 521 (9th Cir. 1991); Sands v. Lewis, 886 F.2d 1166, 1169 (9th Cir. 1989) (recognizing that "numerous courts have rejected any constitutional right to free and unlimited photocopying"). Courts can, however, order a prison to provide limited photocopying when it is necessary for an inmate to provide copies to the court and other parties. See, e.g., Allen v. Clark County Det'n Ctr., 2011 WL 886343 at *2 (D. Nev. Mar 11, 2011). In Allen, however, the plaintiff demonstrated a need to increase the copy work limit by providing a copy of his inmate account statement showing a negative balance, and the case was pending appeal before the Ninth Circuit. Id.
Here, Plaintiff has not shown a need for additional photocopying. He has not provided an inmate account statement or any other documentation showing he is unable to pay for additional copies. He has also not set forth any particular reason he needs additional copies except for his blanket statement that he needs to serve the court and opposing counsel with some unspecified papers.
Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion to Extend Prison Copywork Limit (Dkt. #19) is DENIED.
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PEGGY A. LEEN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE