Summary
denying plaintiff's IFP motion even though he established he was unable to pay the filing fee because his application did not include the issues he intended to pursue on appeal
Summary of this case from Bateman v. Nexstar Media Grp.Opinion
No. CIV 16-0764 JB/WPL
12-16-2016
KHALID MOHAMMAD, Plaintiff, v. ALBUQUERQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT; THE METROPOLITAN COURT and METROPOLITAN DENTENTION CENTER, Defendants.
Parties and Counsel: Khalid Mohammad Albuquerque, New Mexico Plaintiff, pro se Allison M. Beaulieu City of Albuquerque Albuquerque, New Mexico Attorney for Defendant Albuquerque Police Department Michael Dickman Law Office of Michael Dickman Santa Fe, New Mexico Attorney for Defendant Metropolitan Court Carlos M. Quinones Quinones Law Firm Santa Fe, New Mexico Attorney for Defendant Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR LEAVE TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS ON APPEAL
THIS MATTER comes before the Court on Plaintiff's Motion to Proceed on Appeal Without Prepayment of Costs or Fees (non-PLRA), filed November 15, 2016 (Doc. 31)("Motion"). Plaintiff Khalid Mohammad filed claims against Defendants Albuquerque, New Mexico Police Department; the Albuquerque, New Mexico Metropolitan Court; and the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the New Mexico Tort Claims Act, NMSA § 41-4-12, and the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. See Amended Complaint Pursuant to § 41-13-1 through § 41-13-3 NMSA 1978 ¶¶ 1-57, at 1-17, filed July 1, 2016 (Doc. 1-2)("Complaint"). All three entities filed motions to dismiss. See Defendant Metropolitan Detention Center's Motion to Dismiss and Supporting Memorandum, filed July 6, 2016 (Doc. 12); Defendant Albuquerque Police Department's (Non-Suable Entity) Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint with Prejudice, and Memorandum to Support, filed July 6, 2016 (Doc. 13); Metropolitan Court's Motion to Dismiss, filed July 8, 2016 (Doc. 14). On September 16, 2016, the Court granted the motions to dismiss and allowed Mohammad twenty-one days to file an amended complaint. See Memorandum Opinion and Order, filed September 16, 2016 (Doc. 28)("MOO"). Mohammad did not file an amended complaint. The Court entered Final Judgment on October 31, 2016, and dismissed the case without prejudice. See Final Judgment, filed October 31, 2016 (Doc. 29).
"In order to succeed on [a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal], an appellant must show a financial inability to pay the required filing fees and the existence of a reasoned, nonfrivolous argument on the law and facts in support of the issues raised on appeal." DeBardeleben v. Quinlan, 937 F.2d 502, 505 (10th Cir. 1991). "An appeal may not be taken [IFP] if the trial court certifies in writing that it is not taken in good faith." 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3). "The Supreme Court has held that good faith is to be judged by an objective standard, for review of any issue 'not frivolous.'" Spearman v. Collins, 500 F. App'x 742, 743 (10th Cir. 2012)(quoting Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438, 445 (1962)). "An appeal is frivolous when the result is obvious, or the appellant's arguments of error are wholly without merit." Spearman v. Collins, 500 F. App'x at 743 (quotation omitted). See also Thompson v. Gibson, 289 F.3d 1218, 1222 (10th Cir. 2002)(noting that an appeal is frivolous if it "lacks an arguable basis in either law or fact").
Mohammad's financial affidavit shows that he is unable to pay the filing fee. See Motion at 2-10. Mohammad did not, however, fill out the portion of the IFP application that provides space to identify "issues on appeal." See Motion at 2. Because Mohammad made no statement of issues on appeal, he has not identified any argument of error regarding the Court's dismissal of his claims. He does not summarize facts, restate causes of action, or make any attempt at isolating reviewable issues. Accordingly, the Court concludes that Mohammad's appeal is not taken in good faith and therefore denies his Motion.
IT IS ORDERED that the Plaintiff's Motion to Proceed on Appeal Without Prepayment of Costs or Fees (non-PLRA), filed November 15, 2016 (Doc. 31), is denied.
/s/_________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE Parties and Counsel: Khalid Mohammad
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Plaintiff, pro se Allison M. Beaulieu
City of Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Attorney for Defendant Albuquerque Police Department Michael Dickman
Law Office of Michael Dickman
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Attorney for Defendant Metropolitan Court Carlos M. Quinones
Quinones Law Firm
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Attorney for Defendant Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center