Robert E. Cotner, Petitioner-appellant, v. Michael Cody, Warden; and Attorney General of the State Ofoklahoma, Respondents-appellees, 16 F.3d 415 (10th Cir. 1994)

ORDER AND JUDGMENT¹ 

MOORE

After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a); 10th Cir.R. 34.1.9. The cause is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

Robert E. Cotner is another of the prodigious pro se filers who regularly inundate this and the federal district courts with repetitive and largely frivolous filings. See Cotner v. Hopkins, 795 F.2d 900, 902 (10th Cir. 1986). The appeal with which we deal²  is whether the District Court of the Northern District of Oklahoma properly restricted Mr. Cotner from filing further pleadings in this case. That order allowed Cotner to file only in response to a motion by the respondent or upon order of the court.

" [T]he right of access to the courts is neither absolute nor unconditional, and there is no constitutional right of access to the courts to prosecute an action that is frivolous or malicious." Tripati v. Beaman, 878 F.2d 351, 353, (10th Cir. 1989) (citations omitted). " [I]njunctions are proper where the litigant's abusive and lengthy history is properly set forth." Id. In this case, the district court's order does not contain the ordinarily required recitation of frivolous filings, id., but Mr. Cotner's litigious proclivities are so well known we cannot hold the district court was at fault.

The issue is not whether the order was properly grounded, but whether it is sufficiently detailed so it is not unduly restrictive on petitioner's right of access. "Concomitant with the restrictions available to the district court, however, there must be some guidelines as to what plaintiff must do to obtain the court's permission to file an action." Id. at 354. It is proper, under the correct circumstances, for a district court to entirely enjoin the filing of further pro se pleadings in a given case. Castro v. United States, 775 F.2d 399, 402 (1st Cir. 1985). Here, however, the injunction was not absolute.

Petitioner has been given the right to file responsive pleadings or those ordered by the court. The court, however, did not give petitioner any guidance about how such an order can be obtained.

For that reason, the matter is REMANDED for amendment of its injunctive order explaining how petitioner can obtain an order of court permitting him to file a pleading in this case. In all other respects, the order of the district court is AFFIRMED.