Robertson v. Williams et al, No. 2:2012cv00834 - Document 2 (D. Utah 2012)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER denying 1 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis. Failure to pay the entire $350 statutory filing fee within 30 days from the date of this order will result in the dismissal of the complaint. Signed by Judge David Nuffer on 8/31/12 (alt)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF UTAH ______________________________________________________________________________ | ROY DON ROBERTSON, | MEMORANDUM DECISION | AND ORDER Plaintiff, | vs. | Case No. 2:12-CV-834-DN | CAMMRON WILLIAMS et al., | District Judge David Nuffer | Defendants. | __________________________________________|___________________________________ Plaintiff/inmate, Roy Don Robertson, filed a civil rights complaint against Defendant Cammron Williams and others. Robertson applies to proceed in forma pauperis. As discussed 1 below, the Court concludes that Robertson must pay the filing fee before this case can proceed. The in forma pauperis statute allows an indigent prisoner to file a complaint in federal court without prepaying the filing fee. But, it restricts those who have repeatedly filed 2 complaints that are frivolous or fail to state a valid claim. In relevant part, the statute provides: In no event shall a prisoner bring a civil action . . . under this section if the prisoner has, on 3 or more prior occasions, while incarcerated or detained in any facility, brought an action or appeal in a court of the United States that was dismissed on the grounds that it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, unless the prisoner is under imminent danger of serious physical injury. 3 These fee provisions are intended to reduce frivolous prisoner litigation by making all prisoners seeking to bring lawsuits or appeals feel the deterrent effect created by liability for filing fees. 4 1 The court construes these pro se filings liberally. See Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). 2 28 U.S.C.S. § 1915(a) (2012). 3 Id. § 1915 (g). 4 Cosby v. Meadors, 351 F.3d 1324, 1327 (10th Cir. 2003) (quoting In re Smith, 114 F.3d 1247, 1249 (D.C.Cir. 1997)). This Court has, in the past, dismissed one of Robertson's cases because he had "filed several previous civil rights actions with the federal courts, several of which have been dismissed as frivolous or failing to state a claim."5 Section 1915(g) applies here because (1) Robertson was a prisoner when he filed this complaint; (2) he has filed three or more prior cases in federal court that have been dismissed as frivolous or failing to state a claim; and (3) his allegations do not fall within the exception to 1915(g). The language of section 1915(g) is mandatory. Thus, a federal prisoner who falls within the three-strikes provision is required to prepay the entire filing fee before his claims may proceed. ORDER Robertson is not eligible to proceed without prepaying the filing fee in this case because he has filed three or more cases in federal court which have been dismissed as frivolous or failing to state a claim. Therefore, Robertson is DENIED leave to proceed without prepayment of fees. He is ORDERED to pay the entire $350 statutory filing fee within thirty days from the date of this order. Failure to do so will result in the dismissal of the complaint. August31st, 2010. BY THE COURT: _____________________________ DAVID NUFFER United States District Judge 5 Robertson v. Johansen, No. 2:04-CV-465 TS (D. Utah July 16, 2004).

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