Opinion
NO: 13-CV-0210-TOR
07-11-2013
ANTHONY BRIAN MALLGREN, Plaintiff, v. CLERK'S OFFICE, Defendant.
ORDER DISMISSING CASE
BEFORE THE COURT is Plaintiff's request to file a pro se complaint in forma pauperis. ECF No. 1 and 2.
DISCUSSION
By Local Rule, each United States Magistrate Judge in this District is delegated the authority to "[r]ule upon applications to proceed in forma pauperis, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915." LMR 1(a)(16). By Order dated June 6, 2013, a United States Magistrate Judge reviewed Plaintiff's application to proceed in forma pauperis and denied the same with leave to renew. ECF No. 3. The Order explained that Plaintiff provided an incomplete answer to question number 9, but allowed Plaintiff thirty days to submit a properly completed application (or pay the full filing fee). Id. Thirty days has passed. Plaintiff chose neither alternative, he filed a notice of appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals instead. ECF No. 4.
1. Continuing Jurisdiction of the District Court
A denial of a motion to proceed in forma pauperis is a final judgment that is immediately appealable pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. Roberts v. United States District Court, 339 U.S. 844 (1950) (per curiam). Under 28 U.S.C. § 636, a United States Magistrate may not enter a final judgment on a motion to proceed in forma pauperis absent referral by the District Court and consent of the parties (which is inapplicable here). See Tripati v. Rison, 847 F.2d 548-49 (9th Cir. 1988)(a magistrate has no authority to issue a dispositive order denying in forma pauperis status absent compliance with section 636(c)).
In this case, the Magistrate Judge granted Plaintiff leave to renew his application. Since Plaintiff was given leave to correct his deficiency (and the Magistrate Judge did not have the authority to enter an involuntary dismissal), the Magistrate's Order denying in forma pauperis status was not a final, appealable order. See Tripati v. Rison. This Court has not been divested of jurisdiction to proceed by reason of Plaintiff's ineffectual notice of appeal. "Where the deficiency in a notice of appeal, by reason of . . . reference to a non-appealable order, is clear to the district court, it may disregard the purported notice of appeal and proceed with the case, knowing that it has not been deprived of jurisdiction." Ruby v. Secretary of U. S. Navy, 365 F.2d 385, 389 (9th Cir. 1966)(en banc); see also Nascimento v. Dummer, 508 F.3d 905, 909-10 (9th Cir. 2007).
2. In Forma Pauperis Determination
Forma pauperis status requires two findings: (1) a finding of indigency, and (2) a finding that the underlying claim has some merit. Bradshaw v. Zoological Soc. of San Diego, 662 F.2d 1301, 1308 (9th Cir. 1981). Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B), notwithstanding any filing fee, or any portion thereof, that may have been paid, the court shall dismiss the case at any time if the court determines that the action or appeal (i) is frivolous or malicious or (ii) fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.
A complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted if it lacks a cognizable legal theory or lacks sufficient facts to support a cognizable legal theory. Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dept., 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990). Plaintiff's Complaint does not state a cognizable legal theory, i.e., short plain statements showing the court's jurisdiction and the grounds for relief. See Fed. Rule Civ. Pro. 8(a).
Plaintiff complains that he tried to file what is purportedly a marriage dissolution petition in the Spokane County Superior Court but the Clerk rejected the paperwork. Plaintiff apparently sought to have the court waive the civil filing fees, but neither a judge nor the Clerk's office would accept the motion. He also complains that after being held in the court for an undue amount of time, he found a parking ticket upon the automobile being used for his conveyance. Plaintiff asserts federal question jurisdiction for violations of "Due Process Clause and Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment in regards to the freedom to practice religion." He seeks specific performance of the Clerk's Office to accept papers, injunctive relief, and damages for the parking ticket he received.
Plaintiff failed to avail himself of the opportunity to amend his application to provide complete information, nor has he paid the filing fee within thirty days.
The Court recognizes that Plaintiff has filed at least 29 cases in the United States District Courts and 12 cases in the Circuit Courts of Appeal, this year. This case is one of eight actions which have been filed in this District since May 10, 2013. Eastern District of Washington case numbers 13-CV-0175-LRS, 13-CV-0180-TOR, 13-CV-0182-TOR, 13-CV-0210-TOR, 13-CV-0218-TOR, 13-CV-0228-TOR, 13-CV-0232-TOR, and 13-CV-0234-TOR. The first three in this list have been dismissed by the District Court for failure to state a claim.
Plaintiff is advised that the filing of further frivolous actions will result in the imposition of more serious sanctions than dismissal.
ACCORDINGLY, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
1. Plaintiff's Application to Proceed in the District Court In Forma Pauperis, ECF No. 2, is DENIED.
2. Plaintiff's proposed Complaint, ECF No. 1, is DISMISSED.
The District Court Executive is hereby directed to enter this Order, a Judgment of Dismissal, furnish copies to Plaintiff at his last known address, and CLOSE the file.
THOMAS O. RICE
United States District Judge