Richardson v. McKinney

ELIZABETH S. ("BETSY") CHESTNEY UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

ORDER

Before the Court is the Application for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis [#2] filed by the plaintiff, Stephen Wayne Richardson ("Plaintiff"), in his prisoner civil rights case under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff is currently incarcerated at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Correctional Institutions Division ("TDCJ-CID"). After review of Plaintiff's IFP application, the Court has determined that his request to proceed IFP [#2] is GRANTED.

The United States Clerk of Court ("the U.S. Clerk") is directed to file Plaintiff's Complaint [#1] without prepayment of fees, costs, or security, and also to mail a copy of this Order to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Commissary and Trust Fund Department, P.O. Box 629, Huntsville, Texas 77342-0629.

Even though Plaintiff is not required to prepay his filing fees, a prisoner who brings a civil lawsuit IFP is subject to paying an initial partial filing fee, and then paying monthly installments until the total $350.00 filing fee is paid in full. These payments will be automatically processed by Plaintiff's custodial institution.

The Court is required to "assess and, when funds exist, collect," an initial partial filing fee of "20 percent of the greater of the average monthly deposits to the prisoner's account; or the average monthly balance in the prisoner's account for the 6-month period immediately preceding the filing of the complaint." See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1)(A)(B).

In this case, the Court has assessed that Plaintiff must pay an initial partial filing fee of $9.50. TDCJ-CID must deduct this sum from Plaintiff's institutional trust fund account and forward it to the U.S. Clerk, 655 E. César E. Chávez Boulevard, Room G65, San Antonio, Texas, 78206, referencing the case number in the style of this Order. If these funds are not immediately available, TDCJ-CID must place a hold on Plaintiff's account in the amount of $9.50, and forward the funds to the U.S. Clerk when available.

"After payment of the initial partial filing fee, the prisoner shall be required to make monthly payments of 20 percent of the preceding month's income credited to the prisoner's account. The agency having custody of the prisoner shall forward payments from the prisoner's account to the clerk of court each time the amount in the account exceeds $10 until the filing fees are paid." 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2). Thus, TDCJ-CID must forward funds to the Court in accordance with this provision to the address and with the information that is explained in the previous paragraph.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

SIGNED this 3rd day of June, 2019.

/s/_________

ELIZABETH S. ("BETSY") CHESTNEY

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE