Booth v. City of Watertown ( 2023 )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK _____________________________________________ PATRICK M. BOOTH, Plaintiff, v. CITY OF WATERTOWN; WATERTOWN 5:22-CV-1011 POLICE DEP’T; DUSTIN C. SHAWCROSS, (BKS/ML) Police Officer; PEARCE A. PARSONS, Police Officer; DAVID PAULSON, County Attorney; CHARLES DONOGHUE, Chief of City Police, Defendants. _____________________________________________ APPEARANCES: OF COUNSEL: PATRICK M. BOOTH Plaintiff, Pro Se Elmira Correctional Facility Post Office Box 500 Elmira, New York 14902 (last known address) MIROSLAV LOVRIC, United States Magistrate Judge ORDER and REPORT-RECOMMENDATION Plaintiff Patrick M. Booth (“Plaintiff”), who is proceeding pro se, has commenced this action against the City of Watertown, Watertown Police Department, Dustin Shawcross, Pearce A. Parsons, David Paulson, and Charles Donohue (collectively “Defendants”). (Dkt. No. 1.) Despite ample notice of the requirement that he either pay a statutory filing fee or submit a properly supported application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, he has failed to do either. Plaintiff has also filed a motion for appointment of counsel (Dkt. No. 5) and a letter request to place a lien on Defendants Shawcross and Parsons (Dkt. No. 6). For the reasons set forth below, I (1) deny Plaintiff’s motion for appointment of counsel (Dkt. No. 5), and (2) recommend that (a) Plaintiff’s Complaint (Dkt. No. 1) be dismissed, and (b) Plaintiff’s letter request (Dkt. No. 6) for a lien on Defendants Shawcross and Parsons be denied. I. INTRODUCTION Plaintiff commenced this civil rights action pro se on September 26, 2022, asserting claims arising from an interaction he had with members of the Watertown Police Department on June 24, 2022. (Dkt. No. 1.) On September 28, 2022, Plaintiff filed a letter request to place a lien on Defendants Shawcross and Parsons and notifying the Court of his address upon release on or about December 29, 2022. (Dkt. No. 6.) On February 7, 2023, the undersigned issued an order denying Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis application directing that, within thirty days, Plaintiff either (1) pay the $402.00 filing fee, or (2) submit a renewed IFP long form application detailing his post-release financial condition. (Dkt. No. 8.) The Court’s order of February 7, 2023, was served via regular mail at both (1) Plaintiff’s address of record: Elmira Correctional Facility, and (2) the address provided in Plaintiff’s Letter Request (Dkt. No. 6): 26464 Route 180, Dexter, New York 13634. (Dkt. No. 8.) Despite the passage of more than thirty days since the issuance of the Court’s order dated February 7, 2023, Plaintiff has taken no further action in this case. (See generally docket sheet.) II. DISCUSSION When a civil action is commenced in a federal district court, the statutory filing fee, currently set at $402, must ordinarily be paid. 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). A court is authorized, however, to grant IFP status if it determines that the plaintiff is unable to pay the required fee. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1).1 Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, where a plaintiff seeks leave to proceed IFP, the court must determine whether the plaintiff has demonstrated sufficient economic need to proceed without prepaying the required filing fee. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1). In this instance, due to Plaintiff’s failure to provide any information concerning his current finances, the Court is unable to make any meaningful assessment of his financial status and determine whether he qualifies for leave to proceed without prepayment of fees. Having failed to comply with this Court’s order dated February 7, 2023, I now recommend that Plaintiff’s Complaint be dismissed for failure to pay the required filing fee or to obtain leave to proceed IFP. See, e.g., Walker v. Vill. Ct., 17-CV-0390, 2017 WL 4220415, at *2 (N.D.N.Y. Aug. 4, 2017) (Peebles, M.J.) (citing Waters v. Camacho, 288 F.R.D. 70, 71 (S.D.N.Y. 2013)) (recommending dismissal of the plaintiff’s complaint where he failed to either pay the required filing fee or demonstrate that he qualifies for leave to proceed without prepayment of fees), report and recommendation adopted by, 2017 WL 4221069 (N.D.N.Y. Sept. 20, 2017) (Hurd, J.). III. PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL AND THAT A LIEN BE PLACED ON DEFENDANTS As an initial matter, “[a] party has no constitutionally guaranteed right to the assistance of counsel in a civil case.” Lefridge v. Connecticut State Trooper Officer No. 1283, 640 F.3d 62, 68 (2d Cir. 2011) (citation omitted). Furthermore, there is no bright-line test determining whether 1 The language of that section is ambiguous because it suggests an intent to limit availability of IFP status to prison inmates. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1) (authorizing the commencement of an action without prepayment of fees “by a person who submits an affidavit that includes a statement of all assets such prisoner possesses”). The courts have construed that section, however, as making IFP status available to any litigant who can meet the governing financial criteria. Hayes v. United States, 71 Fed. Cl. 366, 367 (Fed. Cl. 2006); see also Fridman v. City of N.Y., 195 F. Supp. 2d 534, 536 n.1 (S.D.N.Y. 2002). counsel should be appointed on behalf of an indigent party. Hendricks v. Coughlin, 114 F.3d 390, 392-393 (2d Cir. 1997). Rather, the court must carefully consider a number of factors, including whether the indigent’s claims seem likely to be of substance. See Leftridge, 640 F.3d at 69 (stating that “[t]he court properly denies the plaintiff’s motion for counsel if it concludes that his chances of success are highly dubious.”) (citations omitted). Because I have recommended dismissal of the instant matter, it cannot be said that Plaintiff’s claims are likely to be of substance; therefore, the motion for appointment of counsel (Dkt. No. 5) must be denied. Moreover, Plaintiff cites no authority for his request that a “lien” be placed on Defendants Shawcross and Parsons. As a result, I recommend that Plaintiff’s Letter Request (Dkt. No. 6) be denied. ACCORDINGLY, it is respectfully ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion for Appointment of Counsel (Dkt. No. 5) is DENIED without prejudice; and it is further respectfully RECOMMENDED that Plaintiff’s Complaint (Dkt. No. 1) be DISMISSED without prejudice; and it is further respectfully RECOMMENDED that Plaintiff’s Letter Request (Dkt. No. 6) be DENIED; and it is further ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court shall file a copy of this report and recommendation on the docket of this case and serve a copy upon the parties in accordance with the local rules.2 2 The Clerk shall also provide Plaintiff with copies of all unreported decisions cited herein in accordance with Lebron v. Sanders, 557 F.3d 76 (2d Cir. 2009) (per curiam). NOTICE: Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1), the parties have fourteen days within which to file written objections to the foregoing report.?> Such objections shall be filed with the Clerk of the Court. FAILURE TO OBJECT TO THIS REPORT WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS WILL PRECLUDE APPELLATE REVIEW. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) (Supp. 2013); Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(a), 6(d), 72; Roldan v. Racette, 984 F.2d 85 (2d Cir. 1993) (citing Small v. Sec’y of Health and Human Servs., 892 F.2d 15 (2d Cir. 1989)). Dated: March 14, 2023 Binghamton, New York Miroslav Lovric U.S. Magistrate Judge 3 If you are proceeding pro se and served with this report, recommendation, and order by mail, three additional days will be added to the fourteen-day period, meaning that you have seventeen days from the date that the report, recommendation, and order was mailed to you to serve and file objections. Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(d). Ifthe last day of that prescribed period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, then the deadline is extended until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(a)(1)(C). were referred to me for review. Based upon that review, I 2017 WL 4220415 issued an order on May 10, 2017, denying plaintiff's IFP Only the Westlaw citation is currently available. application, without prejudice, and requiring plaintiff to either United States District Court, N.D. New York. pay the statutory filing fee of $400.00 or submit a proper application for leave to proceed without prepayment of fees Alfred Marion WALKER, Plaintiff, on or before June 2, 2107. Dkt. No. 6. Despite the passage of v. that deadline, plaintiff has taken no further action in this case. VILLAGE COURT, et al., Defendants. Civil Action No. 3:17-CV-0390 (DNH/DEP) I. DISCUSSION | Upon commencement of an action in a federal district court, Signed 08/04/2017 the statutory filing fee, currently set at $400, must ordinarily be paid. 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). A court is authorized, however, Attorneys and Law Firms to permit a litigant to proceed IFP if it determines that he is ALFRED MARION WALKER, c/o 60 Saratoga Avenue, unable to pay the required filing fee. Palos ULS.C. § 1915(a) Apartment 114, Binghamton, NY 13901, Pro se. (1). ! Notwithstanding the reference in the document's title to REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION “Application for In Forma pauperis,” plamtiff's most recent submission fails to contain any information concerning his David E. Peebles, U.S. Magistrate Judge financial status. See generally Dkt. No. 4. Instead, plaintiff insists that courts lack the authority to require payment of *1 Plaintiff Alfred Marion Walker, who is proceeding pro se, has commenced this action against the State of New filing fees for court access, citing P2crandall ». State of York and various agencies and individuals associated with Nevada, 73 U.S. 35 (1867). Id. at 2. That case, however, does Broome County and/or the City of Endicott, New York. not so hold, and Congress has specifically authorized district Despite ample notice of the requirement that he either pay a courts to require payment of filing fees in order to commence statutory filing fee or submit a properly supported application actions. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a) (The clerk of each district for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, he has failed to do court shall require the parties instituting any civil action ... to either. Accordingly, recommend that plaintiff's complaint be pay a filing fee[.]” (emphasis added)). As was noted above, dismissed. district courts do retain the discretion, upon a proper showing, to excuse the payment of the filing fee and grant IFP status to a plaintiff. Paz: US.C. § 1915(a)(1); see Fridman, 195 I. BACKGROUND F. Supp. 2d at 536 & n.1. In this instance, however, due Plaintiff commenced this action on April 6, 2017. Dkt. No. 1. to plaintiff's failure to provide any information concerning Plaintiff's complaint names the State of New York and sixteen his finances, the court is unable to make any meaningful other defendants of varying descriptions as defendants, and assessment of his financial status and determine whether he sets forth five enumerated causes of action for trespass or qualifies for leave to proceed without prepayment of fees. “trespass on the case.” See generally id. Upon receiving plaintiff's complaint, District Judge David N. Hurd issued *2 Having failed to comply with this court's May 10, an order on April 11, 2017, directing administrative closure 2017 order, I now recommend that plaintiff's complaint be of the case in light of plaintiff's failure to pay the requisite dismissed for failure to pay the required filing fee or to obtain statutory filing fee or file an application to proceed in the leave to proceed IFP. See, e.g., Waters v. Camacho, 288 F.R.D. action in forma pauperis (“IFP”). Dkt. No. 3. 70, 71 (S.D.N.Y. 2013). Plaintiff thereafter submitted to the court a document entitled “Writ Re: Amended Action And Application for In forma I. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION pauperis” and “Writ of Error Qua Corum Nobis Residant.” Despite being placed on notice of the court's requirements, Dkt. No. 4. That document, as well as plaintiff's complaint, _ plaintiff has failed to either pay the required filing fee in this case or to demonstrate that he qualifies for leave to proceed =APPELLATE REVIEW. Paz. U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. ith f fees. A ingly, it is h . without prepayment of fees. Accordingly, it is hereby Civ. P. 6(a), 6(d), 72: Pu Roldan v. Racette, 984 F.2d 85 (2d ae, Cir. 1993). RECOMMENDED that plaintiff's complaint in this action be DISMISSED without prejudice. It is hereby ORDERED that the clerk of the court serve a copy of this report and recommendation upon the parties in NOTICE: Pursuant to Pala, U.S.C. § 636(b)(1), the parties accordance with this court's local rules. may lodge written objections to the foregoing report. Such objections must be filed with the clerk of the court within FOURTEEN days of service of this report? FAILURE “ll Citations TO SO OBJECT TO THIS REPORT WILL PRECLUDE Not Reported in Fed. Supp., 2017 WL 4220415 Footnotes 1 The language of that section is ambiguous, in that it suggests an intent to limit availability of IFP status to prison inmates. See Pllog U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1) (authorizing the commencement of an action without prepayment of fees “by a person who submits an affidavit that includes a statement of all assets such prisoner possesses”). Courts have construed that section, however, as making IFP status available to any litigant who can meet the governing financial criteria. Hayes v. United States, 71 Fed. Cl. 366, 367 (Fed. Cl. 2006); see also Fridman v. City of N.Y., 195 F. Supp. 2d 534, 536 n.1 (S.D.N.Y. 2002). 2 If you are proceeding pro se and are served with this report and recommendation by mail, three additional days will be added to the fourteen-day period, meaning that you have seventeen days from the date the report and recommendation was mailed to you to serve and file objections. Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(d). If the last day of that prescribed period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, then the deadline is extended until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(a)(1)(C). End of Document © 2023 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. *1 Pro se plaintiff Alfred Marion Walker brought this action 2017 WL 4221069 against various state and local agencies and employees. On Only the Westlaw citation is currently available. August 4, 2017, the Honorable David E. Peebles, United United States District Court, N.D. New York. States Magistrate Judge, advised by Report-Recommendation that plaintiffs complaint be dismissed for failing to pay Alfred Marion WALKER, Plaintiff, either a statutory filing fee or submit a properly supported v. application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, despite Village COURT; the State of New York; Village of multiple opportunities to do so and advisement of same. No Endicott; Endicott Police Department; Officer Dunham objections to the Report-Recommendation have been filed. Badge # 470; Officer J Wanka, Badge # 478; Captain . . Collins: Tudee Alf Ortega: David Stokes: K Based upon a careful review of the entire file and the OMIDSs TURES EONS MITE As MI ANIE SORES, NATED recommendations of the Magistrate Judge, the Report- Micalizzi Tautero; C.O. Zachary Moor; Sgt Bixby, C.O.; C.O. Rick Borchardt: C.O. Dennis Rowd: C.O. Sean Bell: Recommendation is accepted in whole. See Plog US.C. § Broome County Jail; and Broome County, Defendants. 636(b)(1). 3:17-CV-390 (DNH/DEP) Therefore, it is Signed 09/20/2017 ORDERED that Attorneys and Law Firms 1. This action is DISMISSED without prejudice; and ALFRED MARION WALKER, c/o 60 Saratoga Avenue, 2. The Clerk is directed to enter judgment accordingly and Apartment 114, Binghamton, NY 13901, Plaintiff pro se. close the file. IT IS SO ORDERED. DECISION and ORDER DAVID N. HURD, United States District Judge All Citations Not Reported in Fed. Supp., 2017 WL 4221069 End of Document © 2023 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.