Charles v. Good Samaritan Hospital

Background

Johnnie Charles brought this action against Good Samaritan Hospital and others while incarcerated at Rockland County Correctional Facility. The opinion states that Charles is representing himself. He filed the complaint without paying the required filing fees and without submitting a completed application to proceed without prepaying fees or the required prisoner authorization.

Court’s order

The court explained that a prisoner filing a civil action must either pay $405 in fees—$350 for the filing fee and $55 for the administrative fee—or request permission to proceed without prepaying fees. To make that request, Charles had to submit a signed application and a prisoner authorization. The authorization would allow deductions from his prisoner account toward the $350 filing fee and would require submission of certified account statements for the previous six months. The opinion notes that the $55 administrative fee does not apply to a person granted this status.

Within 30 days of the order, Charles must either pay the $405 or submit the attached application and prisoner authorization, labeled with docket number 25-CV-4968 (LTS). The court stated that no answer was required at that time and that, if Charles complied, the case would be processed under the Clerk’s Office’s procedures. If he failed to comply within the allowed time, the action would be dismissed.

Appeal and scope of ruling

Judge Laura Taylor Swain certified that any appeal from the order would not be taken in good faith and denied permission to proceed without prepaying fees for purposes of an appeal. The order concerns filing requirements and does not decide the underlying claims against the defendants.