Edwards v. Rikers Island DOC

Background

Amad Edwards, who is detained at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center on Rikers Island, filed this action without a lawyer. The opinion does not address the substance of his claims against Rikers Island DOC or Bob Barker Authorization Company Inc.

Payment or application requirement

The court explained that a prisoner filing a civil action must either pay $405 in fees—a $350 filing fee and a $55 administrative fee—or request permission to proceed without prepaying fees. To make that request, Edwards had to submit a signed application and a prisoner authorization. The authorization would allow the $350 filing fee to be collected in installments from his account and would require certified account statements for the preceding six months.

Edwards submitted his complaint without the fees, a completed application, or a prisoner authorization. The court ordered him, within 30 days of the order, to either pay $405 or submit the required forms labeled with docket number 25-CV-7078 (LTS).

Ruling

The court directed Edwards to pay the fees or submit the required application and authorization. No summons would issue at that time. If Edwards complied, the case would be processed under the Clerk’s Office procedures; if he failed to comply within the allowed time, the action would be dismissed. The court also certified that an appeal from the order would not be taken in good faith and denied permission to proceed without prepaying fees for an appeal. The order did not rule on the merits of Edwards’s claims.