LeDeatte v. Horizon Media

Background

Raven LeDeatte brought this action pro se, meaning without a lawyer. The complaint was submitted without the required filing fees and without an application to proceed without prepayment of fees.

Order

The court explained that a civil action requires payment of $400: a $350 filing fee and a $50 administrative fee. Alternatively, a plaintiff may submit a signed application under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 asking to proceed without paying the fees in advance. The court ordered LeDeatte, within 30 days of the order, to either pay the $400 or submit the attached application labeled with docket number 20-CV-10752.

If the court grants the application, LeDeatte may proceed without prepaying the fees. The Clerk of Court was directed to mail the order to LeDeatte and note service on the docket. The court stated that no summons would issue at that time and that the case would be processed under the Clerk’s procedures if LeDeatte complied. If LeDeatte failed to comply within the allowed period, the action would be dismissed.

Appeal and Disposition

Judge Colleen McMahon certified under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) that any appeal from the order would not be taken in good faith. The order therefore denied permission to appeal without prepayment of fees. This order addressed filing fees and permission to proceed without prepayment; it did not decide the underlying claims against Horizon Media.