FOURSTAR v. WILLIAMS FCI CO (2021)

Victor Charles Fourstar, Jr., appeals the district court's denial of his in forma pauperis application. His underlying claim is for compassionate release under 28 U.S.C. § 2241. The claim is based primarily on the alleged understaffing of prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic. The district court denied Fourstar's IFP motion because it found that Fourstar did have the funds to pay the five-dollar filing fee. Fourstar appealed that decision on March 19, 2021.¹ But on March 30, 2021, Fourstar paid the filing fee. Because Fourstar paid the filing fee, this particular denial of IFP status is not reviewable on collateral appeal. Thus, we have no jurisdiction and must dismiss his appeal.

The denial of an in forma pauperis application is usually one of the small class of decisions that may be appealed before the district court issues a final judgment. See Lister v. Dep't Treasury, 408 F.3d 1309, 1311 (10th Cir. 2005) (citing Cohen v. Beneficial Indus. Loan Corp., 337 U.S. 541, 69 S.Ct. 1221, 93 L.Ed. 1528 (1949)). But we have appellate jurisdiction over an IFP denial only if the denial effectively bars further litigation. Cohen, 337 U.S. at 546, 69 S.Ct. 1221 (interpreting 28 U.S.C. § 1291). To be reviewable, a collateral order must “render impossible any review whatsoever.” Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. v. Risjord, 449 U.S. 368, 376, 101 S.Ct. 669, 66 L.Ed.2d 571 (1981). Where a petitioner pays his filing fee, the denial of his IFP motion does not bar further litigation. The petitioner will have the opportunity to contest the IFP denial after a final judgment is issued. Thus, the denial is not a final, appealable order under Cohen. Here, since Fourstar paid his filing fee, we lack subject matter jurisdiction to hear his appeal.

We therefore dismiss this appeal for lack of jurisdiction and remand for further proceedings in the district court.

FOOTNOTES

1.   Fourstar's brief does not actually address the denial of his IFP motion. Because Fourstar did not advance a “reasoned, nonfrivolous argument on the law and facts” regarding the district court's denial of his IFP motion, his motion to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal is also denied. See Lister v. Dep't Treasury, 408 F.3d 1309, 1310 (10th Cir. 2005).

TYMKOVICH, Chief Judge.