The opinion
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA, NORTHERN DIVISION
MITCHELL BERNARD JOHNSON, )
)
Petitioner, )
) CIVIL ACTION NO.
v. ) 2:23cv560-MHT
) (WO)
PHYLLIS MORGAN, Warden, )
)
Respondent. )
ORDER
This cause is now before the court on the
petitioner's notice of appeal (Doc. 16) and his motion
to proceed on appeal in forma pauperis (Doc. 17).
28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) provides that “[a]n appeal
may not be taken in forma pauperis if the trial court
certifies in writing that it is not taken in good
faith.” In making this determination as to good faith,
a court must use an objective standard, such as whether
the appeal is “frivolous,” Coppedge v. United States,
369 U.S. 438, 445 (1962), or “has no substantive
merit.” United States v. Bottoson, 644 F.2d 1174, 1176
(5th Cir. Unit B May 15, 1981) (per curiam); see also
(per curiam); Morris v. Ross, 663 F.2d 1032 (11th Cir.
1981). Applying this standard, this court is of the
opinion that the petitioner's appeal is without a legal
or factual basis for the reasons stated in the
recommendation of the magistrate judge (Doc. 11) and,
accordingly, is frivolous and not taken in good faith.
See, e.g., Rudolph v. Allen, supra; Brown v. Pena, 441
F. Supp. 1382 (S.D. Fla. 1977), aff'd without opinion,
589 F.2d 1113 (5th Cir. 1979).
***
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that the petitioner's
motion to proceed on appeal in forma pauperis is
denied; and that the appeal in this cause is certified,
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3), as not taken in
good faith.
DONE, this the 31st day of July, 2024.
/s/ Myron H. Thompson
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE