Lewis v. Secretary, Department of Corrections (Pinellas County)

United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Lewis v. Secretary, Department of Corrections (Pinellas County)

Trial Court Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA TAMPA DIVISION

RODERICK BERNARD LEWIS,

Petitioner,

v. Case No. 8:20-cv-2255-WFJ-AAS

SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS,

Respondent. /

O R D E R

Mr. Lewis moves for a certificate of appealability (COA) (Doc. 9) and to proceed on appeal in forma pauperis (Doc. 11). A COA is not required to appeal because Mr. Lewis’ Section 2254 habeas petition was dismissed as an unauthorized second or successive petition (see Doc. 6). See Hutto v. Lawrence Cty., Alabama,

717 F. App’x 960

(11th Cir. 2018) (“A certificate of appealability (COA), typically required for appeals from a final order of a habeas proceeding, is not required for an appeal of an order dismissing a petitioner’s filing as a successive habeas petition.”) (citing

28 U.S.C. § 2253

(c); Hubbard v. Campbell,

379 F.3d 1245, 1247

(11th Cir. 2004) (per curiam)). And Mr. Lewis may not proceed on appeal in forma pauperis because he has $2,102.19 in his prison bank account and no dependents (Doc. 11, pp. 2, 5). See Martinez v. Kristi Kleaners, Inc.,

364 F.3d 1305, 1307

(11th Cir. 2004) (an applicant must show he “is unable to pay for the court fees and costs, and to support and

1 provide necessities for himself and his dependents.”). Accordingly, Mr. Lewis’ motion for a COA (Doc. 9) and motion to proceed on appeal in forma pauperis (Doc. 11) are DENIED. ORDERED in Tampa, Florida, on August 4, 2021.

WILLIAM F. ca UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Copy to: Roderick B. Lewis, pro se

Reference

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