Chester v. United States Department of State

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT TACOMA JASON PAUL CHESTER, CASE NO. 3:23-cv-05367-DGE Plaintiff, ORDER ON REFERRAL (DKT. NO. 12 v. 70) 13 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE et al., Defendants.

This matter comes before the Court as a referral notice filed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit filed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1915(a)(3) for the limited purpose of determining whether Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis status should continue for his appeal or whether the appeal is frivolous or taken in bad faith. (Dkt. No. 70.)

An appeal is taken in “good faith” where it seeks review of at least one issue or claim that is found to be “non-frivolous.” Hooker v. American Airlines, 302 F.3d 1091, 1092 (9th Cir. 2002). An issue is “frivolous” where it “lacks an arguable basis either in law or in fact.” Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989).

1 The Court concludes Plaintiff’s appeal is frivolous because it lacks an arguable basis in law. For the reasons articulated in the order on the motion to dismiss (Dkt. No. 66) and as demonstrated in the record, Plaintiff’s claims are either moot or fail to state a claim.

4 Accordingly, Plaintiff’s in forma pauperis status should NOT continue on appeal.

5 The Clerk shall send a copy of this order to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

7 IT IS SO ORDERED.

8 DATED this 27th day of June 2024.

A 10 David G. Estudillo United States District Judge