In Re Andrew Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076 (8th Cir. 1989). · Go Syfert
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In Re Andrew Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076 (8th Cir. 1989). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
28 citation events (1 in the last 25 years) across 9 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: In Re: Anthony McQueen v. (ca4, 2015-07-01)
Treatment trajectory · 1989 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1989 2007 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 19 distinct citers. How cited ↗
cited Cited as authority (rule) In Re: Anthony McQueen v.
4th Cir. · 2015 · confidence medium
Johnson v. Rogers, 917 F.2d 1283, 1285 (10th Cir.1990); In re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir.1989).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Matthew Joseph Sikora, Jr. v. Robert Houston, Warden, Lincoln Correctional Center John Does
8th Cir. · 1996 · confidence medium
See In re: Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir.1989) (per curiam) (a court may not require plaintiff to first pay fee and then later dismiss complaint as frivolous). 5 Accordingly, we reverse and remand.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Matthew J. Sikora v. Robert Houston
8th Cir. · 1996 · confidence medium
See In re: Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir. 1989) (per curiam) (a court may not require plaintiff to first pay fee and then later dismiss complaint as frivolous).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jerry D. Hughes v. City of Albany
2d Cir. · 1996 · confidence medium
Six other circuits have considered this question, and all have held that “upon payment of the partial fee the district court should ... treat[ ] [the plaintiff’s] complaint *56 in the same manner as a complaint that was not filed in forma pauperis.” Bryan v. Johnson, 821 F.2d 455, 458 (7th Cir.1987); see Grissom v. Scott, 934 F.2d 656, 657 (5th Cir.1991) (per curiam) (“[W]hen a district court allows a litigant to proceed upon the payment of a partial filing fee, the court should treat the complaint in the same manner as a complaint that was not filed in forma pauperis.”); Clark v. Oc…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bonnie McCaslin v. First National Bank, of York-Main Branch Kevin Henderson, Officer of the Bank Dale Adams, Officer of the Bank Housing Authority, of the City of York Robert Sylvester, Administrator of the Housing Authority of the City of York Kerri Naber, Administrative Assistant of the Housing Authority of the City of York John Doe, in Their Official and Individual Capacity, Bonnie McCaslin v. Fillmore County William L. Burgess, Sheriff of Fillmore County John Doe, in Their Official and Individual Capacity, Bonnie McCaslin v. City of Henderson, Nebraska County of York, Nebraska Dale Radcliff, Deputy Sheriff of York County Ted Perry, Former Chief of Police of Henderson, Nebraska, in Their Official and Individual Capacities, Bonnie McCaslin v. John Doe Fillmore County William L. Burgess, Sheriff of Fillmore County Robert Higel, City Commissioner of Geneva, Ne City of Geneva Water Dept. Fillmore County Development Co. Alfred Andrews, Pres. Of Fillmore County Development Co. Lichti Brothers Oil Co., Inc. Lawrence Lichti, Owner of Lichti Bros. Oil Co. Tim Lichti, Employee of Lichti Bros. Oil Co., Inc., in Their Official and Individual Capacity, Bonnie McCaslin v. U.S. Post Office Postmaster General Hastings Post Office Leroy Lang, Employee of Hastings Post Office John Doe, in Their Official and Individual Capacity
1st Cir. · 1994 · confidence medium
The district court granted McCaslin leave to proceed IFP on appeal. 4 We have expressly stated that "the magistrate or district court judge should determine whether plaintiffs may proceed in forma pauperis in terms of whether the complaint was frivolous and warranted dismissal before ordering the plaintiffs to pay a partial filing fee." In re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir.1989) (per curiam) (citing Bryan v. Johnson, 821 F.2d 455, 458 (7th Cir.1987)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) McCaslin v. First National Bank
8th Cir. · 1994 · confidence medium
We have expressly stated that “the magistrate or district court judge should determine whether plaintiffs may proceed in forma pau-peris in terms of whether the complaint was frivolous and warranted dismissal before ordering the plaintiffs to pay a partial filing fee.” In re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir.1989) (per curiam) (citing Bryan v. Johnson, 821 F.2d 455, 458 (7th Cir.1987)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Butler v. Leen
9th Cir. · 1993 · confidence medium
Clark v. Ocean Brand Tuna, 974 F.2d 48, 50 (6th Cir.1992); Grissom v. Scott, 934 F.2d 656, 657 (5th Cir.1991); Herrick v. Collins, 914 F.2d 228, 230 (11th Cir.1990); In re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir.1989); Bryan v. Johnson, 821 F.2d 455, 458 (7th Cir.1987).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Butler v. Leen
9th Cir. · 1993 · confidence medium
Clark v. Ocean Brand Tuna, 974 F.2d 48, 50 (6th Cir.1992); Grissom v. Scott, 934 F.2d 656, 657 (5th Cir.1991); Herrick v. Collins, 914 F.2d 228, 230 (11th Cir.1990); In re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir.1989); Bryan v. Johnson, 821 F.2d 455, 458 (7th Cir.1987).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Kenneth W. Gentile v. Missouri Department Of Corrections And Human Resources
8th Cir. · 1993 · confidence medium
"Determination of the question of leave to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 should precede both issuance and service of process." In re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir.1989).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Gentile v. Missouri Department of Corrections & Human Resources
8th Cir. · 1993 · confidence medium
“Determination of the question of leave to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 should precede both issuance and service of process.” In re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir. 1989).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Autry L. Clark v. Ocean Brand Tuna Ocean King, Inc. (2×)
6th Cir. · 1992 · confidence medium
Grissom v. Scott, 934 F.2d 656, 657 (5th Cir.1991); Herrick v. Collins, 914 F.2d 228, 230 (11th Cir.1990); In re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir.1989); Bryan v. Johnson, 821 F.2d 455, 458 (7th Cir.1987).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Oliver Grissom v. Lewis Scott
5th Cir. · 1991 · confidence medium
We therefore adopt the rule that has been adopted by the Eleventh, Seventh, and Eighth Circuits: when a district court allows a litigant to proceed upon the payment of a partial filing fee, the court should treat the complaint in the same manner as a complaint that was not filed in forma pauperis: Id,.; In re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir.1989); Bryan, 821 F.2d at 458 .
cited Cited as authority (rule) Timothy Allan Divers v. Department of Corrections Jim M. Jones, Larry Dittmer
8th Cir. · 1990 · confidence medium
Id. at 1077.
cited Cited "see" John K. Hake v. Harold W. Clarke
8th Cir. · 1996 · signal: see · confidence high
See In re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir.1989) (per curiam) (dismissal of section 1915(d) complaint as frivolous after payment of filing fee not contemplated by Federal Rules of Procedure).
cited Cited "see" Hake v. Clarke
8th Cir. · 1996 · signal: see · confidence high
See In re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir.1989) (per curiam) (dismissal of section 1915(d) complaint as frivolous after payment of filing fee not contemplated by Federal Rules of Procedure).
cited Cited "see" Bewley v. Dahm
unknown court · 1995 · signal: see · confidence high
See In re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir. 1989) (per curiam).
discussed Cited "see" Frank Kevin Pool Melvin Leroy Tyler Bradley Houston Roby Hudson v. John Ashcroft Dick Moore Missouri State Department of Corrections William Webster Duane Butler John Simon Hon. William Knox Hon. Scott Wright Robert Ulrich Unnamed Guards Every Official of the Mo. Department of Corrections Holding the Position of Guard Namely Lt. Tom Davis, Officer Coi Dawson and Others, Frank Kevin Pool Melvin Leroy Tyler Bradley Houston Roby Hudson v. John Ashcroft Dick Moore Missouri State Department of Corrections William Webster Duane Butler John Simon Hon. Williams Knox Hon. Scott Wright Robert Ulrich Unnamed Guards Every Official of the Mo. Department of Corrections Holding the Position of Guard Namely Lt. Tom Davis, Officer Coi Dawson and Others, Frank Kevin Pool Melvin Leroy Tyler, Bradley Houston Roby Hudson v. John Ashcroft Dick Moore Missouri State Department of Corrections William Webster Duane Butler John Simon Hon. William Knox Hon. Scott Wright Robert Ulrich Unnamed Guards Every Official of the Mo. Department of Corrections Holding the Position of Guard Namely Lt. Tom Davis, Officer Coi Dawson and Others
8th Cir. · 1992 · signal: see · confidence high
See In Re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir. 1989) (court should determine whether complaint is frivolous before ordering plaintiffs to pay partial filing fee).
cited Cited "see" Terry Ann Steffen v. James Rowland
9th Cir. · 1992 · signal: see · confidence high
See In re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir.1989)
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Daniel L. Herrick, 110128 and Thomas F. Williams, 095608 v. Gerald Collins, Superintendent, Gene Gordon, Asst. Superintendent, Richard Dugger
11th Cir. · 1990 · signal: see also · confidence medium
We therefore adopt the rule articulated by the Seventh Circuit in Bryan : where a district court allows the litigant to proceed upon the payment of a partial filing fee, the court should treat the complaint “in the same manner as a complaint that was not filed in forma pauperis.” Bryan, 821 F.2d at 458 ; see also In re Funkhouser, 873 F.2d 1076, 1077 (8th Cir.1989) (following Bryan).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
In Re Andrew FUNKHOUSER, Petitioner
89-8038.
Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Apr 24, 1989.
873 F.2d 1076
Lay, Henley, Bowman.
Cited by 23 opinions  |  Published
PER CURIAM.

This matter comes before us on application for writ of mandamus directed to William Knox, United States Magistrate for the Western District of Missouri, alleging (1) undue delay in the processing of this case and (2) improper procedures in handling in forma pauperis cases filed by state prisoners in the Western District of Missouri. Pursuant to Eighth Circuit procedures, the Magistrate against whom this petition for writ of mandamus is directed has filed an informal response with this court.

This matter stems from a prisoner civil rights action filed by three Missouri prisoners — Andrew Funkhouser, James Wilson, and Emmett Dunn [1] — seeking class certification for alleged violations of their civil rights during their confinement at the Missouri State Penitentiary. Included in these allegations are claims of ongoing illegal searches and numerous violations relating to inadequate safety for prisoners, medical care, classification, and other inhumane conditions. The complaint alleges 88 paragraphs of violations. If the allegations of the complaint are true, it is clear that plaintiffs may be entitled to equitable relief against the defendants.

The Magistrate, in response to the complaint, issued an order on December 17, 1987, which reads as follows:

Plaintiff has sought leave to proceed in forma pauperis in this civil action, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C., § 1915. It is the practice of this court to file provisionally those actions and then determine if the applicant is eligible to so proceed.
The records currently available to the court indicate plaintiff is capable of paying a partial filing fee, in accord with Local Rule 9(A) of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. Plaintiff is advised payment of a partial filing fee does not guarantee plaintiff will be granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis. The court may yet determine the case is frivolous. It is hereby
ORDERED that plaintiff, within twenty (20) days hereof, pay a partial filing fee of $27.86, or show cause why such fee cannot be paid. It is further
[*1077] ORDERED that failure to comply with this order may result in dismissal, pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(b).

The petition for writ of mandamus was filed February 27, 1989. In the Magistrate’s response, he indicates that he had given the plaintiffs until April 2, 1989, to file a traverse to the defendants’ late response (defendants filed a response more than ninety days out of time) on a show cause order as to why plaintiffs should not be granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis. In other words, the case, almost 17 months after the complaint was provisionally filed, still has not been processed beyond the initial stage of determining whether the plaintiffs should proceed in forma pauperis.

We find that the delay in processing this case is not reasonably explained by the Magistrate. Determination of the question of leave to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 should precede both issuance and service of process. A summons should not issue if, in fact, the case has been found to be frivolous. Under § 1915 issuance and service of process is to be done by officers of the court, and indeed under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(j) if service is not made within 120 days after the filing of the complaint the action may be dismissed without prejudice. Both the statutes and rules of procedure require reasonable diligence in processing actions in forma pauperis.

We endorse the rule set forth by the Seventh Circuit in Bryan v. Johnson, 821 F.2d 455 (7th Cir.1987), which holds that, if a payment of a partial fee by a prisoner is deemed necessary under the rules of the district court, upon payment of the partial fee the court should treat the inmate’s complaint in the same manner as a complaint that was not filed in forma pauperis. In other words, the magistrate or district court judge should determine whether plaintiffs may proceed in forma pauperis in terms of whether the complaint was frivolous and warranted dismissal before ordering the plaintiffs to pay a partial filing fee. Id. at 458. To require plaintiffs to first pay the fee and then later dismiss the case as frivolous is not contemplated by the Federal Rules of Procedure. [2]

Although this court has indicated that partial fee plans may be permissible under local court rule, we have nonetheless requested the district courts to consider the efficacy of such plans and whether or not they will serve the goals involved. In re Williamson, 786 F.2d 1336, 1339-1341 (8th Cir.1986). We deem it extraordinary that from November 23, 1987, until the present time the Magistrate has not determined whether he will grant plaintiffs in this case leave to proceed in forma pauperis. We are aware that there are numerous filings by state prisoners in the Western District of Missouri. However, we are also aware that the allegations of unconstitutional conduct by the State raise serious considerations and if these allegations are in fact true they should be immediately investigated and ruled upon at least in terms of whether preliminary equitable relief should issue. [3]

On this basis, we direct the Magistrate to consult with the Chief Judge of the Western District of Missouri to adopt procedures which would ensure immediate processing of all motions of prisoners to proceed in forma pauperis in a reasonable and timely manner. If a petition is deemed frivolous, the case should be dismissed without requiring a partial filing fee. If the case is not frivolous, leave to proceed in forma pauperis may be given, or the defendants may be required to pay a partial filing fee in accordance with the local rule which must comport with this court’s order[*1078] in In re Williams, 873 F.2d 1447 (8th Cir.1989).

The Magistrate is hereby directed to apply Williams to the present case and to all pending and future cases. The Magistrate’s reasoning that the parties may dismiss their case and file individual cases and thereby obviate a filing fee based on an aggregate basis is not acceptable. This procedure not only interferes with the prisoner’s right to proceed in federal court with a non-frivolous complaint, but it is also a totally inefficient procedure for processing civil suits in the district court.

The petition for writ of mandamus is granted. The Magistrate shall immediately require the State to file an answer. The Magistrate shall appoint counsel for plaintiffs, hold an immediate hearing on their application for temporary and permanent injunction, pass on the class certification issue, and set forth a scheduling order for the trial of this case on the merits. Furthermore, in all pending and future cases, the Magistrate shall adhere to our order in In re Williams, 873 F.2d 1447 (8th Cir.1989).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

1

. Missouri prisoner Anthony Morris is also a plaintiff in the complaint but did not join with the other plaintiffs in the petition for a writ of mandamus.

2

. Furthermore, such a procedure contradicts the Western District’s own precedent. Mathes v. Carlson, 534 F.Supp. 226, 227 (W.D.Mo.1982) ("prior to permitting a potential plaintiff to proceed in forma pauperis, a court should determine that the claim is substantial and not merely colorable or frivolous”).

3

. We note that the plaintiffs have tendered motions for preliminary injunctive relief with affidavits and that no response has been made to those motions, no hearing has been held, certification of the class has not been ruled on, and, in fact, the defendants have not even filed an answer to the plaintiffs’ complaint.