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31 Rutgers L. Rev. 655 (1978-1979)
Federal in Forma Pauperis Litigation: In Search of Judicial Standards

handle is hein.journals/rutlr31 and id is 667 raw text is: FEDERAL IN FORMA PAUPERIS LITIGATION: IN SEARCH OF JUDICIAL STANDARDS Robert S. Catz* and Thad M. Guyer** Table of Contents Introduction ................................................... 655 I. H istorical Perspectives ..................................... 656 II. Litigation Expenses and the Litigation Process ..... 659 A. Expenditure Categories ................................ 659 B. The Litigation Process ................................. 661 C. Financial Sources and the Cost of Pauper Access ........................................ 661 III. The Legal Nature of In Forma Pauperis Status: Right versus Privilege Distinction .................... 662 IV . Financial Eligibility ......................................... 663 V. Liability for Repayment of Fees and Costs .......... 666 VI. Scope of Statutory Coverage ............................. 668 VII. The Denial of In Forma Pauperis Status ............. 671 VIII. Appeals In Forma Pauperis ............................... 679 C onclusion ..................................................... 683 INTRODUCTION The federal in forma pauperis statutes, 28 U.S.C. §§ 1915 and 753(f),1 authorize the federal courts to permit individuals who are unable to pay various fees, costs, and bonds normally required of litigants, to commence or defend civil or criminal actions in forma pauperis. Beyond the requirement of indigency, however, the stat- utes lack specific standards and procedures to guide the federal courts in the evaluation of in forma pauperis petitions. This lack of statutory guidance, coupled with the absence of clear legislative intent, has left numerous questions concerning eligibility, scope of coverage, liability * Professor of Law, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University. * Staff Attorney, Memphis Area Legal Services. 1. 28 U.S.C. §§ 753, 1915 (1976).

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