No. 25-457

Topaz Johnson, et al. v. High Desert State Prison, et al.

Lower Court: Ninth Circuit
Docketed: 2025-10-15
Status: Pending
Type: Paid
Amici (1)Relisted (4) Experienced Counsel
Tags: civil-procedure court-fees filing-fee in-forma-pauperis incarcerated-plaintiff statutory-interpretation
Key Terms:
SocialSecurity JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2026-02-20 (distributed 4 times)
Question Presented (from Petition)

Does 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1) require each incarcerated plaintiff filing in forma pauperis to pay the full amount of a filing fee whether or not he is filing a joint civil action with other plaintiffs?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Does 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1) require each incarcerated plaintiff filing in forma pauperis to pay the full amount of a filing fee whether or not he is filing a joint civil action with other plaintiffs?

Docket Entries

2026-02-13
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/20/2026.
2026-01-20
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/23/2026.
2026-01-12
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/16/2026.
2025-12-23
Waiver of the 14-day waiting period for the distribution of the petition pursuant to Rule 15.5 filed by petitioners.
Main Document
2025-12-23
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/9/2026.
2025-12-23
Reply of Topaz Johnson, et al. submitted.
Main DocumentCertificate of Word CountProof of Service
2025-12-23
Reply of petitioners Topaz Johnson, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Main DocumentProof of ServiceCertificate of Word Count
2025-12-15
Brief of Sergeant Robert Sylva in opposition submitted.
Main DocumentCertificate of Word CountProof of Service
2025-12-15
Brief of respondent Sergeant Robert Sylva in opposition filed.
Main DocumentCertificate of Word CountProof of Service
2025-12-15
Brief of respondents High Desert State Prison, et al. in opposition filed.
Main DocumentCertificate of Word CountProof of Service
2025-11-14
Amicus brief of Public Justice and Rights Behind Bars submitted.
Main DocumentCertificate of Word CountProof of Service
2025-11-14
Brief amici curiae of Public Justice, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Main DocumentProof of ServiceCertificate of Word Count
2025-10-24
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including December 15, 2025, for all respondents.
2025-10-23
Motion of Sergeant Robert Sylva for an extension of time submitted.
Main Document
2025-10-23
Motion of respondent Sergeant Robert Sylva to extend the time to file a response from November 14, 2025 to December 15, 2025, submitted to The Clerk.
Main Document
2025-10-10
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due November 14, 2025)
PetitionCertificate of Word CountProof of Service

Attorneys

Public Justice and Rights Behind Bars
Jaqueline Aranda Osorno — Public Justice, Amicus
Sergeant Robert Sylva
Aaron Daniel Pennekamp — State of California Department of Justice, Respondent
Topaz Johnson, et al.
Easha Anand — Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center, Petitioner