Q: Do lawsuit filing fee need to be paid in full by an inmate before a date is set?

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James L. Arrasmith
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A: When filing a lawsuit from prison, you generally do not need to pay the entire filing fee upfront for the case to proceed. Instead, you may be eligible to file under the "in forma pauperis" status, which allows you to pay the fee in smaller installments. The court will review your financial situation to determine if you qualify for this status.

Even if granted, you are still required to pay a portion of the filing fee. The initial partial payment is usually based on a percentage of the funds in your prison account. After this, a percentage of your monthly income will be taken to cover the remaining fee.

It's important to note that the process might differ depending on the type of case and the jurisdiction in which you are filing. You should check with the court or legal assistance programs within the correctional facility to understand the specific procedures and requirements. Filing under "in forma pauperis" can help you proceed with your case without having to pay the full fee upfront.

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