(a) Every pro se action by an inmate under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and every pro se
petition for the writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. §§ 2254 and 2255 must be (1)
legibly handwritten, printed, or typed (inmates are strongly encouraged to use the forms
available at the respective facilities, on the court’s website, or, if requested in writing,
from the clerk’s office); (2) signed under penalty of perjury in accordance with the law;
(3) accompanied by a pauper’s affidavit (on a court-provided form) if plaintiff seeks to
proceed without payment of costs; and (4) completely filled out.
(b) In a case in which an inmate plaintiff is represented by counsel, nothing will be
accepted for filing (except a pro se motion for release of counsel) unless it is filed by
counsel.
