A. Filing Requirements. Petitions for writs of habeas corpus pursuant to 28
U.S.C. ' 2254 and 28 U.S.C. ' 2241, motions to vacate sentence pursuant to
28 U.S.C. ' 2255, and applications to proceed in forma pauperis must be
signed and legibly written or typewritten on forms prescribed by the court and
in accordance with the instructions provided with the forms unless the court
finds, in its discretion, that the petition, motion, or application is
understandable and that it substantially conforms with federal and local
requirements for such actions. Copies of the relevant forms and instructions
will be provided by the clerk of court upon request The court may strike or
dismiss petitions, motions, or applications that do not conform substantively
or procedurally with federal and local requirements for such actions.
B. In Forma Pauperis Certification. If a habeas corpus petitioner desires to
prosecute a petition in forma pauperis, the petitioner must file an application
to proceed in forma pauperis on a form prescribed by the court (Motion to
Proceed Without Prepayment of Fees and Declaration), accompanied by a
certification of the warden or other appropriate officer of the institution in
which the petitioner is confined as to the amount of money or securities on
deposit for the petitioner. If the petitioner has in excess of $25 on deposit, the
petitioner must pay the filing fee to proceed with a 28 U.S.C. ' 2241 or a 28
U.S.C. ' 2254 case.
C. Assignment of Judicial Officer. Once a petition for a writ of habeas corpus
is assigned to a district judge, any future pleadings filed by the prisoner will
be automatically assigned to the same district judge to whom the earlier case
was assigned, unless otherwise ordered by the court. Motions pursuant to 28
U.S.C. ' 2255 will be assigned as provided for in Rule 4(a) of the Rules
Governing Section 2255 Proceedings for the United States District Courts.
