No. 25-457October Term 2025Decided Mar 2, 2026
Topaz Johnson, et al., Petitioners v. High Desert State Prison, et al.
The petitioners asked the Supreme Court to review a Ninth Circuit decision that prevented plaintiffs in a joint civil action from splitting filing fees, arguing this created a conflict with the Sixth Circuit.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Mar 2, 2026
- What it's about
The petitioners asked the Supreme Court to review a Ninth Circuit decision that prevented plaintiffs in a joint civil action from splitting filing fees, arguing this created a conflict with the Sixth Circuit.
Question presented
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?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Decision released Mar 2, 2026
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Timing
Decided March 2, 2026
The Court released its decision on March 2, 2026 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- May 1, 2026
- Method
- Methodology