You are viewing a free summary from Descrybe.ai. For citation checking, legal issue analysis, and other advanced tools, explore our Legal Research Toolkit — not free, but close.

Yvonne P. Cromar v. Richard Darcy Irwin, Jr., Yvonne P. Cromar v. Dr. Madison Lucas Dr. Karl Roller St. Thomas More Hospital, Yvonne P. Cromar v. Greg Micheli, Dds

Citations: 51 F.3d 285; 1995 U.S. App. LEXIS 18317Docket: 94-1272

Court: Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit; March 22, 1995; Federal Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

This case involves an appeal by a pro se litigant challenging the dismissal of three lawsuits by the district court, consolidated for review by the Tenth Circuit. The appellant's claims in cases Nos. 94-1397 and 94-1399 were dismissed as frivolous under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d) due to the absence of federal jurisdiction, as her complaints were anchored in state law medical malpractice. The district court's denial of her motion for leave to appeal in forma pauperis was upheld by the appellate court, which found no abuse of discretion. In case No. 94-1272, the appellant's attempt to transfer a suit from Florida to Colorado was dismissed for improper venue, a decision affirmed on appeal. The appellate panel also addressed the appellant's history of abusive litigation, highlighting previous filing restrictions imposed by the Colorado federal court and warning of further limitations should such practices persist. The court's order was issued as a non-binding precedent with the mandate to be executed immediately.

Legal Issues Addressed

Denial of In Forma Pauperis Status

Application: The appellate court upheld the district court's decision to deny the appellant's motion to appeal in forma pauperis, finding no abuse of discretion.

Reasoning: Her motion for leave to appeal in forma pauperis was denied, which the appellate court found not to be an abuse of discretion.

Dismissal of Frivolous Claims under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d)

Application: The district court dismissed the appellant's claims as frivolous due to the failure to establish federal jurisdiction, as the complaints primarily involved state law issues.

Reasoning: The cases were consolidated for review in the Tenth Circuit. In cases Nos. 94-1397 and 94-1399, the district court dismissed Cromar's claims as frivolous under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d), ruling that she failed to establish federal jurisdiction, as her complaints primarily involved state law medical malpractice claims.

Filing Restrictions and Abusive Litigation Practices

Application: The appellant was previously subject to filing restrictions due to abusive litigation practices, and the court warned of further limitations if misuse continued.

Reasoning: The panel noted Cromar's history of abusive litigation practices, stating that the Colorado federal court had previously imposed filing restrictions on her. The court warned that continued misuse of the appellate process could result in further limitations on her ability to file appeals.

Improper Venue and Dismissal

Application: The appellant improperly filed a motion to transfer a suit to Colorado, resulting in dismissal for lack of proper venue, a decision affirmed by the appellate court.

Reasoning: In case No. 94-1272, Cromar sought to transfer a suit from federal court in Florida to Colorado but improperly filed the motion in Colorado. The district court dismissed this suit for lack of proper venue, which was upheld by the appellate court.