GARY S. AUSTIN, Magistrate Judge.
Latwahn McElroy ("Plaintiff") is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis with this civil rights action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill presided over a jury trial in this case. On June 19, 2012, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the defendants.
On September 27, 2018, Plaintiff filed a motion for the court to provide him with a transcript of the trial. (ECF No. 169.)
To obtain a transcript at government expense, Plaintiff must satisfy the criteria of 28 U.S.C. § 753(f). Section 753(f) provides, in part, that the United States shall pay the fees for transcripts furnished in civil proceedings to persons permitted to appeal in forma pauperis (IFP) if the trial judge or a circuit judge certifies that the appeal is not frivolous (i.e., it presents a substantial question). § 753(f). This requirement is applicable to pro se litigants.
Plaintiff requests the court to provide him with a transcript of the trial in this case. Plaintiff states that the court did not send him a transcript of the trial and that he will need one for appellate review.
Plaintiff has already received approval to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 4), and there is no indication in the record that his financial situation has changed. However, Plaintiff has not alleged that his appeal presents a substantial issue. The motion simply states that he needs a copy of the transcript for appellate review. There is no mention of the issues on appeal, let alone an argument that the issues on appeal are substantial. Therefore, Plaintiff's motion shall be denied.
Based on the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff's motion for a transcript of his trial, filed on September 27, 2018, is DENIED.