John Todd Williams v. Richard J. Sullivan, et al.

Whether the denial of in forma pauperis status to an indigent litigant raising substantial constitutional claims — including violations of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments, and the Supremacy Clause — violates the Due Process and Equal Protection principles recognized in Griffin v. Illinois, 351 U.S. 12 (1956), and M.L.B. v. S.L.J., 519 U.S. 102 (1996).

Whether an appellate court may deny IFP status without explanation when the effect is to prevent review of systemic constitutional violations and jurisdictional defects, thereby closing the courthouse doors to an indigent appellant.

Whether judicial participation in a case without lawful designation under 28 U.S.C. §§ 291—296 constitutes structural error requiring appellate review regardless of a litigant’s financial status.