Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-02545/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-02545-10/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHARLES E. WALKER,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-07-2545 MCE DAD P

vs.

A. KARELAS, 

Defendant. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis with a civil

rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On July 2, 2010, plaintiff filed a motion for the

appointment of counsel, arguing therein that he is unable to adequately argue his legal claims in

this action due to his psychiatric medication. 

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that district courts lack authority to

require counsel to represent indigent prisoners in § 1983 cases. Mallard v. United States Dist.

Court, 490 U.S. 296, 298 (1989). In certain exceptional circumstances, however, the district

court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). Terrell

v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991); Wood v. Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1335-36

(9th Cir. 1990).

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Case 2:07-cv-02545-MCE -DAD Document 49 Filed 07/08/10 Page 1 of 2
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The test for exceptional circumstances requires the court to evaluate the plaintiff’s

likelihood of success on the merits and the ability of the plaintiff to articulate his claims pro se in

light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. See Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328,

1331 (9th Cir. 1986); Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954 (9th Cir. 1983). Circumstances that

are common to most prisoners, such as lack of legal education and limited law library access, do

not establish exceptional circumstances that would warrant a request for voluntary assistance of

counsel. Here, the court does not find the required exceptional circumstances. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s July 2, 2010 motion for

appointment of counsel (Doc. No. 48) is denied.

DATED: July 8, 2010.

DAD: sj

walk2545.31

Case 2:07-cv-02545-MCE -DAD Document 49 Filed 07/08/10 Page 2 of 2