Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00956/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00956-4/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

HOWARD P. THOMAS,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-05-0956 DFL EFB P

vs.

CHARLES F. CRAPOTTA, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff requests the court appoint counsel upon the grounds he is indigent, he is in poor

health, he is uneducated and there are many defendants.

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). Upon a showing of

exceptional circumstances, the court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel. 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). 

Plaintiff alleges defendants opted to treat plaintiff’s ocular tumor by removing his eye

even though other less invasive treatments were available. The law is well-settled and plaintiff

articulates his claim well in light of its complexity. Plaintiff has failed to demonstrate

exceptional circumstances. 

Case 2:05-cv-00956-DFL-EFB Document 17 Filed 08/29/06 Page 1 of 2
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For these reasons, plaintiff’s August 14, 2006, request for appointment of counsel is

denied.

So ordered.

DATED: August 24, 2006.

/bb

thom0956.dny counsel

Case 2:05-cv-00956-DFL-EFB Document 17 Filed 08/29/06 Page 2 of 2