Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-00645/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-00645-1/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

KEVIN ROBERSON,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-03-0645 LKK JFM P

vs.

J. M. BRIDDLE, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Pursuant to court order, this matter came on for trial confirmation hearing on

October 11, 2005. Plaintiff appeared in propria persona by videoconference. Van Longyear

appeared as counsel for defendants.

On October 5, 2005, plaintiff filed a motion for appointment of counsel. 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, the 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). In the present case, the

court does not find the required exceptional circumstances. Plaintiff’s motion for appointment of

counsel will therefore be denied.

Case 2:03-cv-00645-JFM Document 123 Filed 10/12/05 Page 1 of 2
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At the trial confirmation hearing, both parties orally consented to proceed to jury

trial before the magistrate judge. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). Defendants have executed a written

consent form. Good cause appearing, plaintiff will be directed to sign and return a written

consent form memorializing the oral consent given at the hearing. Thereafter, the matter will be

reassigned to the magistrate judge for all further proceedings.

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s October 5, 2005 motion for the appointment of counsel is denied.

2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send plaintiff a form “Consent to Proceed

Before A United States Magistrate Judge.”

3. Within ten days from the date of this order plaintiff shall complete and sign

said form and return it to the court to be filed in this action.

DATED: October 11, 2005. 

/s/Lawrence K. Karlton 

LAWRENCE K. KARLTON

SENIOR JUDGE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

/robe0645.tch

Case 2:03-cv-00645-JFM Document 123 Filed 10/12/05 Page 2 of 2