Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-01798/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-01798-18/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

KEITH M. CASSELLS,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-04-1798 FCD EFB P

vs.

D. MEHTA, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a prisoner without counsel seeking relief for alleged civil rights violations. 

See 42 U.S.C. § 1983. He has requested that the court appoint counsel. District courts lack

authority to require counsel to represent indigent prisoners in section 1983 cases. Mallard v.

United States Dist. Court, 490 U.S. 296, 298 (1989). In exceptional circumstances, the court

may request counsel voluntarily to represent such a plaintiff. 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 asserts that he suffers from diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, Hepatitis C,

carpal tunnel syndrome and several other physical and mental disorders. He claims these

conditions constitute exceptional circumstances because they are inhibiting his ability to litigate

this action without counsel. The docket belies this claim. Since commencing this action 

Case 2:04-cv-01798-FCD-EFB Document 93 Filed 12/12/06 Page 1 of 2
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in 2004, plaintiff has filed an opposition to defendants’ motion to dismiss, a motion for

preliminary injunctive relief, at least two motions to compel discovery, a motion to file an

amended complaint and an opposition to defendants’ motion for summary judgment. Based on

these facts, the court finds that plaintiff has not shown his conditions constitute exceptional

circumstances justifying the court requesting counsel to assist him.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s November 28, 2006, request for

appointment of counsel is denied.

DATED: December 11, 2006.

Case 2:04-cv-01798-FCD-EFB Document 93 Filed 12/12/06 Page 2 of 2