Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-00196/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-00196-0/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

ALEXANDER LEES, 

Plaintiff, No. CIV S 08-0196 LKK KJM

vs.

T. FELKER, et al., 

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, has filed a civil rights action pursuant

to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 together with a request for leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 1915. Plaintiff has not, however, filed his application for leave to proceed in forma

pauperis on the form used by this district. Accordingly, plaintiff’s application will be dismissed

and plaintiff will be provided the opportunity to submit the application on the appropriate form. 

Plaintiff is cautioned that he must also provide a certified copy of his prison trust account

statement for the six month period immediately preceding the filing of his complaint. 

Plaintiff has also requested the 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

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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 request for the

appointment of counsel will therefore be denied.

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

1. Plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis (docket no. 2) is dismissed

without prejudice; 

2. Plaintiff’s request for the appointment of counsel (docket no. 3) is denied;

3. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send plaintiff a new Application to

Proceed In Forma Pauperis By a Prisoner; and

4. Plaintiff shall submit, within thirty days from the date of this order, a

completed application to proceed in forma pauperis. Plaintiff’s failure to comply with this order

will result in a recommendation that this action be dismissed without prejudice. 

DATED: February 8, 2008. 

/ab

 lees0196.3d

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