Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-00677/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-00677-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 470
Nature of Suit: Civil (Rico)
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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.(AJ-----~- ­

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

CANDY STEWART, 

Plaintiff, 

vs. 

ORANGE COUNTY SOCIAL 

SERVICES; roLlA SEA, Social Worker, 

Defendants. 

HAYES, Judge: 

CASE NO. 12cv677 WQH WMC 

ORDER 

The matter before the Court is the Request for Appointment ofCounsel. (ECF No.8). 

On March 20, 2012, Plaintiff Candy Stewart, proceeding pro se, initiated this action by 

filing a Complaint in this Court. (ECF No.1). On March 23,2012, Plaintiff filed a Request 

to Waive Additional Court Fees which was denied without prejudice. 

On April 16,2012, Plaintiff filed a Motion to Proceed in Forma Pauperis which was 

granted. On July 18,2012, Plaintiff filed the Request for Appointment ofCounsel. (ECF No. 

8). 

Generally, a person does not have a right to counsel in a civil case. See Campbell v. 

Burt, 141 F.3d 927,931 (9th Cir.l998); Iveyv, Board ofRegents ofthe University ofAlaska, 

673 F .2d 266, 269 (9th Cir.1982). A federal court does not have the authority to "make 

coercive appointments ofcounsel." Mallard v. United States District Court, 490 U.S. 296, 310 

(1989). Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(I), "[t]he court may request an attorney to represent 

any person unable to afford counsel." 28 U.S.c. § 1915(e)(l). The Court has discretion in 

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II deciding whether to request that an attorney provide pro bono representation. Solis v. Los 

Angeles, 514 F.3d 946, 958 (9th Cir. 2008). In exercising this discretion the Court must 

consider a plaintiffs ability to represent herself, the complexity ofthe case, and the merits of 

a plaintiffs claims. Seeid.;Agyemanv. Corrs. Corp. ojAm.,390F.3d 1101, 1103-04(9thCir. 

2004). "Counsel should only be appointed in exceptional circumstances .... " Wood v. 

Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1335 (9th Cir. 1990). "[D]ifficulties which any litigant would 

have in proceeding pro se '" do not indicate exceptional factors." Id. at 1335-36. 

Plaintiff has demonstrated in her filings that she is capable of doing legal research, 

presenting arguments in writing, and that she has an understanding of the issues in this case. 

The Request for Appointment ofCounsel (ECF No.8) is DENIED without prejudice. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

II 

II 

Dated: J4tW--­

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Case 3:12-cv-00677-WQH-WMC Document 9 Filed 07/27/12 Page 2 of 2