Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00444/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00444-5/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

DANIEL TREGLIA,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-07-0444 FCD EFB P

vs.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF 

CORRECTIONS AND 

REHABILITATION, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a prisoner without counsel suing for alleged civil rights violations. See 42

U.S.C. § 1983. On November 26, 2007, plaintiff filed a request for an order appointing counsel

or, alternatively, directing prison officials to allow him free phone calls to his family so that they

can obtain counsel for him. With respect to the request for 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). 

The court finds that there are no exceptional circumstances in this case. As to plaintiff’s second

request, the court sees no basis for making an order directing prison officials to allow plaintiff to

make phone calls at no cost. Another, less burdensome alternative is open to plaintiff if he

wishes to communicate to people outside of the prison, i.e., the United States mail.

Case 2:07-cv-00444-EFB Document 28 Filed 03/25/08 Page 1 of 2
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Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that plaintiff’s November 26, 2007, requests are

denied.

DATED: March 24, 2008.

Case 2:07-cv-00444-EFB Document 28 Filed 03/25/08 Page 2 of 2