Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_06-cv-02208/USCOURTS-azd-2_06-cv-02208-1/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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WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Steven B. Lavender,

Plaintiff, 

vs.

Randell Goins, et al.,

Defendants. 

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No. CIV 06-2208-PHX-DGC (DKD)

ORDER

This matter arises on Plaintiff’s Motion for the Appointment of Counsel (Doc.#9).

Plaintiff requests that the court appoint counsel because he lacks legal training, cannot afford

counsel, and because the issues in this matter are complex. (Id.)

There is no constitutional right to appointment of counsel in a civil case. See Johnson

v. Dep't of Treasury, 939 F.2d 820, 824 (9th Cir. 1991). Appointment of counsel in a civil rights

case is required only when exceptional circumstances are present. Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d

1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991) (citing Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986)).

In determining whether to appoint counsel, the court should consider the likelihood of success

on the merits, and the ability of plaintiff to articulate his claims in view of their complexity.

Wood v. Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1335 (9th Cir. 1990). 

Plaintiff has not demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits, nor has he shown

that he is experiencing difficulty in litigating this case because of the complexity of the issues

involved. Moreover, Plaintiff’s numerous filings with the Court as well as the pending motion,

indicate that Plaintiff is capable of presenting legal and factual arguments to the Court. After

Case 2:06-cv-02208-DGC Document 10 Filed 11/16/06 Page 1 of 2
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reviewing the file, the Court determines that this case does not present exceptional

circumstances requiring the appointment of counsel. 

Accordingly,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion for the Appointment of Counsel

(Doc. #9) is DENIED without prejudice.

DATED this 16th day of November, 2006.

Case 2:06-cv-02208-DGC Document 10 Filed 11/16/06 Page 2 of 2