Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-arwd-5_06-cv-05121/USCOURTS-arwd-5_06-cv-05121-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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AO72A

(Rev. 8/82)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

FAYETTEVILLE DIVISION

DAVID L. DANIELS PLAINTIFF

v. Civil No. 06-5121

 

CPL. REAMS; and

OFFICER HERNANDEZ DEFENDANTS

ORDER

This civil rights action was filed in forma pauperis (IFP). On November 5, 2007,

plaintiff, who is unrepresented, filed a motion for appointment of counsel (Doc. 33). 

“Indigent civil litigants do not have a constitutional or statutory right to appointed counsel.”

Edgington v. Missouri Dept. of Corrections, 52 F.3d 777, 780 (8th Cir. 1995)(citation omitted).

Rather, when an indigent prisoner has pleaded a nonfrivolous cause of action, a court ‘may’ appoint

counsel.” Phillips v. Jasper County Jail, 437 F.3d 791, 794 (8th Cir. 2006)(citing 28 U.S.C. §

1915(e)(emphasis added)). 

In determining whether to appoint counsel, the court should consider: “the factual

complexity of the issues, the ability of the indigent person to investigate the facts, the existence of

conflicting testimony, the ability of the indigent person to present the claims, and the complexity

of the legal arguments.” Phillips, 437 F.3d at 794 (citation omitted).

In his motion, plaintiff states he has no knowledge of the law and is unable to do his own

litigation because of his learning disabilities. He attaches to his motion an affidavit from an

attorney who helped him with an application for Supplemental Security Income. 

The affidavit indicates plaintiff alleged he suffered from chronic back pain, asthma, and

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AO72A

(Rev. 8/82)

2

psychological disorders. The affidavit further indicates that a “me[n]tal status evaluation”

performed by Dr. Donna Van Kirk “conformed to information” plaintiff gave. The affidavit

indicates other evidence showed plaintiff has a serious back condition. Also attached is what

appears to be plaintiff’s disability report he prepared for the Social Security Administration and the

report of an attempted evaluation by Dr. Van Kirk. Dr. Van Kirk was unable to perform her

evaluation because of plaintiff’s behavior on the date of the examination. 

Turning to an examination of the filed in this case, it appears clear the plaintiff has been

able to adequately set forth his claims (Doc. 1). He has filed a variety of documents including a

motion for jury trial (Doc. 4), motions for protective orders (Doc. 14, Doc. 17), a motion to amend

his complaint (Doc. 25), a response to defendants’ summary judgment motion (Doc. 26)(a

questionnaire was provided by the court), and objections to the report and recommendation of the

undersigned (Doc. 31). 

The case is scheduled for a hearing. Plaintiff has been advised that if he will file a witness

list with the court providing the court with certain information specified in the court’s scheduling

order, the court will assist the plaintiff by issuing writs and subpoenas for necessary witnesses. 

There is no indication plaintiff is unable to represent himself. The motion for appointment

of counsel (Doc. 33) is denied. 

IT IS SO ORDERED this 16th day of November 2007.

/s/ J. Marschewski 

HON. JAMES R. MARSCHEWSKI 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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