Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_00-cv-01095/USCOURTS-caed-2_00-cv-01095-5/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

RAJ CHRISTOPHER GUPTA,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-00-1095 GEB GGH P

vs.

C.A. TERHUNE, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff has requested the appointment of counsel. The United States Supreme

Court has ruled that district courts lack authority under the in forma pauperis statute to require

counsel to represent indigent plaintiffs in § 1983 cases. See Mallard v. United States Dist. Court,

490 U.S. 296, 298 (1989); 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). In certain exceptional circumstances, the

court may appoint counsel. See Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991); Wood v.

Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1335-36 (9th Cir. 1990). 

In considering whether exceptional circumstances exist, the court must evaluate

(1) the plaintiff’s likelihood of success on the merits; and (2) the ability of the plaintiff to

articulate his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. Terrell, 935

F.2d at 1017. In the present case, the court cannot conclude that plaintiff’s likelihood of success,

the complexity of the issues, or the degree of plaintiff’s ability to articulate his claims amount to

Case 2:00-cv-01095-GEB-GGH Document 158 Filed 10/25/05 Page 1 of 2
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exceptional circumstances justifying the appointment of counsel. Plaintiff’s request for the

appointment of counsel will therefore be denied.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s October 6, 2005, motion

for the appointment of counsel is denied.

DATED: 10/24/05

/s/ Gregory G. Hollows

GREGORY G. HOLLOWS

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

GGH:bb

gupt1095.31

Case 2:00-cv-01095-GEB-GGH Document 158 Filed 10/25/05 Page 2 of 2