Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-02766/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-02766-0/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

MARK A. SMITH,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-09-2766 MCE EFB P

vs.

MARK ROELKE,

Defendant. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff, who is civilly committed, is proceeding without counsel in an action brought

under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. He has requested that the court appoint counsel. District courts lack

authority to require counsel to represent indigent prisoners in § 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. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s May 6, 2010, request for

appointment of counsel is denied.

DATED: May 19, 2010.

Case 2:09-cv-02766-MCE -EFB Document 11 Filed 05/19/10 Page 1 of 1