Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-cv-02446/USCOURTS-caed-2_19-cv-02446-1/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

EUGENE RED PROTSMAN,

Plaintiff,

v.

WARDEN, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 2:19-cv-2446 KJN P

ORDER

Plaintiff is a state prisoner, proceeding pro se, in an action brought under 42 U.S.C. 

§ 1983. Plaintiff requests that the court appoint 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 an attorney 

to voluntarily represent such a plaintiff. See 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). 

When determining whether “exceptional circumstances” exist, the court must consider plaintiff’s 

likelihood of success on the merits as well as the ability of the plaintiff to articulate his claims pro 

se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. Palmer v. Valdez, 560 F.3d 965, 970 

(9th Cir. 2009) (district court did not abuse discretion in declining to appoint counsel). The 

burden of demonstrating exceptional circumstances is on the plaintiff. Id. Circumstances 

common to most prisoners, such as lack of legal education and limited law library access, do not 

Case 2:19-cv-02446-KJN Document 9 Filed 02/06/20 Page 1 of 2
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establish exceptional circumstances that warrant a request for voluntary assistance of counsel. 

Having considered the factors under Palmer, the court finds that plaintiff has failed to 

meet his burden of demonstrating exceptional circumstances warranting the appointment of 

counsel at this time.

Additionally, Plaintiff has filed a motion for a sixty-day extension of time to file an 

amended complaint. Plaintiff alleges, in part, that he has gone out for right hand ring finger 

surgery and must seek others to write for him. Good cause appearing, plaintiff is granted a sixtyday extension of time to file an amended complaint. However, no further extensions of time will 

be granted but for a showing of substantial cause. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s motion for the appointment of counsel (ECF No. 8) is denied without 

prejudice;

2. Plaintiff’s motion for an extension of time (ECF No. 8) is granted; and

3. Plaintiff is granted sixty days from the date of this order in which to file an amended 

complaint. 

Dated: February 6, 2020

prot2446.31+36

Case 2:19-cv-02446-KJN Document 9 Filed 02/06/20 Page 2 of 2