Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_11-cv-00246/USCOURTS-caed-2_11-cv-00246-4/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

WILLIAM BARKER,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-11-0246 LKK GGH P

vs.

R. YASSINE,

Defendant. ORDER

 /

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

Court has ruled that 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

certain exceptional circumstances, the court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel

pursuant to 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). 

In the present case, the court does not find the required exceptional circumstances. 

The issues here are not complicated– plaintiff alleges an incident of excessive force which does

not involve the need for expert testimony. And despite plaintiff’s description of his inability to

proceed with this lawsuit, the organization and structure of the complaint say otherwise. Plaintiff

states that an attorney, Scott Hubbard, wants to take this case and the court should appoint him. 

Case 2:11-cv-00246-AC Document 38 Filed 09/27/11 Page 1 of 2
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If an attorney wishes to represent plaintiff then the attorney should file a notice of appearance. 

Plaintiff’s request for the appointment of counsel will therefore be denied.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s request for the

appointment of counsel (Docket No. 33) is denied.

DATED: September 26, 2011

 /s/ Gregory G. Hollows 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

GGH:md

bark0246.31 

Case 2:11-cv-00246-AC Document 38 Filed 09/27/11 Page 2 of 2