Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-02415/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-02415-10/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

JOSEPH B. MATTHEWS, 

Plaintiff, No. 2:09-cv-2415 GEB KJN P

vs.

LAHEY, et al.,

Defendants. 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. Plaintiff’s request for the appointment of

counsel will therefore be denied.

On May 18, 2010, plaintiff filed a request to issue subpoenas directed to

nonparties to obtain access to medical records. Good cause appearing, the Clerk of the Court

will be directed to execute the subpoenas and return them to plaintiff for service.

Case 2:09-cv-02415-GEB-KJN Document 39 Filed 05/21/10 Page 1 of 2
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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s April 23, 2010 request for the appointment of counsel is denied.

2. The Clerk of Court shall execute the three subpoenas submitted by plaintiff on

May 18, 2010, and shall return them to plaintiff for service.

DATED: May 20, 2010

_____________________________________

KENDALL J. NEWMAN

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

matt2415.31

Case 2:09-cv-02415-GEB-KJN Document 39 Filed 05/21/10 Page 2 of 2