Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-01301/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-01301-3/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

JIM FERGUSON,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-06-1301 MCE KJM P

vs.

C. HALL, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis with an action

filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. By order filed November 15, 2006, plaintiff's complaint was

dismissed with leave to file an amended complaint. Plaintiff has now filed an amended

complaint.

The amended complaint states cognizable First and Eighth Amendment claims for

relief pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b) against defendant Hall. If the

allegations of the amended complaint are proven, plaintiff has a reasonable opportunity to

prevail on these claims. Therefore, the court will order service of process on defendant Hall. 

With respect to the other defendants identified in plaintiff’s amended complaint, the amended

complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Therefore, the court will not

order service of process as to the other defendants.

Case 2:06-cv-01301-MCE-CKD Document 19 Filed 05/29/07 Page 1 of 3
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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. 

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Service is appropriate for defendant Hall. 

2. The Clerk of the Court shall send plaintiff a USM-285 form, a summons, an

instruction sheet and a copy of the amended complaint filed March 16, 2007.

3. Within thirty days from the date of this order, plaintiff shall complete the

attached Notice of Submission of Documents and submit the following documents to the court:

a. The completed Notice of Submission of Documents;

b. One completed summons;

c. One completed USM-285 form; and 

d. Two copies of the endorsed amended complaint filed March 16, 2007. 

4. Plaintiff need not attempt service on defendant Hall and need not request

waiver of service. Upon receipt of the above-described documents, the court will direct the

United States Marshal to serve defendant Hall pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4

without payment of costs. 

5. Plaintiff’s March 16, 2007 request for the appointment of counsel is denied.

DATED: May 24, 2007. 

1/ferg1301.1(3.16.07)

Case 2:06-cv-01301-MCE-CKD Document 19 Filed 05/29/07 Page 2 of 3
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JIM FERGUSON,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-06-1301 MCE KJM P

vs.

C. HALL, et al., NOTICE OF SUBMISSION

Defendants. OF DOCUMENTS

 /

Plaintiff hereby submits the following documents in compliance with the court's

order filed :

 completed summons form

 completed USM-285 form

 copies of the 

 Amended Complaint

DATED: 

 

Plaintiff

Case 2:06-cv-01301-MCE-CKD Document 19 Filed 05/29/07 Page 3 of 3