Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-00366/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-00366-10/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

SPENCER E. BERRY,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-04-0366 GEB EFB P

vs.

CHERYL PLILER, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

 Plaintiff is an indigent prisoner without counsel seeking relief for civil rights violations. 

See 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On September 29, 2006, plaintiff filed his fifth request for appointment of

counsel. 

A district court cannot require counsel to represent an indigent prisoners in a § 1983

action. Mallard v. United States Dist. Court, 490 U.S. 296, 298 (1989). However, upon a

finding of exceptional circumstances, a district court may request that counsel voluntarily assist

such a prisoner. 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). Plaintiff argues that he is

indigent, uneducated and has limited access to the law library, which impede his ability to

prepare a pretrial statement and respond to motions by October 13, 2006. These circumstances

are not extraordinary for purposes of appointment of counsel. 

Case 2:04-cv-00366-GEB-EFB Document 75 Filed 10/12/06 Page 1 of 2
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Accordingly, it is ORDERED that plaintiff’s September 29, 2006, request for

appointment of counsel is denied. 

DATED: October 12, 2006.

Case 2:04-cv-00366-GEB-EFB Document 75 Filed 10/12/06 Page 2 of 2