Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01077/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01077-2/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOAQUIN GUERRA,

Plaintiff,

v.

KERN COUNTY SHERIFF’S 

DEPARTMENT, et al.,

Defendants.

1:13-cv-01077-AWI-BAM (PC) 

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL 

(ECF No. 10)

On August 4, 2014, Plaintiff filed a motion seeking the appointment of counsel. Plaintiff 

does not have a constitutional right to appointed counsel in this action, Rand v. Rowland, 113 

F.3d 1520, 1525 (9th Cir. 1997), and the court cannot require an attorney to represent plaintiff 

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. ' 1915(e)(1). Mallard v. United States District Court for the Southern 

District of Iowa, 490 U.S. 296, 298, 109 S.Ct. 1814, 1816 (1989). However, in certain 

exceptional circumstances the court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel pursuant to 

section 1915(e)(1). Rand, 113 F.3d at 1525. 

Without a reasonable method of securing and compensating counsel, the court will seek 

volunteer counsel only in the most serious and exceptional cases. In determining whether 

Aexceptional circumstances exist, the district court must evaluate both the likelihood of success on

the merits [and] the ability of the [plaintiff] to articulate his claims pro se in light of the 

Case 1:13-cv-01077-AWI-BAM Document 14 Filed 08/07/14 Page 1 of 2
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complexity of the legal issues involved.@ Id. (internal quotation marks and citations omitted).

Plaintiff asserts that counsel is necessary because he is indigent, his imprisonment will 

limit his ability to litigate this matter, the issues are complex and he is visually impaired. (ECF 

No. 13.) The Court has considered Plaintiff’s assertions, but does not find the required 

exceptional circumstances. Even if it is assumed that plaintiff is not well versed in the law and 

that he has made serious allegations which, if proved, would entitle him to relief, his case is not 

exceptional. This court is faced with similar cases almost daily from indigent prisoners. 

Although Plaintiff cites a visual impairment, Plaintiff has not supplied any supporting medical 

evidence and, based on a review of the record, there is no indication that Plaintiff cannot 

adequately articulate his claims. Further, at this early stage in the proceedings, the court cannot 

make a determination that plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits. Id. 

For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff=s motion for the appointment of counsel is HEREBY 

DENIED without prejudice.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 7, 2014 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:13-cv-01077-AWI-BAM Document 14 Filed 08/07/14 Page 2 of 2