Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-01344/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-01344-4/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

MARK ANTHONY MORENO,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-08-1344 JAM EFB P

vs.

DAVID MEDINA, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a prisoner without counsel seeking relief for alleged civil rights violations. 

See 42 U.S.C. § 1983. He has requested that the court appoint counsel. He also seems to request

additional time to file an amended complaint. District courts lack authority to require counsel to

represent indigent prisoners in section 1983 cases. Mallard v. United States Dist. Court, 490

U.S. 296, 298 (1989). In exceptional circumstances, the court may request counsel voluntarily to

represent such a plaintiff. 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). The court finds that

there are no exceptional circumstances in this case. 

However, he has demonstrated good cause for additional time to file an amended

complaint. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b).

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Case 2:08-cv-01344-JAM-EFB Document 16 Filed 12/12/08 Page 1 of 2
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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s December 8, 2008, request for appointment of counsel is denied; and,

2. Plaintiff’s request for an extension of time is granted, and he has 30 days from the

date this order is served to file an amended complaint.

DATED: December 12, 2008.

Case 2:08-cv-01344-JAM-EFB Document 16 Filed 12/12/08 Page 2 of 2