Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-02876/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-02876-6/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

ANDREW PHILLIP DURAN,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-06-2876 GEB KJM P

vs.

JOHN DOVEY, 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 motion for the appointment of

counsel will therefore be denied.

Plaintiff has also asked the court, in essence, for a stay of the case for ninety days

after the defendants have filed their answer because he will be out to court in Merced County

and separated from his legal property. In light of the extension the court has just granted to

Case 2:06-cv-02876-GEB -KJM Document 28 Filed 09/17/07 Page 1 of 2
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defendants, it is unlikely that plaintiff will need access to his property before he is returned from

Merced County. Should the need arise, plaintiff may return to court and make a properly

supported request for an extension of time. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s September 10, 2007 motion for the appointment of counsel is

denied; and

2. Plaintiff’s September 10, 2007 request for an extension of time is denied

without prejudice. 

DATED: September 17, 2007. 

2/mp

dura2876.31(2)

Case 2:06-cv-02876-GEB -KJM Document 28 Filed 09/17/07 Page 2 of 2