Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01384/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01384-16/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Federal Question: Bivens Act

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

OTIS HARRIS,

Plaintiff,

vs.

BERNIE ELLIS,

Defendant.

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No. CV 1-06-1384-FRZ

ORDER

On June 10, 2010, Defendant filed Defendant’s Motion forJudgment on the Pleadings

pursuant to Rules 12(c) and 12(h)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Defendant also

filed a separate Request for Judicial Notice of the Amended Complaint and Notice of Change

of Address filed in this case in support thereof.

Pursuant to the Local Rules of the United States District Court, Eastern District of

California, Plaintiff is required to file an opposition or a statement of non-opposition to the

motion. Local Rule 230(l). If Plaintiff fails to file an opposition or a statement of nonopposition to the motion, such may be deemed a waiver of any opposition to the granting of

the motion and may result in the dismissal of this action, with prejudice. The opposition or

statement of non-opposition must be filed not more than 21 days after the date of service of

the motion to dismiss. Id. The Court, however, will grant Plaintiff leave to file an

opposition or a statement of non-opposition 21 days from the filing date of this Order.

Also pending is Plaintiff’s Motion for Appointment of Counsel Pursuant to 28 U.S.C.

§ 1915(d), filed February 19, 2010.

Case 1:06-cv-01384-FRZ Document 70 Filed 06/22/10 Page 1 of 2
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Counsel will only be appointed in a civil rights action in which there exists

“exceptional circumstances.” Agyeman v. Corrections Corp. of America, 390 F.3d 1101,

1103 (9 Cir. 2004); Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.3d 1015, 1017 (9 Cir. 1991); Wilborn v.

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Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9 Cir. 1986). “A finding of the exceptional

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circumstances of the plaintiff seeking assistance requires at least an evaluation of the

likelihood of the plaintiff’s success on the merits and an evaluation of the plaintiff’s ability

to articulate his claims ‘in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved.’” Agyeman,

390 F.3d at 1103 (citing Wilborn, 789 F.2d at 1331 (quoting Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d

952, 954 (9 Cir. 1983)).

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The Court finds that Plaintiff has the ability to articulate his claims and does not find

the required exceptional circumstancesto appoint counsel. Accordingly, Plaintiff’srenewed

request for appointment of counsel will be denied.

Based on the foregoing,

IT IS ORDERED that Plaintiff shall file an opposition or a statement of non-opposition

to Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss on or before July 12, 2010;

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion for Appointment of Counsel

[Doc. #62] is DENIED.

DATED this 21 day of June, 2010.

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Case 1:06-cv-01384-FRZ Document 70 Filed 06/22/10 Page 2 of 2