Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01394/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01394-4/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

WILMONT WALLACE, 1:06-cv-01394-OWW-SMS PC

Plaintiff, ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

vs.

(Doc. 10)

K. MENDOA-POWERS,

Defendant.

 /

Plaintiff Wilmont Wallace (“plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma

pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 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 District Court for the

Southern District of Iowa, 490 U.S. 296, 298, 109 S.Ct. 1814, 1816 (1989). In certain exceptional

circumstances, the court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §

1915(e)(1). Rand v. Rowland, 113 F.3d 1520, 1525 (9th Cir. 1997). Without a reasonable method of

securing and compensating counsel, this court will seek volunteer counsel only in the most serious and

exceptional cases. 

In the present case, the court does not find the required exceptional circumstances. See Rand,

113 F.3d at 1525. Even if it is assumed that plaintiff is not well versed in the law and that he has made

Case 1:06-cv-01394-OWW -SMS Document 15 Filed 02/26/07 Page 1 of 2
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serious allegations which, if proved, would entitle him to relief, his case is not exceptional. This court

is faced with similar cases almost daily. Therefore, plaintiff's request for the appointment of counsel

shall be denied.

In accordance with the above, plaintiff's request for the appointment of counsel is HEREBY

DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 23, 2007 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

i0d3h8 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:06-cv-01394-OWW -SMS Document 15 Filed 02/26/07 Page 2 of 2