Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_11-cv-00246/USCOURTS-caed-2_11-cv-00246-1/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

WILLIAM BARKER,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-11-0246 LKK GGH P

vs.

R. YASSINE,

Defendant. 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. The issues here are not complicated–

plaintiff alleges an incident of excessive force which do not involve the need for expert

testimony. And despite plaintiff’s description of his inability to proceed with this lawsuit, the

organization and structure of the complaint say otherwise. Plaintiff’s request for the appointment

of counsel will therefore be denied.

Case 2:11-cv-00246-AC Document 24 Filed 07/25/11 Page 1 of 2
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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s request for the

appointment of counsel (Docket No. 23) is denied.

DATED: July 22, 2011

 /s/ Gregory G. Hollows

GREGORY G. HOLLOWS

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

GGH:md

bark0246.31 

Case 2:11-cv-00246-AC Document 24 Filed 07/25/11 Page 2 of 2