Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-01932/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-01932-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 560
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Civil Detainee - Conditions of Confinement
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BARRY BARTLETT, 

Plaintiff,

v.

ALLEN, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:14-cv-01932-LJO-DLB PC

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR 

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(Document 1-1)

Plaintiff Barry Bartlett (“Plaintiff”) is a civil detainee proceeding pro se and in forma 

pauperis in this civil rights action. On December 4, 2014, Plaintiff filed his complaint, which 

included a motion for the appointment of counsel.

Plaintiff does not have a constitutional right to the appointment of counsel in this action. 

Palmer v. Valdez, 560 F.3d 965, 970 (9th Cir. 2009); Storseth v. Spellman, 654 F.2d 1349, 1353 (9th 

Cir. 1981). The Court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 

1915(e)(1), but it will do so only if exceptional circumstances exist. Palmer, 560 F.3d at 970; 

Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986). In making this determination, the 

Court must evaluate the likelihood of success on the merits and the ability of Plaintiff to articulate 

his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. Palmer, 560 F.3d at 970 

(citation and quotation marks omitted); Wilborn, 789 F.2d at 1331. Neither consideration is 

Case 1:14-cv-01932-LJO-GSA Document 42 Filed 05/06/15 Page 1 of 2
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dispositive and they must be viewed together. Palmer, 560 F.3d at 970 (citation and quotation marks 

omitted); Wilborn, 789 F.2d at 1331. 

In the present case, the Court does not find the required exceptional circumstances. Even if it 

is assumed that Plaintiff is not well versed in the law and that he has made serious allegations which, 

if proved, would entitle him to relief, his case is not exceptional. The Court is faced with similar 

cases almost daily. The Court is also unable to find that Plaintiff cannot articulate his claims. 

Therefore, Plaintiff’s request for the appointment of counsel is HEREBY DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 6, 2015 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:14-cv-01932-LJO-GSA Document 42 Filed 05/06/15 Page 2 of 2