Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-00864/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-00864-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Pamela Stickler,

Plaintiff,

v.

California State Police, 

Defendant. 

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Civil No. 12cv864 AJB (BGS)

Order Granting Motion to Proceed In

Forma Pauperis, Dismissing Action

Without Prejudice for Failure to State a

Claim, and Denying Motion for

Appointment of Counsel Without

Prejudice

[Doc. Nos. 2 and 3]

On April 9, 2012, the Plaintiff, Pamela Stickler, a non-prisoner proceeding pro se, commenced

this action against Defendant California State Police. Plaintiff also moves to proceed in forma pauperis

(“IFP”) pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a) and argues that an appointment of counsel is required pursuant

to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). For the following reasons, the Court GRANTS Plaintiff's motion to proceed

IFP, but sua sponte DISMISSES without prejudice her suit for failure to state a claim. Additionally, due

to the dismissal for failure to state a claim the Court denies as premature, without prejudice, Plaintiff’s

motion to appoint counsel. 

Discussion

I. Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis

Plaintiff moves to proceed IFP under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). Section 1915(a) allows a court to

authorize a lawsuit’s commencement without payment of the filing fee if the plaintiff submits an

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affidavit demonstrating his or her inability to pay the filing fee. Such affidavit must include a complete

statement of the plaintiff’s assets. However, an IFP action is subject to dismissal if the court determines

that the complaint is frivolous or malicious, fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or

seeks monetary damages against a defendant who is immune from liability for such damages. 28 U.S.C.

§ 1915(e)(2). When a plaintiff moves to proceed IFP, the court first “grants or denies IFP status based

on the plaintiff's financial resources alone and then independently determines whether to dismiss the

complaint” pursuant to § 1915(e)(2). Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1226 n.5 (9th Cir. 1984). 

Plaintiff has submitted an affidavit in support of her IFP motion indicating that she is unemployed,

receives no assistance or benefits and owns no real or personal property. Accordingly, the Court finds

that Plaintiff meets the § 1915(a) requirements and GRANTS Plaintiff's motion to proceed IFP.

II. Sua Sponte Dismissal for Failure to State a Claim

Plaintiff does not state a specific claim on which relief may be granted. A court may dismiss the

case at any time if the court determines the Plaintiff failed to state a claim on which relief may be

granted pursuant to § 1915(e)(2). Barren v. Harrington, 152 F.3d 1193, 1194 (9th Cir. 1998). A

plaintiff must allege facts, not simply conclusions, that show that an individual was personally involved

in the deprivation of her civil rights. Id. Here the allegations set forth in the Plaintiff’s complaint are

vague conclusions that fail to allege specific constitutional or civil rights violations. Her pleading fails

to state facts against any specific defendant whom allegedly violated her rights. As a result, Plaintiff has

not presented a sufficient basis for a claim on which relief may be granted. The Court DISMISSES her

Complaint without prejudice for failure to state a claim.

III. Motion to Request Appointment of Counsel

Plaintiff argues that an appointment of counsel is required in this case based upon Plaintiff’s

indigent status and complications with law enforcement. “[T]here is no absolute right to counsel in civil

proceedings.” Hedges v. Resolution Trust Corp. (In re Hedges), 32 F.3d 1360, 1363 (9th Cir. 1994)

(citation omitted). Thus, federal courts do not have the authority “to make coercive appointments of

counsel.” Mallard v. United States District Court, 490 U.S. 296, 310 (1989); see also United States v.

$292,888.04 in U.S. Currency, 54 F.3d 564, 569 (9th Cir. 1995). Districts courts have discretion,

however, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1), to “request” that an attorney represent indigent civil

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litigants upon a showing of exceptional circumstances. See Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th

Cir. 1991); Burns v. County of King, 883 F.2d 819, 823 (9th Cir. 1989). “A finding of exceptional

circumstances requires an evaluation of both the ‘likelihood of success on the merits and the ability of

the plaintiff to articulate his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved.’

Neither of these issues is dispositive and both must be viewed together before reaching a decision.’” Id.

(quoting Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986)). 

Here, the Court cannot appoint counsel when Plaintiff has not yet stated a cognizable claim.

Having dismissed the Complaint, the Court concludes that this motion is premature and therefore, there

is no basis for appointment of counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1) at this time. Plaintiff’s motion

to appoint counsel is DENIED without prejudice.

Conclusion

For the reasons set forth above, the Court GRANTS Plaintiff’s motion to proceed IFP but

DISMISSES her Complaint without prejudice for failure to state a claim. Consequently, the Court

DENIES as premature Plaintiff’s motion for appointment of counsel, also without prejudice. Plaintiff

has sixty (60) days to submit an amended Complaint correcting the deficiencies noted herein. Failure to

do so will result in the Court’s dismissal of this case.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: April 13, 2012

Hon. Anthony J. Battaglia

U.S. District Judge

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