Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_02-cv-02621/USCOURTS-caed-2_02-cv-02621-11/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

CLEO WESTERFIELD,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-02-2621 MCE GGH P

vs.

DR. PENNER, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff has filed a request for appointment of counsel. Although plaintiff has

characterized this action in his request as one proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, this is a

civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

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. Plaintiff’s

request for the appointment of counsel will therefore be denied.

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Case 2:02-cv-02621-MCE -GGH Document 127 Filed 04/25/06 Page 1 of 2
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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s March 28, 2006 request

for the appointment of counsel is denied.

DATED: 4/25/06

/s/ Gregory G. Hollows

GREGORY G. HOLLOWS

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

GGH:bb

west2621.31

 

Case 2:02-cv-02621-MCE -GGH Document 127 Filed 04/25/06 Page 2 of 2