Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-01500/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-01500-7/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

John Fratus, 

Plaintiff, 

vs.

Sergeant Peterson, et al., 

Defendants. 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

No. CV-08-01500-ROS

ORDER

Plaintiff seeks an extension of time to respond to Defendants’ answer. Plaintiff also

seeks reconsideration of the order denying his request to appoint counsel. For the following

reasons, both requests will be denied.

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 7 permits the filing of a reply to an answer only “if

the court orders one.” The Court has not ordered a reply. Thus, Plaintiff is not free to file

one. Plaintiff’s request for additional time to file a reply is inappropriate and will be denied.

The Court will appoint counsel in “exceptional circumstances.” Agyeman v.

Corrections Corp. of Am., 390 F.3d 1101, 1103 (9th Cir. 2004). In determining whether such

circumstances exist, the Court must evaluate “the likelihood of the plaintiff’s success on the

merits” and “the plaintiff’s ability to articulate his claims.” Id. Plaintiff’s latest filings show

he is able to set forth his position in an understandable manner. Morever, this case is not

Case 1:08-cv-01500-ROS Document 54 Filed 08/25/10 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

- 2 -

unusually complex. Thus, exceptional circumstances do not exist which would merit

appointment of counsel.

Accordingly,

IT IS ORDERED the Motion for Extension of Time and to Reconsider to Appoint

Counsel (Doc. 53) is DENIED.

DATED this 24th day of August, 2010.

Case 1:08-cv-01500-ROS Document 54 Filed 08/25/10 Page 2 of 2