Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-02136/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-02136-28/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

1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BRADY ARMSTRONG,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-04-2136 GEB EFB P

vs.

D. L. RUNNELS, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a prisoner without counsel seeking relief for alleged civil rights violations. 

See 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On March 21, 2007, he filed a document styled, “Notice of Motion for

Attorney and Typewriter Use.” He asserts that he suffered a stroke on January 3, 2007, and

therefore requires counsel’s assistance and access to a typewriter.

District courts lack authority to require counsel to represent indigent prisoners in

section 1983 cases. Mallard v. United States Dist. Court, 490 U.S. 296, 298 (1989). In

exceptional circumstances, the court may request counsel voluntarily to represent such a

plaintiff. 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). The court finds that there are no

exceptional circumstances in this case. 

////

Case 2:04-cv-02136-GEB-EFB Document 151 Filed 05/21/07 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

2

Plaintiff’s request for an order directing that he be given access to a typewriter also must

be denied. He has not alleged that he has requested such access and that an identified official

has denied the request. 

In light of the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff's March 21, 2007, motion

is denied. 

DATED: May 21, 2007.

Case 2:04-cv-02136-GEB-EFB Document 151 Filed 05/21/07 Page 2 of 2