Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-05998/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-05998-1/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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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOHNNIE R. LEDBETTER,

Plaintiff, 

 v.

Sergeant KYM and Deputy GRAHAM, 

Defendants. /

No. C 06-5998 WHA (PR) 

ORDER VACATING DEFENDANTS’

NOTICE OF HEARING AND

DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION

FOR COUNSEL

This is a civil rights case filed by a state prisoner. Defendants have filed a motion to

dismiss and noticed the motion for hearing on September 4, 2008. The order of service stated

that no hearing would be held on dispositive motions unless the Court so ordered, which it has

not done. The hearing date is VACATED.

Plaintiff has moved for appointment of counsel. There is no constitutional right to

counsel in a civil case. Lassiter v. Dep't of Social Services, 452 U.S. 18, 25 (1981). District

courts have only the power to "request" that counsel represent a litigant who is proceeding in

forma pauperis. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). This does not give the courts the power to make

"coercive appointments of counsel." Mallard v. United States Dist. Court, 490 U.S. 296, 310

(1989). In short, the Court has only the power to ask pro bono counsel to represent plaintiff, not

the power to “appoint” counsel.

Plaintiff has presented his claims effectively, and the issues, at least at this stage, are not

complex. The motion (document number 11 on the docket) is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 2 , 2008. 

WILLIAM ALSUP

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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Case 3:06-cv-05998-WHA Document 22 Filed 09/02/08 Page 1 of 1