Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-00727/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-00727-0/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

ROBERT TUNSTALL,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-06-0727 LKK PAN P

vs.

M. VEAL, Warden, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, has filed a civil rights action pursuant

to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff has not, however, filed an in forma pauperis affidavit or paid the

required filing fee. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1914(a), 1915(a). Plaintiff will be provided the opportunity

either to submit the appropriate affidavit in support of a request to proceed in forma pauperis or

to submit the appropriate filing fee.

In addition, plaintiff has requested the appointment of counsel. 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

Case 2:06-cv-00727-LKK -EFB Document 4 Filed 04/11/06 Page 1 of 2
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court does not find the required exceptional circumstances. Plaintiff’s request for the

appointment of counsel will therefore be denied.

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff shall submit, within thirty days from the date of this order, an affidavit

in support of his request to proceed in forma pauperis on the form provided by the Clerk of

Court, or the appropriate filing fee; plaintiff's failure to comply with this order will result in the

dismissal of this action; 

2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send plaintiff a new Application to

Proceed In Forma Pauperis By a Prisoner; and

3. Plaintiff’s April 4, 2006 request for the appointment of counsel is denied.

DATED: April 7, 2006.

/mp:001

tuns0727.3a+31

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