Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_09-cv-01616/USCOURTS-azd-2_09-cv-01616-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Jeremy Joseph Kent, 

Plaintiff, 

vs.

D. O. Cummings, et al., 

Defendants. 

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No. CV-09-1616-PHX-LOA

ORDER

This matter arises on Plaintiff’s Motion for the Appointment of Counsel. (docket #

66) There is no constitutional right to appointment of counsel in a civil case. Johnson v. U.S.

Dep't of Treasury, 939 F.2d 820, 824 (9th Cir. 1991). Appointment of counsel in a civil rights

case is required only when exceptional circumstances are present. Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d

1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991) (citing Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986)).

In determining whether to appoint counsel, the court should consider the likelihood of success

on the merits, and the ability of plaintiff to articulate his claims in view of their complexity.

Wood v. Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1335 (9th Cir. 1990). 

In support of his motion, Plaintiff claims that he has inadequate access to legal

materials and needs assistance in discovery. Plaintiff has not, however, demonstrated a

likelihood of success on the merits, nor has he shown that he is experiencing difficulty in

litigating this case because of the complexity of the issues involved. The Court will deny

Plaintiff's motion to appoint counsel because no exceptional circumstances exist in this case.

Case 2:09-cv-01616-JWS Document 70 Filed 06/24/10 Page 1 of 2
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The Court may revisit this issue if it deems the appointment of counsel necessary to assist

Plaintiff during trial. 

Accordingly,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion for Appointment of Counsel

(docket # 66) is DENIED without prejudice.

DATED this 24th day of June, 2010.

Case 2:09-cv-01616-JWS Document 70 Filed 06/24/10 Page 2 of 2