Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00157/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00157-3/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

CLARENCE A. GIPBSIN,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-07-0157 MCE EFB P

vs.

SCOTT KERNAN, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

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

See 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On May 9, 2007, plaintiff filed a motion for the appointment of counsel. 

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. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s May 9, 2007, motion for

appointment of counsel is denied.

DATED: June 4, 2007.

Case 2:07-cv-00157-MCE-EFB Document 13 Filed 06/04/07 Page 1 of 1