Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-00119/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-00119-0/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

HERBERT O. ALLEN JR.,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-08-0119 MCE EFB P

vs.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF

CORRECTIONS, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

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

See 42 U.S.C. § 1983. He has requested that the court appoint 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 January 17, 2008, request for

appointment of counsel is denied.

DATED: March 6, 2008.

Case 2:08-cv-00119-DAE-KSC Document 7 Filed 03/06/08 Page 1 of 1