Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-02255/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-02255-8/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GEORGE JOHNSON, 

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-04-2255 LKK EFB P

vs.

JOSEPH SHERMAN, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis with a civil rights

action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1983. 

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 court does not

find the required exceptional circumstances. Plaintiff’s request for the appointment of counsel is

therefore denied.

/////

Case 2:04-cv-02255-LKK -EFB Document 46 Filed 12/08/06 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

2

Plaintiff requests an extension of time to file and serve his motion for summary

judgment. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b). Good cause appearing, plaintiff’s request is granted. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s November 14, 2006, request for the appointment of counsel is denied.

2. Plaintiff’s November 14, 2006 request for an extension of time is granted and plaintiff

has 30 days from the date this order is served to file and serve his motion for summary judgment.

DATED: December 7, 2006.

Case 2:04-cv-02255-LKK -EFB Document 46 Filed 12/08/06 Page 2 of 2