Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-03549/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-03549-2/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

TONY AUSTIN GANT,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-09-3549 EFB P

vs.

SHASTA COUNTY DEPARTMENT

OF SOCIAL SERVICES, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding without counsel in an action brought under 42

U.S.C. § 1983. This proceeding was referred to this court by Local Rule 302 pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and is before the undersigned pursuant to plaintiff’s consent. See 28 U.S.C.

§ 636; see also E.D. Cal. Local Rules, Appx. A, at (k)(4).

This is the court’s third and final order instructing plaintiff that to proceed with this

action he must submit a completed affidavit as required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1). It is not

sufficient for plaintiff merely to sign the affidavit without also responding to the questions asked

therein. 

Plaintiff 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

Case 2:09-cv-03549-EFB Document 9 Filed 03/02/10 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

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:

1. Within 30 days of the date this order is served, plaintiff must submit a completed

affidavit in support of his application to proceed in forma pauperis. Failure to comply with this

order will result in dismissal. 

2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to mail to plaintiff a form application for leave to

proceed in forma pauperis. 

3. Plaintiff’s February 22, 2010 request for appointment of counsel is denied.

DATED: March 2, 2010.

Case 2:09-cv-03549-EFB Document 9 Filed 03/02/10 Page 2 of 2