Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_15-cv-01871/USCOURTS-casd-3_15-cv-01871-5/pdf.json

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

---

- 1 -

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

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TONY ROBERTS,

Plaintiff,

vs.

S. HENSLEY, et al.,

Defendants.

CASE NO. 15cv1871-LAB (BLM)

ORDER DENYING STAY

Pro se prisoner Tony Roberts asks the Court to extend the five-month stay in this 

case for another five months. The Court must “balance the length of any stay against the 

strength of the justification given for it.” Yong v. I.N.S., 208 F.3d 1116, 1119 (9th Cir. 2000).

Roberts asks for another stay to allow “his medical condition to stabilize” while he undergoes 

outpatient treatment for mental health issues. But Roberts admits that he’s battled with these 

psychiatric issues for the last 17 years—the Court can’t grant a stay every time Roberts’ 

psychiatric problems flare up. Roberts has had two years to litigate his case. And the Court

already stayed the case to allow Roberts to recover from his March hospitalization. The 

motion to stay the action is denied. See Clinton v. Jones, 520 U.S. 681, 706 (1997) (“District 

Court has broad discretion to stay proceedings as an incident to its power to control its own 

docket.”).

The Court also denies Roberts’ request to appoint counsel. The Constitution only 

provides a right to counsel in a civil case when loss of liberty is at stake. Lassiter v. Dep’t of 

Case 3:15-cv-01871-LAB-BLM Document 59 Filed 07/25/17 PageID.<pageID> Page 1 of 2
- 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

27

28

Soc. Servs., 452 U.S. 18, 25 (1981). That’s not the case here. And Roberts failed to show 

exceptional circumstances exist that would warrant appointment of counsel. He’s managed 

to file motions and pursue his case for the past two years. While the Court recognizes he’s 

not in ideal shape to litigate a lawsuit, he chose to bring this action. And he’s worked 

effectively with Tommy Boyden to file intelligent briefing on his last two requests for a stay.

The motion to appoint counsel is denied. See Meeks v. Nunez, 2017 WL 476425, at *4 (S.D. 

Cal. Feb. 6, 2017).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 25, 2017

HONORABLE LARRY ALAN BURNS

United States District Judge

Case 3:15-cv-01871-LAB-BLM Document 59 Filed 07/25/17 PageID.<pageID> Page 2 of 2