Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-01939/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-01939-0/pdf.json

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

---

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

DAMON ALAN HAMILTON,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-05-1939 FCD KJM P

vs.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT

OF CORRECTIONS,

Defendant. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with an action for violation of civil

rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The court is required to screen complaints brought by prisoners

seeking relief against a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28

U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The court has screened plaintiff’s complaint and finds that service of process

is appropriate for defendants Flippo, Ritter, Caviness, Branson and Bull. The complaint states a

cognizable claim for relief under the Eighth Amendment under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and 28 U.S.C.

§ 1915A(b). If the allegations of the complaint are proven, plaintiff has a reasonable opportunity

to prevail on the merits of this action.

Plaintiff has filed a request for 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

Case 2:05-cv-01939-FCD-KJM Document 13 Filed 05/02/06 Page 1 of 4
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

(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 second request for the

appointment of counsel will therefore be denied.

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Service is appropriate for defendants Flippo, Ritter, Caviness, Branson and

Bull. 

2. The Clerk of the Court shall send plaintiff five USM-285 forms, one summons,

an instruction sheet and a copy of the complaint filed July 29, 2005.

3. Within thirty days from the date of this order, plaintiff shall complete the

attached Notice of Submission of Documents and submit the following documents to the court:

a. The completed Notice of Submission of Documents;

b. One completed summons;

c. One completed USM-285 form for each defendant listed in number 1

above; and 

d. Six copies of the endorsed amended complaint filed July 29, 2005. 

4. Plaintiff need not attempt service on defendants and need not request waiver of

service. Upon receipt of the above-described documents, the court will direct the United States 

/////

/////

/////

/////

/////

/////

/////

Case 2:05-cv-01939-FCD-KJM Document 13 Filed 05/02/06 Page 2 of 4
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

3

Marshal to serve the above-named defendants pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4

without payment of costs. 

5. Plaintiff’s October 26, 2005 request for the appointment of counsel is denied.

DATED: May 1, 2006.

______________________________________

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

1

hami1939.1

Case 2:05-cv-01939-FCD-KJM Document 13 Filed 05/02/06 Page 3 of 4
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

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DAMON ALAN HAMILTON

Plaintiff, No. CIV-S-05-1939 FCD KJM P 

vs.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF NOTICE OF SUBMISSION

CORRECTIONS, et al.,

OF DOCUMENTS

Defendants.

 /

Plaintiff hereby submits the following documents in compliance with the court's

order filed :

 1 completed summons form

 5 completed USM-285 forms

 6 copies of the 7/29/05 

 Complaint

DATED: 

 

Plaintiff

Case 2:05-cv-01939-FCD-KJM Document 13 Filed 05/02/06 Page 4 of 4