Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_12-cv-01327/USCOURTS-caed-2_12-cv-01327-1/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

DEON CARROLL,

Plaintiff, No. 2:12-cv-1327 KJN P

vs.

TIM VIRGA, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff filed a motion for extension of time to file an application for leave to

proceed in forma pauperis and the certified copy of his prison trust account statement, as required

by this court’s May 30, 2012 order. Good cause appearing, plaintiff’s motion is granted. 

Plaintiff is cautioned, however, that failure to comply with this order may result in the dismissal

of this action.

Plaintiff also requests 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 an

attorney to voluntarily to represent such a plaintiff. See 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). When determining whether “exceptional circumstances” exist, the court must

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consider plaintiff’s likelihood of success on the merits as well as the ability of the plaintiff to

articulate his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. Palmer v.

Valdez, 560 F.3d 965, 970 (9th Cir. 2009) (district court did not abuse discretion in declining to

appoint counsel). The burden of demonstrating exceptional circumstances is on the plaintiff. Id. 

Circumstances common to most prisoners, such as lack of legal education and limited law library

access, do not establish exceptional circumstances that warrant a request for voluntary assistance

of counsel. 

Plaintiff has not yet submitted the documents necessary to determine whether he

is entitled to proceed in forma pauperis, and the court has not yet screened the complaint

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. Therefore, the court is unable to determine plaintiff’s likelihood

of success on the merits. The court finds that plaintiff has failed to meet his burden of

demonstrating exceptional circumstances warranting the appointment of counsel at this time.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s July 9, 2012 motion for an extension of time (dkt. no. 6) is granted; 

2. Plaintiff is granted thirty days in which to comply with this court’s May 30,

2012 order; and

3. Plaintiff’s July 9, 2012 motion for the appointment of counsel is denied

without prejudice.

DATED: July 19, 2012

_____________________________________

KENDALL J. NEWMAN

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

carr1327.36

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