Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00538/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00538-3/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

RANDALL BROWN,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-05-0538 DFL JFM P

vs.

R.L. CLARK, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

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 will therefore be denied.

Plaintiff has been granted leave to proceed with this action in forma pauperis

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. 

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Case 2:05-cv-00538-RRB -JFM Document 22 Filed 11/29/05 Page 1 of 2
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On October 28, 2005, plaintiff filed a request for a private investigator and expert

witnesses. The expenditure of public funds on behalf of an indigent litigant is proper only when

authorized by Congress. Tedder v. Odel, 890 F.2d 210 (9th Cir. 1989). The in forma pauperis

statute does not authorize the expenditure of public funds for private investigator and expert

witnesses. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s October 28, 2005 request for the appointment of counsel is denied;

and

2. Plaintiff’s request for a private investigator and expert witnesses filed October

28, 2005 is denied.

DATED: November 28, 2005. 

/kf:001

brow0538.31+

Case 2:05-cv-00538-RRB -JFM Document 22 Filed 11/29/05 Page 2 of 2