Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01515/USCOURTS-caed-1_13-cv-01515-11/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

THOMAS CURSIS ECKMAN,

Plaintiff,

v.

JACKSON,

Defendant.

No. 1:13-cv-01515 DLB PC

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION 

FOR COUNSEL

(Document 36)

Plaintiff Tommy Curtis Eckman (“Plaintiff”), a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in 

forma pauperis in this civil rights action. Plaintiff filed a motion for the appointment of counsel 

on March 7, 2015.

Plaintiff does not have a constitutional right to the appointment of counsel in this action. 

Palmer v. Valdez, 560 F.3d 965, 970 (9th Cir. 2009); Storseth v. Spellman, 654 F.2d 1349, 1353 

(9th Cir. 1981). The Court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(e)(1), but it will do so only if exceptional circumstances exist. Palmer, 560 F.3d at 970; 

Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986). In making this determination, the 

Court must evaluate the likelihood of success on the merits and the ability of Plaintiff to articulate 

his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. Palmer, 560 F.3d at 970 

(citation and quotation marks omitted); Wilborn, 789 F.2d at 1331. Neither consideration is 

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Case 1:13-cv-01515-GSA Document 37 Filed 03/11/16 Page 1 of 2
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dispositive and they must be viewed together. Palmer, 560 F.3d at 970 (citation and quotation 

marks omitted); Wilborn 789 F.2d at 1331. 

In the present case, the Court does not find the required exceptional circumstances. Even 

if it is assumed that Plaintiff is not well versed in the law and that he has made serious allegations 

which, if proved, would entitle him to relief, his case is not exceptional. The Court is faced with 

similar cases almost daily. At this early stage of the proceedings, the Court cannot determine the 

likelihood of success on the merits, and Plaintiff appears capable of adequately articulating his 

claims. 

Plaintiff also requests counsel because he has a psychiatric diagnosis and takes 

medication, and he submitted medical records for the Court’s review. The Court has reviewed the 

medical records and while it appears that Plaintiff is taking Celexa for depressive disorder and is 

in the Mental Health Services Delivery System, the records indicate that Plaintiff is relatively 

stable and can communicate adequately. Treatment notes from November 2015 indicate that 

Plaintiff was alert and oriented, with normal speech and good insight, judgment and cognition.

Accordingly, Plaintiff’s motion is HEREBY DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 11, 2016 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:13-cv-01515-GSA Document 37 Filed 03/11/16 Page 2 of 2