Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-01038/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-01038-13/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

JEFFREY J. BIGGS,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-05-1038 LKK GGH P

vs.

CALIFORNIA STATE, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a prison inmate proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis with a civil

rights action. On April 20, 2007, plaintiff filed a request for 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.

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Case 2:05-cv-01038-LKK -GGH Document 47 Filed 05/01/07 Page 1 of 2
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Plaintiff has filed a document entitled “request for discovery.” Plaintiff is

informed that court permission is not necessary for discovery requests and that neither discovery

requests served on an opposing party nor that party's responses should be filed until such time as

a party becomes dissatisfied with a response and seeks relief from the court pursuant to the

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Discovery requests between the parties shall not be filed with

the court unless, and until, they are at issue. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s April 20, 2007, motion for appointment of counsel is denied;

2. Plaintiff’s April 20, 2007, request for discovery will be placed in the court file

and disregarded. 

DATED: 5/1/07

/s/ Gregory G. Hollows

GREGORY G. HOLLOWS

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

GGH:mp

bigg1038.31thr

Case 2:05-cv-01038-LKK -GGH Document 47 Filed 05/01/07 Page 2 of 2