Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_10-cv-00611/USCOURTS-caed-1_10-cv-00611-0/pdf.json

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

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ELVIS JOHN CABRERA,

Plaintiff,

v.

THOMAS M. MADDOCK, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

CASE NO. 1:10-cv-611-OWW-MJS (PC)

ORDER DENYING MOTION TO APPOINT

COUNSEL

(Doc. 3)

Plaintiff Elvis John Cabrera (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in

forma pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Before the Court

is Plaintiff’s Motion for Appointment of Counsel (Doc. 3). 

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

District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, 490 U.S. 296, 298, 109 S.Ct. 1814, 1816

(1989). In certain exceptional circumstances, the Court may request the voluntary

assistance of counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). Rand v. Rowland, 113 F.3d

1520, 1525 (9th Cir. 1997). Without a reasonable method of securing and compensating

counsel, this court will seek volunteer counsel only in the most serious and exceptional

cases.

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

See Rand, 113 F.3d at 1525. Even if it is assumed that Plaintiff is not well-versed in the

Case 1:10-cv-00611-LJO-MJS Document 8 Filed 06/17/10 Page 1 of 2
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law and that he has made serious allegations which, if proved, would entitle him to relief,

his case is not exceptional. This Court is faced with similar cases almost daily. 

Accordingly, Plaintiff’s Motion for Appointment of Counsel (Doc. 3) is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 16, 2010 /s/Michael J. Seng 

ci4d6 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:10-cv-00611-LJO-MJS Document 8 Filed 06/17/10 Page 2 of 2