Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-cv-01652/USCOURTS-caed-2_15-cv-01652-0/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

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RICHERD WRIGHT,

Plaintiff,

v.

CFMG, INC., et al.,

Defendants.

No. 2: 15-cv-1652 KJN P

ORDER

Plaintiff is a prisoner, proceeding without counsel. Plaintiff seeks relief pursuant to 42 

U.S.C. § 1983, and has requested leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915. This proceeding was referred to this court by Local Rule 302 pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 

§ 636(b)(1). 

Plaintiff’s form complaint is signed by both plaintiff and inmate Rod Ireland. However, 

the declaration submitted in support of the complaint is signed only by inmate Ireland. The in 

forma pauperis application is also signed by inmate Ireland only. Inmate Ireland has also 

separately filed a motion to be appointed as plaintiff’s guardian ad litem. This motion is also 

signed by plaintiff. 

The undersigned first finds that inmate Ireland, who is not an attorney, cannot represent 

plaintiff in this action. See Simon v. Hartford Life, Inc., 546 F.3d 661, 664 (9th Cir. 2008) 

(privilege to represent oneself pro is personal to litigant and does not extend to other 

Case 2:15-cv-01652-KJN Document 7 Filed 08/20/15 Page 1 of 3
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parties/entities); Johns v. County of San Diego, 114 F.3d 874, 876 (9th Cir. 1997) (nonattorney 

may appear pro se on own behalf, but has no authority to appear as an attorney for others than 

himself). 

Rule 17(c)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that, 

A minor or an incompetent person who does not have a duly 

appointed representative may sue by a next friend or by a guardian 

ad litem. The court must appoint a guardian ad litem— or issue 

another appropriate order—to protect a minor or incompetent 

person who is unrepresented in an action.

The request for appointment of inmate Ireland to act as plaintiff’s guardian ad litem is 

denied because it does not appear that inmate Ireland is qualified to act as plaintiff’s guardian ad 

litem. 

To the extent plaintiff requests appointment of a qualified ad litem, this request is denied 

because the request is not well supported. Plaintiff requests appointment of a guardian ad litem

because he is incompetent “by reason of lack of education and mental disabilities.” (ECF No. 3 at 

2.) Plaintiff’s lack of education does not render him incompetent. Without having additional 

information regarding plaintiff’s mental disabilities, the court cannot determine whether plaintiff 

is actually incompetent. Accordingly, plaintiff’s motion for appointment of a guardian ad litem is 

denied.

Because plaintiff Wright did not sign the declaration submitted in support of the complaint 

or the in forma pauperis application, both of these documents are disregarded. Plaintiff Wright is 

granted thirty days to file a signed amended complaint and in forma pauperis affidavit on his own 

behalf.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s complaint and the in forma pauperis application (ECF Nos. 1, 2) are 

disregarded; plaintiff is granted thirty days to file an amended complaint and in forma pauperis 

application; failure to file these documents will result in a recommendation of dismissal of this 

action;

2. Plaintiff’s motion for appointment of a guardian ad litem (ECF No. 3) is denied;

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3. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send plaintiff Wright a form for a civil rights 

complaint and an application to proceed in forma pauperis for a prisoner.

Dated: August 20, 2015

Wr1652.ord

Case 2:15-cv-01652-KJN Document 7 Filed 08/20/15 Page 3 of 3