Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_16-cv-01367/USCOURTS-casd-3_16-cv-01367-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 26:7405 IRS: Action for recovery of refunds erroneously made

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8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

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SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

11 HENRY P. CASTRO, 

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v. 

SOCIAL SECURITY 

ADMINISTRATION, 

Plaintiff, 

Defendant. 

Case No.: 3:16-cv-1367-BEN-WVG 

ORDER: 

(1) GRANTING MOTION TO 

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS; 

AND 

(2) DENYING MOTION FOR 

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL 

18 Before this Court are Motions to Proceed In Forma Pauperis ("IFP") and for 

19 Appointment of Counsel, filed by Plaintiff Henry P. Castro, who is proceeding pro se. 

20 (Docket Nos. 2, 3.) Plaintiff filed a Complaint seeking judicial review of a decision by 

21 the Commissioner of Social Security denying his application for disability benefits. 

22 (Docket No. 1.) 

23 I. Motion to Proceed IFP 

24 All parties instituting any civil action, suit, or proceeding in a district court of the 

25 United States, except an application for a writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing fee. 28 

26 U.S.C. § 1914(a). An action may proceed despite a plaintiffs failure to prepay the entire 

27 fee only ifhe is granted leave to proceed IFP pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). Under 28 

28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(I), 

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[A ]ny court of the United States may authorize the commencement, 

prosecution or defense of any suit, action or proceeding ... without 

prepayment of fees or security therefor, by a person who submits an affidavit 

that includes a statement of all assets such [person] possesses that the person 

is unable to pay such fees or give security therefor. 

It appears Plaintiff receives less than $500 per month in food stamps and other 

6 benefits. Plaintiff has earned no employment income in the last twelve months and is 

7 currently homeless. Plaintiff has adequately stated that he cannot afford to pay the filing 

8 fee. Accordingly, Plaintiffs IFP Motion is GRANTED. 

9 The Court orders the Clerk to issue the summons and provide Plaintiff with an 

10 "IFP Package," consisting of (1) this Order, (2) a certified copy ofthe Complaint, (3) the 

11 summons, and (4) a blank USM Form 285. Plaintiff shall complete the Form 285 and 

12 forward it to the U.S. Marshal. The U.S. Marshal shall serve a copy of the Complaint and 

13 summons upon Defendant, as directed by Plaintiff on Form 285. See 28 U.S.C. § 

14 1915( d). All costs of service shall be advanced by the United States. Plaintiff shall serve 

15 upon Defendant or, if appearance has been entered by counsel, upon Defendant's 

16 counsel, a copy of every further pleading or other document submitted for consideration 

17 of the Court. Plaintiff shall include with the original paper to be filed with the Clerk of 

18 the Court a certificate stating the manner in which a true and correct copy of any 

19 document was served on the Defendant or counsel of Defendant and the date of service. 

20 Any paper received by a district judge or magistrate judge which has not been filed with 

21 the Clerk or which fails to include a Certificate of Service will be disregarded. 

22 II. Motion to Appoint Counsel 

23 Courts have discretion, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1), to appoint counsel for 

24 indigent civil litigants upon a showing of exceptional circumstances. "A finding of 

25 exceptional circumstances requires an evaluation of both the likelihood of success on the 

26 merits and the ability of the petitioner to articulate his claims pro se in light of the 

27 complexity of the legal issues involved." Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th 

28 Cir. 1991) (internal citations omitted). "Neither of these factors is dispositive and both 

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1 must be viewed together before reaching a decision." Id. (internal citations omitted). 

2 Furthermore, "[m]erely alleging indigence is insufficient to entitle [plaintiff] to appointed 

3 counsel; he must also demonstrate that he made a good faith effort, but was unable, to 

4 obtain counsel." Garcia v. Smith, No.1 0-cv-1187, 2012 WL 2499003, at *4 (S.D. Cal. 

5 June 27, 2012). 

6 Exceptional circumstances do not exist in this case. First, Plaintiff has not 

7 addressed the likelihood of success on the merits. Nor is a likelihood of success evident 

8 from the face of the Complaint. Second, Plaintiff's motion for appointment of counsel 

9 fails to explain how the complexity of his action would prevent him from articulating his 

10 claims pro se. Finally, although Plaintiff has established his indigence by successfully 

11 obtaining IFP status, appointing counsel to represent Plaintiff would be inappropriate 

12 because he has failed to demonstrate that he made any efforts to obtain counsel. 

13 Therefore, Plaintiff's request for appointment of counsel is DENIED. 

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15 IT IS SO ORDERED. 

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17 Dated: Jun;b-,2016 

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HON.)"'......,~ ........ BENITEZ 

Unitea States District Judge 

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