Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-00308/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-00308-13/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

PATRICK OTIS NELSON,

Plaintiff, No. 2:09-cv-0308 KJM CKD P

vs.

MURPHY, ORDER

Defendant. 

 /

Plaintiff, a state prisoner proceeding pro se with a civil rights complaint filed

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, has requested the appointment of counsel to represent him at the

settlement conference scheduled for February 7, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. before the Honorable

Magistrate Judge Nandor J. Vadas. Defendant opposes the motion.

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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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s emergency motion to

appoint counsel (Dkt. No. 70) is DENIED.

Dated: January 7, 2013

_____________________________________

CAROLYN K. DELANEY

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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nels0308.31

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