Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-01333/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-01333-4/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

TRACY STEWART, 

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-06-1333 RRB GGH P

vs.

KEITH HIGGINS, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff, a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, seeks relief

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. By Order, filed on 11/07/06, plaintiff’s claims against certain

defendants were dismissed with plaintiff granted leave to file an amended complaint. By

concurrently filed Findings and Recommendations, this court recommends that plaintiff’s

amended complaint be dismissed. 

The complaint states a cognizable claim for relief against defendants Keith

Higgins and Tevin Tiang Trong, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b). 

Plaintiff has requested the 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

Case 2:06-cv-01333-JAM-GGH Document 34 Filed 03/10/08 Page 1 of 2
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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 requests for the appointment of

counsel will therefore be denied.

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff's July 2, 2007, and July 13, 2007, motions for appointment of counsel

are denied.

3. Service is appropriate for the following defendants: Keith Higgins and Tevin

Tiang Trong.

4. The Clerk of the Court shall send plaintiff two (2) USM-285 forms, one

summons, an instruction sheet and a copy of the complaint filed June 16, 2006.

5. Within thirty days from the date of this order, plaintiff shall complete the

attached Notice of Submission of Documents and submit the following documents to the court:

a. The completed Notice of Submission of Documents;

b. One completed summons;

c. One completed USM-285 form for each defendant listed in number 3

above; and 

d. Three copies of the endorsed complaint filed June 16, 2006. 

6. Plaintiff need not attempt service on defendants and need not request waiver of

service. Upon receipt of the above-described documents, the court will direct the United States 

Marshal to serve the above-named defendants pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4

without payment of costs. 

DATED: 03/07/08 /s/ Gregory G. Hollows

 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

GGH:009

stew1333.1+

Case 2:06-cv-01333-JAM-GGH Document 34 Filed 03/10/08 Page 2 of 2