Lee v. Smithart et al (INMATE 2)

Filing 10

ORDER denying 9 Motion to Appoint Counsel. Signed by Honorable Charles S. Coody on 12/1/09. (br, )

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA NORTHERN DIVISION ____________________________ RASHAD LEE, #213 823 Plaintiff, v. L.B. SMITHART, et al., Defendants. ____________________________ * * * * * 2:09-CV-879-MHT (WO) ORDER ON MOTION Pending before the court is Plaintiff's request for appointment of counsel. A plaintiff in a civil case has no constitutional right to counsel. While an indigent plaintiff may be appointed counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1), a court retains broad discretion in making this decision. See Killian v. Holt, 166 F.3d 1156, 1157 (11th Cir.1999). Here, the court finds from its review of the complaint that Plaintiff is able to adequately articulate the facts and grounds for relief in the instant matter without notable difficulty. Furthermore, the court concludes that Plaintiff's complaint is not of undue complexity and that he has not shown that there are exceptional circumstances justifying appointment of counsel. See Kilgo v. Ricks, 983 F.2d 189, 193 (11th Cir. 1993); Dean v. Barber, 951 F.2d 1210, 1216 (11th Cir. 1992); see also Fowler v. Jones, 899 F.2d 1088, 1096 (11th Cir. 1990). Therefore, in the exercise of its discretion, the court shall deny Plaintiff's request for appointment of counsel at this time. The request may be reconsidered if warranted by further developments in this case. Accordingly, it is ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion for Appointment of Counsel (Doc. No. 9), is DENIED. Done, this 1st day of December 2009. /s/ Charles S. Coody CHARLES S. COODY UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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