Rooks v. Bradley et al

Filing 36

ORDER denying 33 Motion for Contempt and for Appointment of Counsel. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jerome T. Kearney on 08/18/2014. (rhm)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
WESTERN DIVISION
WAYNE ROOKS, JR.,
ADC #123435
v.

PLAINTIFF

4:14CV00149-DPM-JTK

DAVID BRADLEY, et al.

DEFENDANTS
ORDER

This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff’s Motion for Contempt and for the Appointment
of Counsel (Doc. No. 33). Defendants responded in opposition to the Motion (Doc. No. 34).
In his Motion, Plaintiff complains that although he signed a medical release form,
Defendants improperly obtained his medical records from the Department of Human Services and
the Arkansas Department of Correction (ADC).1 He claims Defendants acted maliciously, and asks
them to return the files and be held in contempt of Court. He also asks the Court to appoint counsel
to represent him.
In their Response, Defendants state that although FED.R.CIV.P. 37 provides for sanctions
related to discovery matters, they have complied with all Plaintiff’s discovery requests. They note
that Plaintiff submitted a valid medical authorization form, permitting them to obtain copies of his
relevant medical records. While Plaintiff’s complaint concerns his medical care and treatment while
at the (Jail), records from the ADC are relevant to determine if he continues to receive treatment for
any injuries allegedly suffered while at the Jail. Defendants state they have provided Plaintiff with
copies of all medical records they have received, and that Plaintiff’s Motion should be denied.

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Plaintiff is incarcerated at the East Arkansas Regional Unit of the ADC. He filed this
action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sect. 1983 based on his alleged inadequate medical care and
treatment while at the Van Buren County Detention Center (Jail).
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The Court finds no discovery violation and no violation of a Court Order by Defendants;
therefore, Plaintiff’s request that they be held in contempt of Court is denied. Furthermore, Plaintiff
placed his medical condition at issue by filing this lawsuit and he admits he signed a form
authorizing Defendants to obtain his medical records. Defendants shall limit the use of such records
to that which is relevant only to the issues set forth in the case. Therefore, Plaintiff’s Motion for
Contempt should be denied.
With respect to Plaintiff’s Motion for Counsel, while a pro se litigant has no statutory or
constitutional right to appointed counsel in a civil case, Stevens v. Redwing, 146 F.3d 538, 546 (8th
Cir. 1998), the Court may, in its discretion, appoint counsel for non-frivolous claims where “the
nature of the litigation is such that plaintiff as well as the court will benefit from the assistance of
counsel.” Johnson v. Williams, 788 F.2d 1319, 1322 (8th Cir. 1986). In evaluating the plaintiff’s
request in Johnson, the Court considered four factors: (1) the factual and legal complexity of the
case; (2) the plaintiff's ability to investigate the facts; (3) the presence or absence of conflicting
testimony; and (4) the plaintiff's ability to present his claims. Id. at 1322-23.
Having considered the above factors, the Court finds that Plaintiff’s motion should be denied
at this time. Plaintiff’s claims are not legally or factually complex, and the record demonstrates
Plaintiff is capable of proceeding without the benefit of appointed counsel. Accordingly,
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion for Contempt and for the
Appointment of Counsel (Doc. No. 33) is DENIED.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 18th day of August, 2014.

______________________________________
JEROME T. KEARNEY
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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