Walker v. Whitten et al

Filing 61

ORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Gregory G. Hollows on 7/27/2011 DENYING plaintiff's 57 Motion for Appointment of Counsel. (Marciel, M)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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JEFFREY E. WALKER,
Plaintiff,

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vs.

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No. CIV S-09-0642 WBS GGH (TEMP) P

A.H. WHITTEN, et al.,
Defendants.

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ORDER
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Plaintiff has requested the appointment of counsel. The United States Supreme

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Court has ruled that district courts lack authority to require counsel to represent indigent

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prisoners in § 1983 cases. Mallard v. United States Dist. Court, 490 U.S. 296, 298 (1989). In

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certain exceptional circumstances, the court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel

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pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991);

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Wood v. Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1335-36 (9th Cir. 1990). In the present case, the court

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does not find the required exceptional circumstances. The issues are not complicated factually

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speaking, nor is the law unusually complicated. Plaintiff has shown sufficient ability to articulate

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his claims. Plaintiff’s request for the appointment of counsel will therefore be denied.

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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s request for the

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appointment of counsel (Docket No. 57) is denied.

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DATED: July 27, 2011
/s/ Gregory G. Hollows
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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GGH:md

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walk0642.31

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