Coles v. Cate

Filing 14

ORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Kendall J. Newman on 2/24/11 ORDERING that Plaintiff's request for the appointment of counsel 12 is denied, and Plaintiff's request for a court-appointed investigator 13 is denied. (Becknal, R)

(PC) Coles v. Cate

Doc. 14

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Plaintiff requests the appointment of counsel "so that my interest may be protected and affidavits obtained by the professional assistance required." (Dkt. No. 12.) 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). However, in the present case, based on a review of plaintiff's complaint and his instant request, the court does not find the required exceptional circumstances. Therefore, plaintiff's request for the appointment of counsel is denied. 1
Dockets.Justia.com

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA JAMEEL COLES, Plaintiff, vs. MATTHEW CATE, Secretary, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Defendants. / ORDER No. 2:10-cv-1996 KJN P

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cole1996.31kjn+31c

Plaintiff also requests a court-appointed investigator, on the ground that affidavits will be "central" to proving plaintiff's claims but his ability to contact expert witnesses is limited by plaintiff's incarceration at a Level 4 prison with long lockdowns. Plaintiff asserts that he requires the assistance of an investigator who can obtain the necessary affidavits that will ultimately assist the court in adjudicating this case. (Dkt. No. 13.) The expenditure of public funds on behalf of an indigent litigant is proper only when authorized by Congress. Tedder v. Odel, 890 F.2d 210 (9th Cir. 1989). The in forma pauperis statute does not authorize the expenditure of public funds for investigators. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Therefore, plaintiff's request for a court-appointed investigator is denied. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 1. Plaintiff's February 17, 2011 request for the appointment of counsel (Dkt. No. 12) is denied, and 2. Plaintiff's Februaty 17, 2011 request for a court-appointed investigator (Dkt. No. 13) is denied. DATED: February 24, 2011

_____________________________________ KENDALL J. NEWMAN UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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