Moore v. Price
Filing
63
ORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Deborah Barnes on 11/8/2017 DENYING plaintiff's 54 motion to waive notarization fees for documents to be filed with the court; DENYING without prejudice plaintiff's 62 motion requesting the issuance of a scheduling order that permits the calendaring of a settlement conference; DENYING without prejudice plaintiff's 58 , 61 , 62 motions for the appointment of counsel during settlement proceedings; and within 10 days, defense counsel shall file a statement informing the court whether defendants believe a settlement conference is warranted at this time. (Yin, K)
1
2
3
4
5
6
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
7
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
8
9
KEVIN MOORE,
10
Plaintiff,
11
12
No. 2:14-cv-1232 TLN DB P
v.
ORDER
PRICE, et al.,
13
Defendants.
14
Plaintiff, a state prisoner proceeding pro se with a civil rights action, has made the
15
16
following requests of the court: (1) that it waive costs for the notarization of documents that he
17
files with the court (ECF No. 54); (2) that it issue a scheduling order that permits the calendaring
18
of a scheduling conference (ECF No. 62), and (3), that he be appointed counsel for any future
19
settlement conference (ECF Nos. 58, 61, and 62).
Plaintiff has requested that the court waive costs for the notarization of documents that he
20
21
files with the court given that he has been granted in forma pauperis status. (ECF No. 54).
22
However, “the granting of IFP status exempts litigants from filing fees only. It does not exempt
23
litigants from the costs of copying and filing documents [or] service of documents other than the
24
complaint.” Porter v. Dept. of Treasury, 564 F.3d 176, n.3 (3rd Cir. 2009) (brackets added)
25
(citing 28 U.S.C. § 1915(f)(1)); Beckely v. Raith, No. C 13-02707 WHA, 2013 WL 5568237
26
(N.D. Cal. October 9, 2013) (citing Porter). Consequently, plaintiff’s fee waiver request is
27
denied.
28
////
1
1
Plaintiff has also requested that the court issue a scheduling order that permits the
2
calendaring of a settlement conference. (ECF No. 62). In support of this request, plaintiff
3
indicates that on September 20, 2017, counsel for defendants contacted him with a settlement
4
offer which he rejected. (Id. at 2). In light of these facts, it appears that both parties may be
5
amenable to the option of settlement of this case. Therefore, within 10 days of receipt of this
6
order, defense counsel is ordered to indicate to the court whether defendants believe a formal
7
settlement conference is warranted at this time.
8
Plaintiff has also renewed his request for appointment of counsel several times.
9
Specifically, plaintiff has requested appointment of counsel for any future settlement conference
10
proceedings that may be scheduled by the court. (ECF Nos. 58, 61, and 62). The United States
11
Supreme Court has ruled that district courts lack authority to require counsel to represent indigent
12
prisoners in § 1983 cases. Mallard v. United States Dist. Court, 490 U.S. 296, 298 (1989). In
13
certain exceptional circumstances, however, the district court may request the voluntary
14
assistance of counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017
15
(9th Cir. 1991); Wood v. Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1335-36 (9th Cir. 1990). The test for
16
exceptional circumstances requires the court to evaluate the plaintiff’s likelihood of success on
17
the merits and the ability of the plaintiff to articulate his claims pro se in light of the complexity
18
of the legal issues involved. See Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986);
19
Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954 (9th Cir. 1983).
From a procedural perspective, plaintiff’s requests for counsel during future settlement
20
21
conference proceedings are premature given that both parties have yet to formally agree to
22
settlement proceedings. In addition, from a substantive perspective, plaintiff has not provided
23
any reasons in support of his renewed requests for appointment of counsel. As a result, the court
24
is unable to assess whether exceptional circumstances exist that would warrant such an
25
appointment. Moreover, to date, plaintiff has been able to articulate his claims pro se in light of
26
the complexity of the issues involved. For these reasons, plaintiff’s motions for the appointment
27
of counsel during any future settlement proceedings are denied without prejudice.
28
////
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1.
Plaintiff’s motion to waive notarization fees for documents to be filed with the
court (ECF No. 54) is denied;
2. Plaintiff’s motion requesting the issuance of a scheduling order that permits the
calendaring of a settlement conference (ECF No. 62) is denied without prejudice;
3. Plaintiff’s motions for the appointment of counsel during settlement proceedings
(ECF Nos. 58, 61 and 62) are denied without prejudice, and
4. Within 10 days of receipt of this order, defense counsel shall file a statement
informing the court whether defendants believe a settlement conference is warranted at this time.
Dated: November 8, 2017
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
DLB:13
DB/ORDERS/ORDERS.PRISONER.CIVIL RIGHTS/moor1232.31(2)
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
3
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?