Borja v. Gonzalez et al

Filing 8

ORDER Denying without Prejudice 7 Motion to Appoint Counsel. Signed by Magistrate Judge William McCurine, Jr on 9/23/2010. (All non-registered users served via U.S. Mail Service)(knh)

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-WMC Borja v. Gonzalez et al Doc. 8 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 27 28 v. F. GONZALEZ; J. GONZALEZ; M. ALVAREZ; C. NEAL; DELEAT, Defendants, UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA JOSE A BORJA, CDCR #T-54311, Plaintiff, ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Civil No. 10cv1379 BEN (WMc) ORDER DENYING WITHOUT PREJUDICE MOTION TO APPOINT COUNSEL [ DOC. NO. 7.] On June 30, 2010, Plaintiff, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, filed a motion for appointment of counsel in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. [Doc. No. 7.] In his civil rights complaint, Plaintiff alleges Defendants' failure to supervise the recreation yard led to serious injuries in violation of the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments. [Complaint, Doc. No. 1.] Plaintiff seeks appointment of counsel in the above-entitled matter to assist him with medical experts and discovery, which he anticipates will be complex. [Motion, Doc. No. 7.] There is no constitutional right to counsel in a civil case. Lassiter v. Dep't of Social Services, 452 U.S. 18, 25 (1981). The Court may request an attorney to voluntarily represent a person proceeding in forma pauperis who is unable to afford counsel. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d). However, such a request may only be made under section 1915 in "exceptional circumstances." Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991)(citing Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986)). A determination of exceptional circumstances requires the Court's consideration of: (1) the likelihood of success on 1 10cv1379 BEN (WMc) Dockets.Justia.com 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 27 28 the merits, and (2) the ability of the Plaintiff to state his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. See Rand v. Rowland, 113 F.3d 1520, 1525 (9th Cir. 1997). Neither the need for discovery, nor the fact the pro se litigant would be better served with the assistance of counsel require a finding of exceptional circumstances. Id. Both of the exceptional circumstances factors must be considered together before reaching a decision. See Rand, 113 F.3d at 1525; Terrell, 935 F.2d at 1017; Wilborn, 789 F.2d at 1331. In light of the early stage of the proceedings with no answer from Defendants on file, the Court cannot make a determination on Plaintiff's likelihood of success on the merits of his failure to supervise and medical indifference claims. The Court does note, however, mere negligence in treating a medical condition, without more, does not constitute deliberate indifference under the Eighth Amendment. Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1131 (9th Cir. 2000). After careful consideration of the initial pleadings in this case, the Court finds the issues involved are not particularly complex and plaintiff has thus far been able to adequately present his claims. The Court does not find exceptional circumstances exist to warrant appointment of counsel at this time. Accordingly, Plaintiff's motion for appointment of counsel is DENIED without prejudice. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: September 23, 2010 Hon. William McCurine, Jr. U.S. Magistrate Judge United States District Court 2 10cv1379 BEN (WMc)

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