WILSON v. PERRY et al

Filing 6

ORDER denying #2 Motion for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis; denying #3 Motion to Appoint Counsel. Plaintiff is ORDERED to pay the full filing fee of $402.00. Plaintiff shall have FOURTEEN (14) DAYS from the date shown on this Order to pay the required filing fee to the Clerk of Court. Ordered by US MAGISTRATE JUDGE CHARLES H WEIGLE on 1/10/2022. (ggs)

Case 5:21-cv-00457-MTT-CHW Document 6 Filed 01/10/22 Page 1 of 3

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
MACON DIVISION
MICHAEL DAVID WILSON, JR.,

:
:
Plaintiff,
:
:
v.
:
:
WARDEN CLINTON PERRY, et al., :
:
Defendant.
:
:
_________________________________

Case No. 5:21-cv-00457-MTT-CHW

Proceedings Under 42 U.S.C. §1983
Before the U. S. Magistrate Judge

ORDER
Pro se Plaintiff Michael David Wilson, Jr., an inmate at the Macon State Prison in
Oglethorpe, Georgia, filed a civil rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. ECF No. 1.
Plaintiff has also filed a motion for the appointment of counsel (ECF No. 3) and a motion
for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2).
MOTION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ATTORNEY
Plaintiff has moved for this Court to appoint him an attorney. ECF No. 3. As this
is Plaintiff’s first request for counsel, the Court advises Plaintiff that “[a]ppointment of
counsel in a civil case is not a constitutional right.” Wahl v McIver, 773 F.2d 1169, 1174
(11th Cir. 1986).

Appointment of counsel is a privilege that is justified only by

exceptional circumstances. Id. In deciding whether legal counsel should be provided,
the Court considers, among other factors, the merits of Plaintiff’s claim and the complexity

Case 5:21-cv-00457-MTT-CHW Document 6 Filed 01/10/22 Page 2 of 3

of the issues presented. Holt v. Ford, 862 F.2d 850, 853 (11th Cir. 1989). 1
In accordance with Holt, and upon a review of the record in this case, the Court
notes that Plaintiff filed a complaint under § 1983 following the format and style of the
Court's standard form and setting forth essential factual allegations. See generally ECF
No. 1. The applicable legal doctrines in Plaintiff's claims are readily apparent, and the
Court has not imposed any procedural requirements which would limit Plaintiff's ability to
present his case. See Kilgo v. Ricks, 983 F.2d 189, 193-94 (11th Cir. 1993). Plaintiff has
demonstrated his ability to present his claims to the Court for review. As such, Plaintiff’s
motion for appointment of counsel (ECF No. 3) is DENIED.
Should it later become apparent that legal assistance is required in order to avoid
prejudice to Plaintiff’s rights, the Court, on its own motion, will consider assisting him in
securing legal counsel at that time. Consequently, there is no need for Plaintiff to file
additional requests for counsel.
MOTION TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS
Plaintiff filed a motion to proceed in forma pauperis. ECF No. 2. Plaintiff’s
account certification indicates that he has average monthly deposits in his account for the
previous six months of $521.58. ECF No. 2-1 at 2. Plaintiff further has $1,972.88 on

The federal in forma pauperis statute authorizes courts to “request an attorney to
represent any person unable to afford counsel,” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). The statute does
not, however, provide any funding to pay attorneys for their representation or authorize
courts to compel attorneys to represent an indigent party in a civil case. See Mallard v. U.S.
Dist. Ct. for S. Dist. of Iowa, 490 U.S. 296 (1989).
1

2

Case 5:21-cv-00457-MTT-CHW Document 6 Filed 01/10/22 Page 3 of 3

hand in his prisoner account. Id. Plaintiff indicates that he receives “about 200$ per
month from family”. ECF No. 2 at 2. Thus, Plaintiff has enough money to pay the
$402.00 filing fee in full. Therefore, Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF
No. 2) is DENIED. Plaintiff should note that it is his responsibility to initially pay filing
fees upon the submission of any complaint in this Court. Thus, Plaintiff must arrange to
have the filing fee forwarded to the Court. Plaintiff is ORDERED to pay the $402.00
filing fee in full within FOURTEEN (14) DAYS from the date shown on this Order.
Failure to do so will result in the dismissal of this action.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, as set forth above, Plaintiff’s motion for the appointment of counsel
(ECF No. 3) is DENIED. Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 2) is
also DENIED, and Plaintiff is ORDERED to pay the full filing fee of $402.00. Plaintiff
shall have FOURTEEN (14) DAYS from the date shown on this Order to pay the required
filing fee to the Clerk of Court.
There shall be no service in this case until further order of the Court and Plaintiff
shall keep the Court informed of any future address change. Failure to comply with this
Court’s order will result in the dismissal of this action.
SO ORDERED, this 10th day of January, 2022.
s/ Charles H. Weigle
Charles H. Weigle
United States Magistrate Judge

3