Picozzi v. Clark County Detention Center et al
Filing
53
ORDER that 37 Motion for Leave to Take Depositions of Witnesses, 41 Motion for Appointment of Counsel, and 42 Motion for XRay and MRI on Lower Back are DENIED. Signed by Magistrate Judge Peggy A. Leen on 10/31/16. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - MMM)
1
2
3
4
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
5
DISTRICT OF NEVADA
6
***
7
MARK PICOZZI,
8
9
10
11
12
Case No. 2:15-cv-00816-JCM-PAL
Plaintiff,
ORDER
v.
(Mot. Leave Depos. – ECF No. 37;
Mot. Appt. Counsel – ECF No. 41;
Mot. for X-Ray – ECF No. 42)
CLARK COUNTY DETENTION CENTER,
et al.,
Defendants.
13
This matter is before the court on Plaintiff Mark Picozzi’s Motion for Leave to Take
14
Depositions of Witnesses (ECF No. 37), Motion for Appointment of Counsel (ECF No. 41), and
15
Motion for X-Ray and MRI on Lower Back (ECF No. 42). These Motions are referred to the
16
undersigned pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A) and LR IB 1-3 of the Local Rules of Practice.
17
The court has considered the Motions, Defendants’ Response to Motion for Leave to Take
18
Depositions (ECF No. 40), and Picozzi’s Reply (ECF No. 48).
19
BACKGROUND
20
Mr. Picozzi is a pro se prisoner currently in the custody of the Nevada Department of
21
Corrections. He has received permission to proceed in this case in forma pauperis (“IFP”) pursuant
22
to 28 U.S.C. § 1915 and LSR 1-1 of the Local Rules of Practice. See IFP Application (ECF No. 3);
23
Screening Order (ECF No. 15). This case arises from Picozzi’s allegations, pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
24
§ 1983, regarding his treatment while he was incarcerated at the Clark County Detention Center
25
(“CCDC”). Upon review of the Amended Complaint (ECF No. 14), the court issued a Screening
26
Order (ECF No. 15) finding that Picozzi stated the following plausible claims: (1) Eighth
27
Amendment claim of excessive force against Defendants Sergeant Judd and Officer Garcia, as
28
well as John Doe correctional officers #1 and #2; (2) Eighth Amendment claim of deliberate
1
1
indifference to a serious medical need against Defendant Officer Hightower and Jane Doe nurse
2
#1; (3) Fourteenth Amendment claim of violation of access to the courts against Defendant
3
Officers Hightower, Daos, Goins, Hans, Brooks, Phillips, Carr, Jolley, and Coker, as well as John
4
Doe correctional officers #4 and #5; and (4) First Amendment claim of interference with his right
5
to legal correspondence against Defendant Razzo and John Doe CCDC mail room officer. Id. at
6
14. By acknowledging that his claims implicate doe defendants, Mr. Picozzi was given an
7
opportunity through discovery to identify the unknown defendants. Id. at 14 n.6–9.
8
Defendants Coker, Daos, Goins, Hightower, Judd, and Phillips (“CCDC Defendants”)
9
were served in March 2016. See Executed Summons (ECF No. 21). However, the USM was
10
unable to locate Defendants Brooks, Carr, Garcia, Hans, Jolley, Razzo (“Unserved Defendants”)
11
to complete service. See Unexecuted Summons (ECF No. 20). Since then, Picozzi has filed
12
motions seeking additional information to complete service. On June 1, 2016, the court entered a
13
Scheduling Order (ECF No. 28) commencing discovery. In separate recent orders, the court
14
extended the Scheduling Order deadlines at the request of the parties and granted Picozzi’s
15
motions, issuing a subpoena to the custodian of records for CCDC and directing the U.S. Marshals
16
Service to again attempt service with the information received through subpoena.
DISCUSSION
17
18
I.
19
MOTIONS FOR LEAVE TO TAKE DEPOSITIONS OF WITNESSES (ECF NO. 37) AND FOR XRAY AND MRI ON LOWER BACK (ECF NO. 42)
20
Pursuant to Rule 30 of the of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,1 Mr. Picozzi’ asks the
21
court for leave to take the depositions of 11 Defendants and an additional 13 CCDC employees.2
22
Mot. (ECF No. 37). He asserts that the depositions are necessary to prepare and prove his case.
23
Given his incarceration, Picozzi states that depositions may go forward “at a place the court finds
24
appropriate.” In their Opposition (ECF No. 40), the CCDC Defendants state that Picozzi has
25
26
27
28
1
All references to a “Rule” or the “Rules” in this Order refer to the of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
2
As noted in a separate order, “Nurse Amanda” is currently not a named party in this case. Plaintiff must
file either a notice or a motion specifically identifying which allegations are attributable to Nurse Amanda
and the doe defendant that he is substituting with Nurse Amanda.
2
1
misinterpreted Rule 30 because the rule does not give an incarcerated IFP plaintiff a right to take
2
the deposition of a party or other witness.3 Additionally, the Opposition notes that he has failed to
3
tell the court how he intends to pay the costs associated with taking the depositions, or handle the
4
logistics of such depositions. The CCDC Defendants argue that written discovery will likely
5
provide the same information Picozzi is seeking through depositions and he may also complete
6
depositions by written questions under Rule 31(a). In his Reply (ECF No. 48), Picozzi asserts that
7
the CCDC Defendants refusal to answer his written discovery requests is even more reason for the
8
depositions to occur. He “believes the County should be responsible for the cost” of the
9
depositions because he was under the County’s control while at CCDC. Thus, he asks the court
10
for permission to schedule six depositions per day for four days at the High Desert State Prison
11
where he is currently incarcerated.
12
When a party receives permission to proceed IFP, the party is permitted to maintain this
13
action to conclusion without the necessity of prepayment of any additional fees or costs or the
14
giving of a security therefor. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915. However, the Local Rules of Practice state
15
that IFP status “does not waive the applicant’s responsibility to pay expenses of litigation” that are
16
not covered by § 1915.” See LSR 1-8. The in forma pauperis statute does not allow for payment
17
of litigation expenses such as depositions. Similarly, the Supreme Court has held that an inmate’s
18
constitutional right of access to courts does not impose “an affirmative obligation on the states to
19
finance and support prisoner litigation.” Lewis v. Casey, 518 U.S. 343, 384 (1996). Likewise,
20
nothing in the Rules or Ninth Circuit case authority require defendants or the courts to finance or
21
subsidize fees and costs associated with prosecuting a civil action. See, e.g., Johnson v. Moore,
22
948 F.2d 517, 521 (9th Cir. 1991); Tedder v. Odel, 890 F.2d 210, 211 (9th Cir. 1989).
23
Mr. Picozzi qualified for IFP status because he lacks the financial resources to pay the
24
filing fee. However, IFP status does not provide funds for taking depositions or authorize shifting
25
26
27
28
3
The CCDC Defendants specifically reference Rule 30(a)(2)(B) in the Opposition; however, Mr. Picozzi
did not cite that particular provision in his moving papers. Rule 30(a)(2)(B) states that a party must obtain
leave of the court to conduct a deposition “if the deponent is confined in prison.” Id. (emphasis added). A
“deponent” is the person “who testifies by deposition” or “who gives written testimony for later use in
court.” Black’s Law Dictionary (10th ed. 2014). Because the Defendants and witnesses who Picozzi wishes
to depose are not incarcerated, the court notes that Rule 30(a)(2)(B) does not apply.
3
1
discovery or other litigation costs to opposing parties or a government entity. Taking depositions
2
is quite expensive. The party noticing and taking a deposition is responsible to make the logistical
3
arrangements for the time and place of the deposition and to pay for the appearance of a certified
4
court reporter and for an original and one copy of the deposition transcript. In this district the cost
5
of a single deposition is typically about $1,000 or more. Picozzi wants to take 24 depositions but
6
has not shown he has the financial ability to pay the associated costs. He is not entitled to take the
7
depositions at public expense or to shift the costs to the CCDC Defendants. An incarcerated person
8
may obtain discovery from parties by serving them with a deposition by written questions under
9
Rule 31, interrogatories under Rule 33, and requests for production of documents under Rule 34.
10
Additionally, Mr. Picozzi asserts that an x-ray and MRI of his right hip and lower back are
11
necessary to prepare and prove his case. Mot. (ECF No. 42). He asserts that CCDC denied him
12
medical treatment for the injuries he suffered at the hands of CCDC corrections officers. Because
13
they have denied his medical requests and stolen his medical requests and grievance forms, Picozzi
14
asks the court to order the medical department at the High Desert State Prison, or a facility to
15
which he is transferred, to complete an x-ray and MRI for him.
16
Rule 35 authorizes a district court to order a party whose mental or physical condition is in
17
controversy to submit to a physical or mental examination by a licensed professional. Fed. R. Civ.
18
P 35(a)(1). But this rule does not authorize a party to seek his own free examination to obtain
19
evidence to prosecute his case. Smith v. Carroll, 602 F. Supp. 2d 521, 526 (D. Del. 2009). Instead,
20
under appropriate circumstances, it allows the court to order a party to submit to a physical
21
examination at the request of an opposing party. Id. “[N]o civil litigant, even an indigent one, has
22
a legal right” to compel the government to bear a cost for the litigant to establish a fundamental
23
element of his case. See, e.g., Brown v. United States, 74 F. App’x 611, 614 (7th Cir. 2003)
24
(unpublished).
25
Here, Mr. Picozzi requests medical testing for the specific purpose of gathering evidence
26
to be used in this civil rights action. His IFP status, however, does not extend to discovery and
27
litigation related expenses, which includes medical exams such as x-rays or MRIs. Additionally,
28
the court notes that the Nevada Department of Corrections, the High Desert State Prison, and their
4
1
staff are not parties to this case. As such, the court lacks jurisdiction to issue orders in this case to
2
the state agency or the prison regarding the custody of a state prisoner. These motion are therefore
3
denied.
4
II.
MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL (ECF NO. 41)
5
A litigant in a civil rights action does not have a Sixth Amendment right to appointed
6
counsel. Palmer v. Valdez, 560 F.3d 965, 970 (9th Cir. 2009) (citing Storseth v. Spellman, 654
7
F.2d 1349, 1353 (9th Cir. 1981)); Ivey v. Board of Regents, 673 F.2d 266 (9th Cir. 1982). Pursuant
8
to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1), the court may ask an attorney to represent a litigant proceeding in forma
9
pauperis. Id. This statute does not require that the court appoint counsel or authorize the court to
10
direct payment for a litigant’s attorney’s fees, it merely allows the court to request that an attorney
11
represent an indigent litigant on a pro bono basis. See Mallard v. United States Dist. Ct., 490 U.S.
12
296, 304–05 (1989); United States v. 30.64 Acres of Land, 795 F.2d 796, 798–804 (9th Cir. 1986).
13
The appointment of counsel is limited to cases presenting exceptional circumstances.
14
Agyeman v. Corr. Corp. of Am., 390 F.3d 1101, 1103 (9th Cir. 2004). The word “exceptional” is
15
defined as “out of the ordinary course, unusual,” or “rare.” See Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford
16
Univ. Press 2015). In deciding whether to appoint counsel, the court should consider: (1) the
17
likelihood of success of the pro se party’s claims on the merits, and (2) the ability of the party to
18
articulate claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. Harrington v.
19
Scribner, 785 F.3d 1299, 1309 (9th Cir. 2015); see also Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017
20
(9th Cir. 1991) (finding that neither factor is controlling).
21
Mr. Picozzi’s motion asks the court to appoint counsel because his imprisonment greatly
22
impedes his ability to litigate his claims. He has received permission to proceed IFP in this case
23
and he asserts that he is unable to afford counsel. Picozzi represents he has made repeated attempts
24
to retain counsel without success. He has limited formal education or knowledge of the law. He
25
asserts that legal issue in this case are complex and will require significant research and
26
investigation; however, his access to the law library is limited. A trial in this case will likely
27
involve conflicting testimony, and counsel would better enable Picozzi to present evidence, cross-
28
examine witnesses, and take depositions. Thus, he asks the court to appoint counsel.
5
1
This is the second time Mr. Picozzi has requested the appointment of counsel. See Mot.
2
Appt. Counsel (ECF No. 4). The court denied the previous motions because he did not establish
3
exceptional circumstances exist to justify the appointment of counsel. See Order (ECF No. 8).
4
Although he now asserts that an attorney would not have problems with legal mail being lost and
5
motions not being filed with the court, which Picozzi is experiencing, the current motion fails to
6
present a change in circumstances as it relates to the “exceptional circumstances” factors the court
7
must consider for the appointment of counsel. The Amended Complaint states colorable claims
8
against the Defendants. At this stage of the proceedings, the court is unable to assess the likelihood
9
of success of the claims on their merits. However, the court finds that the facts alleged and legal
10
issues raised are not especially complex. Since commencing this action, Picozzi has submitted
11
discovery requests to the CCDC Defendants and numerous motions to the court. Thus, he has
12
demonstrated sufficient ability to write and articulate his claims. The court appreciates that it is
13
difficult for pro se parties to litigate their claims and that almost every pro se party would benefit
14
from representation by counsel.
15
representation on a pro bono basis, and the number of attorneys available to accept a pro bono
16
appointment is very small. The motion is therefore denied.
However, the court cannot require counsel to accept
17
Accordingly,
18
IT IS ORDERED: Plaintiff Mark Picozzi’s Motion for Leave to Take Depositions of
19
Witnesses (ECF No. 37), Motion for Appointment of Counsel (ECF No. 41), and Motion for X-
20
Ray and MRI on Lower Back (ECF No. 42) are DENIED.
21
Dated this 31st day of October, 2016.
22
23
PEGGY A. LEEN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
24
25
26
27
28
6
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?