Peterson v. Morin et al
Filing
11
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER denying 10 SECOND MOTION for Appointment of Counsel.(Signed by Magistrate Judge B. Janice Ellington) Parties notified.(lsmith, )
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
CORPUS CHRISTI DIVISION
TERRY JUNIOR PETERSON,
Plaintiff,
V.
ROBERT A. MORIN, ET AL.,
Defendants.
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No. 2:11cv176
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER DENYING SECOND MOTION
FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL
Plaintiff is an inmate in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional
Division, currently assigned to the Boyd Unit in Teague, Texas. Proceeding pro se and in
forma pauperis, plaintiff filed a civil rights complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging
that the conditions of confinement at the Garza West Unit in Beeville, Texas were intolerable
and unconstitutional (D.E. 1). Pending is plaintiff’s second motion for appointment of
counsel (D.E. 10).
In Bounds v. Smith, the Supreme Court held that a prisoner's constitutional right of
access to the courts requires that the access be meaningful; that is, prison officials must
provide pro se litigants with writing materials, access to the law library, or other forms of
legal assistance. Bounds v. Smith, 430 U.S. 817, 829 (1977). There is, however, no
constitutional right to appointment of counsel in civil rights cases. Akasike v. Fitzpatrick,
26 F.3d 510, 512 (5th Cir. 1994); Branch v. Cole, 686 F.2d 264, 266 (5th Cir. 1982).
Further, Bounds did not create a "free-standing right to a law library or legal assistance."
Lewis v. Casey, 116 S. Ct. 2174, 2180 (1996). It is within the Court's discretion to appoint
counsel, unless the case presents "exceptional circumstances," thus requiring the
appointment. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1); Cupit v. Jones, 835 F.2d 82, 86 (5th Cir. 1987).
A number of factors should be examined when determining whether to appoint
counsel. Jackson v. Dallas Police Department, 811 F.2d 260, 261-62 (5th Cir. 1986) (citing
Ulmer v. Chancellor, 691 F.2d 209 (5th Cir. 1982)). The first is the type and complexity of
the case. Id. This case is not complex. According to plaintiff, he and other inmates were
required to live around raw sewage from broken and stopped up pipes, urinals, sinks, and
showers, and the named defendants were aware of the problems and failed to take action to
correct the conditions (D.E. 1). Plaintiff also claims that the raw sewage flowed into his
bunk area for days at a time (Id.), and that he suffered fungal infections, ringworm, and other
physical problems as a result of the conditions. Though serious, plaintiff’s allegations are
not complex.
The second and third factors are whether the plaintiff is in a position to adequately
investigate and present his case. Id. Plaintiff’s pleadings demonstrate he is reasonably
articulate and intelligent, and he understands his claims. At this stage of this litigation,
plaintiff can adequately investigate and present his case.
The fourth factor which should be examined is whether the evidence will consist in large
part of conflicting testimony so as to require skill in the presentation of evidence and in crossexamination. Id. Examination of this factor is premature because the case has not yet been set
for trial. In fact, the case has not been screened pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A. An evidentiary
hearing is scheduled for July 7, 2011.
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Finally, there is no indication that appointed counsel would aid in the efficient and
equitable disposition of the case. The Court has the authority to award attorney’s fees to a
prevailing plaintiff. 42 U.S.C. § 1988. Plaintiff is not prohibited from hiring an attorney on a
contingent-fee arrangement. Plaintiff's second motion for appointment of counsel (D.E.10)
is denied without prejudice at this time. This order will be sua sponte reexamined as the case
proceeds.
ORDERED this 13th day of June, 2011.
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B. JANICE ELLINGTON
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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