Flores v. Morgen et al

Filing 47

ORDER denying 24 Motion to Appoint Counsel by Judge Karen L Strombom.(JLP)(Copy mailed to Plaintiff)

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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 This civil rights action has been referred to United States Magistrate Judge Karen L. Strombom pursuant to Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and Local MJR 3 and 4. Before the Court is Plaintiff's motion for appointment of counsel. Dkt. # 24. Having carefully reviewed Plaintiff's motion, Defendants' response (Dkt. # 32), and balance of the record, the Court finds, for the reasons stated below, that Plaintiff's motion should be denied. I. DISCUSSION There is no right to have counsel appointed in cases brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Although the court, under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d), can request counsel to represent a party proceeding in forma pauperis, the court may do so only in exceptional circumstances. Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986); Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1236 (9th Cir. 1984); Aldabe v. Aldabe, 616 F.2d 1089 (9th Cir. 1980). A finding of exceptional circumstances requires an evaluation of both the likelihood of success on the merits and the ability of the plaintiff to articulate his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. Wilborn, 789 F.2d at 1331. Neither of these factors is dispositive and both must be viewed together before ORDER - 1 v. JAN MORGEN, et al., Defendants. JOSEPH R. FLORES, Plaintiff, UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT TACOMA Case No. 08-5621 RJB/KLS ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL 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 reaching a decision on request of counsel under Section 1915(d). Id. Plaintiff argues that he requires appointment of counsel because he is unable to afford counsel, his imprisonment will limit his ability to litigate the issues, the matter is complex and will require research and investigation, the trial will likely involve conflicting testimony, and he has attempted to obtain a lawyer with no results. Dkt. # 24, p. 1. However, Plaintiff has demonstrated an adequate ability to articulate his claims pro se and has not demonstrated that the issues involved in this case are complex. Plaintiff's continued incarceration and lack of legal training also do not constitute exceptional circumstances warranting appointment of counsel. While Plaintiff may not have vast resources or legal training, he meets the threshold for a pro se litigant. Concerns regarding investigation and discovery, an absence of legal training and limited access to legal materials are not exceptional factors, but are the type of difficulties encountered by many pro se litigants. Plaintiff has also not shown a likelihood of success on the merits. See, e.g., Wilborn, 789 F.2d at 1331. Accordingly, Plaintiff's motion to appoint counsel (Dkt. # 24) is DENIED. The Clerk is directed to send copies of this Order to Plaintiff and counsel for Defendants. DATED this 19th day of March, 2009. A Karen L. Strombom United States Magistrate Judge ORDER - 2

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