Opinion
23-cv-0024 WJ-KRS
05-19-2023
JOE H. ANDERSON, Plaintiff, v. BERNALILLO COUNTY METROPOLITAN DETENTION CENTER, et al, Defendants.
ORDER DIRECTING CURE AND DENYING MOTION TO APPOINT COUNSEL
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff's Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Doc. 4) (IFP Motion). The IFP Motion does not include a six-month inmate account statement, as required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2). Plaintiff shall cure this deficiency within thirty days of entry of this Order. The failure to timely comply may result in dismissal without further notice.
Also before the Court is Plaintiff's Motion to Appoint Counsel in this prisoner civil rights case (Doc. 5). “Courts are not authorized to appoint counsel in 1983 ... cases; instead, courts can only ‘request' an attorney to take the case” on a pro bono basis. Rachel v. Troutt, 820 F.3d 390, 397 (10th Cir. 2016). This decision is a matter of discretion. Toevs v. Reid, 685 F.3d 903, 916 (10th Cir. 2012). Relevant factors include “the merits of the claims, the nature of the claims, [the inmate's] ability to present the claims, and the complexity of the issues.” Rachel, 820 F.3d at 397. Considering these factors, the Court will not ask a local attorney to handle this case on a pro bono basis. The claims pertain to Plaintiff's conditions of confinement and are not especially complex. Plaintiff's filings also reflect he is able to prosecute this action on a pro se basis. The request to appoint counsel will therefore be denied without prejudice.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that within thirty (30) days of entry of this Order, Plaintiff shall submit a certified copy of his inmate account statement, which reflects transactions for a six-month period.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion to Appoint Counsel (Doc. 5) is DENIED without prejudice.