Opinion
No. 2:09-cv-2704-JAM-JFM (PC).
December 22, 2009
ORDER
Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis with an action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. By order filed October 14, 2009, the court found that plaintiff's complaint stated a cognizable claim for relief against defendants Derrick Givens, P. Rogers; and K. Providence and directed plaintiff to return the forms necessary for service of process on said defendants. On November 12, 2009, plaintiff submitted the required documents. On the same day, plaintiff filed a motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On December 4, 2009, plaintiff filed an amended complaint and, separately, a supplemental complaint. On the same day, plaintiff filed a motion for appointment of counsel.
Plaintiff is entitled to amend his complaint once as of right prior to service of a responsive pleading. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 15. Accordingly, plaintiff's motion to amend will be granted. However, good cause appearing, this action will not proceed on the two pleadings filed by plaintiff on December 4, 2009. Instead, plaintiff will be required to file one second amended complaint that names all defendants and raises all claims that plaintiff seeks to bring in this action. See Local Rule 220 (E.D. Cal.) Thereafter, the court will screen the second amended complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A.
As noted above, plaintiff has also moved for the appointment of counsel. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that district courts lack authority to require counsel to represent indigent prisoners in § 1983 cases. Mallard v. United States Dist. Court, 490 U.S. 296, 298 (1989). In certain exceptional circumstances, the court may request the voluntary assistance of counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991); Wood v. Housewright, 900 F.2d 1332, 1335-36 (9th Cir. 1990). In the present case, the court does not find the required exceptional circumstances. Plaintiff's motion for the appointment of counsel will therefore be denied.
In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Plaintiff's November 12, 2009 motion to amend is granted;
2. Plaintiff's amended and supplemental complaints, filed December 4, 2009, are dismissed with leave to amend;
3. Within thirty days from the date of this order, plaintiff shall complete the attached Notice of Amendment and submit the following documents to the court:
a. The completed Notice of Amendment; and
b. An original and one copy of the Second Amended Complaint.
Plaintiff's second amended complaint shall comply with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Local Rules of Practice and this order; the second amended complaint must bear the docket number assigned this case and must be labeled "Second Amended Complaint"; failure to file a second amended complaint in accordance with this order may result in the dismissal of this action; and
4. Plaintiff's December 4, 2009 motion for appointment of counsel is denied.