Ortiz v. Burnias et al, No. 2:2009cv01048 - Document 133 (D. Ariz. 2012)
Court Description: ORDER AND OPINION denying 128 Motion for Issuance; denying 128 Motion to Appoint Counsel. Signed by Judge John W Sedwick on 8/7/12.(JWS)
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF ARIZONA ANIBAL ORTIZ, ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Plaintiff, vs. DONNA BURNIAS, et al., Defendants. 2:09-cv-01048 JWS ORDER AND OPINION [Re: Motion at Docket 128] I. MOTION PRESENTED At docket 128, pro se plaintiff Anibal Ortiz ( plaintiff ) moves for a bench warrant and for appointment of counsel. The court interprets the filing as a response to the court s order to show cause why plaintiff should not participate in his consolidated trial remotely and a request for issuance of a writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum. Defendants Donna Burnias, et al. ( defendants ) oppose the motion at docket 131. Oral argument would not assist the court. II. BACKGROUND Plaintiff is a prisoner of the State of Hawaii, incarcerated at the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona, pursuant to an agreement between the 1 Corrections Corporation of America and the Hawaii Department of Public Safety. 2 Plaintiff is housed in administrative segregation. 3 Plaintiff has filed two separate lawsuits, each pursuant to 42 U.S.C. ยง 1983, 4 alleging a variety of civil rights violations. A consolidated trial will begin on October 22, 5 2012. 6 III. DISCUSSION 7 In the order at docket 120, the court ordered plaintiff to show cause why his 8 participation in the consolidated trial should not be limited to telephonic participation 9 because he is incarcerated and subject to enhanced security measures. 10 Although due process prohibits the denial of access to the courts, a prisoner 11 does not have a constitutional right to attend the jury trial of his civil rights claims 12 involving the conditions of his confinement. 1 Plaintiff argues that the fairness of his trial 13 will be compromised if he is not in attendance. However, he also recognizes that 14 countervailing considerations of expense, security, logistics, and docket control . . . 15 prevent according prisoners any absolute right to be present. 2 16 The Fifth and Seventh Circuits have outlined factors for a district court to 17 consider when determining whether to exercise its discretion to issue a writ of habeas 18 corpus ad testificandum to secure a prisoner s presence at trial.3 The Fifth Circuit has 19 stated that a 20 21 district court must exercise its discretion based upon consideration of such factors as whether the prisoner s presence will substantially further the resolution of the case, the security risks presented by the prisoner s presence, the expense of the prisoner s transportation and safekeeping, 22 23 24 25 26 1 Thornton v. Snyder, 428 F.3d 690, 697 (7th Cir. 2005). See also Demoran v. Witt, 781 F.2d 155, 158 (9th Cir. 1985) ( A plaintiff in a civil suit who is confined in state prison at the time of a hearing has no absolute right to appear personally. ). 2 Muhammad v. Warden, Baltimore City Jail, 849 F.2d 107, 111 112 (4th Cir. 1988). 27 3 28 Ballard v. Spradley, 557 F.2d 476, 480 81 (5th Cir. 1977); Stone v. Morris, 546 F.2d 730, 735 36 (7th Cir. 1976). -2- 1 and whether the suit can be stayed until the prisoner is released without prejudice to the cause asserted.4 2 The Seventh Circuit has listed similar factors but, unlike the Fifth Circuit, permits a 3 district court to consider the probability of the incarcerated plaintiff s success on the 4 merits.5 5 Here, the controlling factors are the security risks presented by the prisoner s 6 presence and the associated costs of transportation and safekeeping. Because plaintiff 7 is an administrative segregation inmate, he must remain in full restraints at all times. 8 During trial, three officers must be present in the courtroom, and two of them must 9 remain within arm s length of the plaintiff while he is testifying. Moreover, plaintiff may 10 not be in the same holding cell as other inmates in courthouse holding cells. The 11 additional security risk that plaintiff poses, coupled with the measures that must be 12 taken to minimize that risk and the associated costs weigh determinatively against 13 issuance of a writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum. The court also notes that 14 participation by telephone or videoconference would lessen the risk that the jury would 15 be prejudiced or misled by in-court indications of plaintiff s high security status. Finally, 16 plaintiff s presence would not substantially further resolution of the case insofar as it 17 appears that he is his only witness, and his testimony can be adequately presented via 18 electronic means. 19 Because those factors are controlling, the court need not consider the merits of 20 plaintiff s claims or whether it is even appropriate to consider the merits of plaintiff s 21 claims. 22 23 24 25 26 27 4 28 5 Ballard, 557 F.2d at 480. Stone, 546 F.2d at 735 36. -3- 1 2 B. Plaintiff s Request for Counsel Plaintiff has again requested that the court appoint counsel.6 This is plaintiff s 3 fourth request. For the reasons set out in the orders at dockets 28, 38, and 107, plaintiff 4 is not entitled to appointment of counsel. 5 6 IV. CONCLUSION For the reasons above, plaintiff s motion for a bench warrant, construed as a 7 request for a writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum is DENIED. Plaintiff s request for 8 appointment of counsel is DENIED. 9 DATED this 7th day of August 2012. 10 /s/ JOHN W. SEDWICK 11 12 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 6 Doc. 128 at 2. -4-
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