Hopkins v. Contra Costa County et al
Filing
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ORDER DENYING APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL. Signed by Judge Jeffrey S. White on 08/21/2012. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate/Proof of Service)(tmi, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 8/21/2012)
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
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FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
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United States District Court
For the Northern District of California
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ORDER DENYING APPOINTMENT
OF COUNSEL
Plaintiff,
v.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SHERIFF
DAVID O. LIVINGSTON, et al.,
Defendants.
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No. C 12-0813 JSW (PR)
KEVIN LAMAR HOPKINS,
/
(Docket No. 30)
Plaintiff, an inmate at the West County Detention Facility, has filed this pro se civil
rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. His motion for appointment of counsel (docket
number 30) is DENIED. There is no constitutional right to counsel in a civil case. Lassiter
v. Dep't of Social Services, 452 U.S. 18, 25 (1981). 28 U.S.C. § 1915 confers on a district
court only the power to "request" that counsel represent a litigant who is proceeding in forma
pauperis. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). The Court has only the power to ask pro bono counsel to
represent plaintiff, not the power to “appoint” counsel. Here, plaintiff continues to be
capable of presenting his claims effectively, and the issues, at least at this stage, are not
complex. The motion (docket number 30) is DENIED without prejudice to the Court’s sua
sponte reconsideration if the case proceeds to trial.
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IT IS SO ORDERED.
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DATED:
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08/21/2012
JEFFREY S. WHITE
United States District Judge
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