Hall v. Doe et al, No. 1:2010cv01526 - Document 13 (N.D. Ill. 2010)
Court Description: WRITTEN Opinion; The plaintiff's motion for appointment of counsel 12 is denied. The clerk is directed to issue alias summons for service on the defendant by the U.S. Marshal's Service. The plaintiff must complete and return any forms as requested by the U.S. Marshal, or the case may be dismissed for want of prosecution. Signed by the Honorable Ronald A. Guzman on 7/6/2010. Mailed(vmj, )
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Order Form (01/2005) United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois Name of Assigned Judge or Magistrate Judge RONALD A. GUZMÃ N CASE NUMBER 10 C 1526 CASE TITLE Sitting Judge if Other than Assigned Judge 7/06/10 DATE William Hall (#R-23322) vs. John Doe, et al. DOCKET ENTRY TEXT: The plaintiff s motion for appointment of counsel [#12] is denied. The clerk is directed to issue alias summons for service on the defendant by the U.S. Marshal s Service. The plaintiff must complete and return any forms as requested by the U.S. Marshal, or this case may be dismissed for want of prosecution. O [For further details see text below.] Docketing to mail notices. STATEMENT The plaintiff, a state prisoner, has brought this pro se civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The plaintiff claims that a Markham police officer used unjustified force against him. More specifically, the plaintiff alleges that the officer fired multiple, unnecessary gunshots at the unarmed plaintiff and his associates while chasing them after they attempted a mugging. This matter is before the court for ruling on the plaintiff s motion for appointment of counsel. The motion is denied. Civil litigants do not have a constitutional or statutory right to counsel. See Johnson v. Doughty, 433 F.3d 1001, 1006 (7th Cir. 2006). Nevertheless, a district court may, in its discretion, request an attorney to represent any person unable to afford counsel. Gil v. Reed, 381 F.3d 649, 656 (7th Cir. 2004), citing 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1); Luttrell v. Nickel, 129 F.3d 933, 936 (7th Cir. 1997). In deciding whether to appoint counsel, the court must first determine if the indigent has made reasonable efforts to retain counsel and was unsuccessful or that the indigent was effectively precluded from making such efforts. Gil, 381 F.3d at 656, quoting Jackson v. County of McLean, 953 F.2d 1070, 1072 (7th Cir. 1992). If so, the court must consider: (1) whether, given the degree of difficulty of the case, the plaintiff appears competent to try it himself; and (2) whether the assistance of counsel would provide a substantial benefit to the court or the parties, potentially affecting the outcome of the case. Pruitt v. Mote, 503 F.3d 647, 654 (7th Cir. 2007); Gil, 381 F.3d at 656; see also Local Rule 83.36(c) (N.D. Ill.) (listing the factors to be considered in determining whether to appoint counsel). (CONTINUED) mjm Page 1 of 2 STATEMENT (continued) After considering the above factors, the court concludes that appointment of counsel is not warranted in this case. Although the plaintiff has articulated colorable claims, he has alleged no physical or mental disability that might preclude him from adequately investigating the facts giving rise to his complaint. Neither the legal issues raised in the complaint nor the evidence that might support the plaintiff s claims are so complex or intricate that a trained attorney is necessary. The plaintiff appears more than capable of presenting his case; notwithstanding his professed mental illness, his pleadings are well-written and articulate. It should additionally be noted that the court grants pro se litigants wide latitude in the handling of their lawsuits. Therefore, the plaintiff s motion for appointment of counsel is denied at this time. Should the case proceed to a point that assistance of counsel is appropriate, the court may revisit this request. The court s May 25, 2010, order to show cause is discharged. The clerk is directed to issue alias summons for service on the Chief of Police of Markham Township. The United States Marshals Service is re-appointed to serve the defendant. The plaintiff must complete and return any service forms the Marshal may deem necessary to serve the defendant with process. Failure to cooperate with the Marshal will result in dismissal of this case. The Marshal is authorized to mail a request for waiver of service to the defendant in the manner prescribed by Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(2) before attempting personal service. Page 2 of 2
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