Galloway v. Union County Jail et al, No. 3:2008cv00134 - Document 19 (N.D. Miss. 2009)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION re 18 Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief, Order on Motion to Appoint Counsel. Signed by David A. Sanders on 8/19/09. (rel, USDC)
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI WESTERN DIVISION CHARLES GALLOWAY PLAINTIFF V. NO. 3:08CV134-P-S UNION COUNTY JAIL, et al.. DEFENDANTS MEMORANDUM OPINION Presently before the Court is the Plaintiff s motion for appointment of counsel and motion for transfer. After due consideration, each motion shall be denied. Motion for Counsel There is no automatic right to counsel in a § 1983 case. Cupit v. Jones, 835 F.2d 82, 86 (5th Cir. 1987); Wright v. Dallas County Sheriff's Dept., 660 F.2d 623, 625-26 (5th Cir. 1981). Unless there are "exceptional circumstances," a district court is not required to appoint counsel to represent indigent plaintiffs in a civil action. Branch v. Cole, 686 F.2d 264, 266 (5th Cir. 1982); see also, Feist v. Jefferson County Commissioners Court, 778 F.2d 250, 253 (5th Cir. 1985). There are four factors to be considered in ruling on requests for appointment of counsel: (1) The type and complexity of the case; (2) Whether the indigent is capable of adequately presenting his case; (3) Whether the indigent is in a position to adequately investigate the case; and, (4) Whether the evidence will consist in large part of conflicting testimony so as to require skill in the presentation of evidence and in cross-examination of witnesses. Ulmer v. Chancellor, 691 F.2d 209, 212-13 (5th Cir. 1982); see also, Jackson v. Dallas Police Dept., 811 F.2d 260, 262 (5th Cir. 1986). The court should also consider whether the appointment of counsel would be a "service" to the defendant and the court as well as the plaintiff, since representation by counsel may sharpen the presentation of the issues, shorten the trial, and assist the court in reaching a just determination. Ulmer, 691 F.2d at 213. As directed by the Fifth Circuit in Jackson v. Dallas Police Dept., 811 F.2d at 262, this court should make specific findings on each of the Ulmer factors rather than deciding the motion in a conclusory manner. The first factor to be considered in deciding to appoint counsel in a § 1983 case is the type and complexity of the case. Here, the Plaintiff complains about the conditions under which he was held at the Union County Jail. He specifically alleges that there was no running water, the food was inadequate, and he was threatened by officers. A thorough, liberal review and construction of the pleadings, in accordance with Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519 (1972), reveals that there are no complex issues to be decided. The court must also consider whether the indigent is capable of adequately presenting his case. After a review of the file in the instant case and despite the contention that he is unable to write or read properly, it appears that the plaintiff is very capable of presenting the instant claim with limited assistance from the court. Since the Plaintiff is challenging the conditions of the Union County Jail, this case is not complicated and the pleadings thus far demonstrate that he has the ability to adequately represent himself. Ulmer further directs that the court inquire as to whether the indigent is in a position to adequately investigate the case. The mere fact that the Plaintiff is incarcerated does not mean that he is unable to adequately investigate his case. In Feist v. Jefferson County Commissioners Court, supra, the Fifth Circuit held that an incarcerated plaintiff was able to adequately investigate his claims concerning the conditions of his confinement, and there is nothing in the Plaintiff' case to s indicate that he would be unable to do so. Finally, the Plaintiff should be able to effectively present his claims at trial, since the facts of this case do not call for extraordinary skills in cross-examination or the presentation of evidence. In light of the Plaintiff' allegations, it is reasonable to anticipate that there will be conflicting s testimony at trial, if the case reaches that stage. However, that is true of almost all cases and it has been the experience of the court that in many such cases it has tried that, following the procedures employed by this court, an adequate probing of the testimony of defense witnesses is possible, even with a pro se plaintiff. As is almost always the case, this proceeding would no doubt benefit to some extent from the presence of counsel for the Plaintiff. The trial would no doubt progress somewhat more expeditiously, and counsel might serve to refine and sharpen the issues. It may be safely assumed that it is preferable in any case that the parties be represented by capable and well-prepared counsel than that they proceed pro se. However, unless the "exceptional circumstances" rule is to be abandoned and counsel is to be appointed for all pro se prisoner litigants in all § 1983 cases, a course which the court is not free to take even if it wished to do so, the general desirability of counsel is not a factor which in this case requires the appointment of counsel. Therefore, the Plaintiff s motion for appointment of counsel shall be denied. Motion for Transfer The Plaintiff has also filed a motion to be transferred to the State Penitentiary so he can have access to legal assistance. It is well settled that an inmate has no right to a particular housing assignment. Montanye v. Haymes, 427 U.S. 236, 242 (1976). Similarly, the Mississippi Department of Corrections has discretion with regard to the housing of inmates so long as it comports with minimal constitutional standards. Wilkerson v. Stadler, 329 F.3d 431, 435-36 (5th Cir. 2003) (classification is left to the discretion of prison officials). Prison officials should be accorded the widest possible deference in the application of policies and practices designed to maintain security and preserve internal order. McCord v. Maggio, 910 F.2d 1248, 1251 (5th Cir. 1990) (citations omitted). There are no extreme circumstances present in this case that would warrant judicial intervention. MDOC s Inmate Legal Assistance Program is available to all those incarcerated without regard to the prison facility. Accordingly, the Plaintiff s motion for transfer shall also be denied. A separate order in accordance with this opinion shall issue this day. This the19th day of August, 2009. /s/ David Sanders UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE Appt. Counsel -- deny.wpd 4
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