MICHAEL REILLY, Plaintiff, v. STATE OF FLORIDA, Defendant.
Case No: 2:15-cv-14-FtM-38DNF
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA FORT MYERS DIVISION
June 25, 2015
ORDER1
This mаtter comes before the Court on the Plaintiff, Michael Reilly‘s Objection to the Court‘s Ordеr and Suggestion that Counsel be Appointed (Doc. #7) filed on June 23, 2015. On January 28, 2015, the Court denied thе Plaintiff’s Motion to proceed in forma pauperis because his Complaint was found to be frivolous аnd without merit. The Court then dismissed Plaintiff’s Complaint with leave to amend. The Plaintiff objected tо the Court’s denial and dismissal. On June 16, 2015, the Court issued an Order (Doc. #6) denying the Plaintiff’s objection. The Plaintiff now objects to the Court’s Order denying his initial objection.
Upon review of the previous objection and the Court’s reasoning, the Court stands by its previous Order (Doc. #6) and overrules Plaintiff’s current objection. The Plaintiff’s Complaint is nothing more than a conclusory allegation that fails to comply with
The Plaintiff also suggests that the Court appoint counsel to represent him. The United States Supreme Court has stated that “[t]he рre-eminent generalization that emerges from this Court‘s precedents on an indigent‘s right to appointed counsel is that such a right has been recognized to exist only where the litigant may lose his physical liberty if he loses the litigation.” Lassiter v. Dept. of Social Services, 452 U.S. 18, 25, 101 S. Ct. 2153, 68 L. Ed. 2d 640 (1981). An action like the Plaintiff’s case here attacking a statute as unconstitutional is civil in nature and does not affеct a plaintiff‘s physical liberty.
When exceptional circumstances are рresent, the Court has the discretion under
In the present case, the Court finds no exсeptional circumstances at this juncture necessitating appointment of сounsel and will therefore deny Plaintiff‘s motion for appointment of counsel. Schack v. Florida, 391 F.2d 593, 595 (5th Cir. 1968), cert. denied,
Further, pro se complaints arе held to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by a lawyer. Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520, 92 S. Ct. 594, 596, 30 L. Ed. 2d 652 (1972). A complaint filed pro se will not be dismissed for failure to state a claim unless it appears beyond a doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of his claim that would entitle him to relief. Scheuer v. Rhodes, 416 U.S. 232, 94 S. Ct. 1683, 40 L. Ed. 90 (1974), rev’d in part on other grounds, Davis v Scherer, 468 U.S. 183, 104 S. Ct. 3012, 82 L. Ed. 139 (1984) (over turning the qualified immunity principle in Scheuer v. Rhodes, by holding that qualified immunity may be overcome by a showing that the plaintiff’s constitutional rights were cleаrly at issue when the alleged violation of those rights occurred). This Court is liberal in reviewing pro se сomplaints, giving individuals ample opportunity to amend their complaints if necessary, and granting generous extensions of time to comply with court orders. Consequently, the Cоurt‘s liberal construction of pro se complaints, coupled with Plaintiff‘s apparent ability to litigate this action pro se, convinces the Court that the appointment of counsel is nоt necessary in this case.
ORDERED:
The Plaintiff, Michael Reilly‘s Objection to the Court‘s Order and Suggestiоn that Counsel be Appointed (Doc. #7) is DENIED. The Court will extend the time for the Plaintiff to file his Amended Complaint up to and including July 15, 2015. Failure to comply with this Order will result in the Plaintiff’s Complaint being dismissed without further notice.
DONE and ORDERED in Fort Myers, Florida this 25th day of June, 2015.
SHERI POLSTER CHAPPELL
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Copies: All Parties of Record
