Nordgren v. Mitchell

MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER

WINDER, District Judge.

This case is before the court on cross-motions for summary judgment, based on stipulated facts, and essentially involves the right to have counsel appointed for indigent, incarcerated defendants in paternity actions.

The plaintiffs here are all indigent inmates at the Utah State Prison who are defendants in paternity actions pending in the Utah State courts. The principal plaintiff, Steven Nordgren, unsuccessfully petitioned the Third Judicial District Court of Utah to appoint counsel for his defense of the paternity action, and the Utah…