Does an inmate have an "abstract, freestanding right to a law library or legal assistance"?
MultiRegion, United States of America
The following excerpt is from Valdez v. Beard, CASE NO. 1:14-cv-01839-AWI-MJS (PC) (E.D. Cal. 2018):
An inmate does not have an "abstract, freestanding right to a law library or legal assistance." Hebbe v. Pliler, 627 F.3d 338, 342 (9th Cir. 2010)(citing Lewis v. Casey, 4518 U.S. 343, 351 (1996)). However, he may establish that prison officials unconstitutionally denied him access to the courts if he can "demonstrate that the alleged shortcomings in the library or legal assistance program hindered his efforts to pursue a legal claim." Hebbe, 627 F.3d at 342.
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