Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-02612/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-02612-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2254 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (State)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RICHARD DIAZ,

Petitioner,

 vs.

DERRAL ADAMS, Warden,

Respondent. 

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No C 07-2612 VRW (PR)

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

(Docs # 2 & 3)

Petitioner, a state prisoner incarcerated at California State Prison,

Corcoran, has filed a pro se petition for a writ of habeas corpus under 28 USC §

2254. Petitioner also seeks appointment of counsel and leave to proceed in forma

pauperis under 28 USC § 1915.

BACKGROUND

Petitioner was convicted by a jury in the Superior Court of the State of

California in and for the County of Monterey of second degree robbery and

unlawful use of a badge. The court found true the allegation that petitioner had

three prior strike convictions of robbery and one prior serious felony conviction

of robbery. On April 10, 2003, he was sentenced to a total term of 15 years in

state prison. 

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On April 21, 2005, the California Court of Appeal stayed a concurrent

one-year county jail sentence for unlawful use of a badge and affirmed the

judgment in all other respects. It also denied petitioner's request for habeas relief

based on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.

On June 29, 2005, the Supreme Court of California denied review and, on

February 20, 2007, the Supreme Court of the United States denied certiorari.

DISCUSSION

A. Standard of Review

This court may entertain a petition for a writ of habeas corpus "in behalf

of a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court only on the

ground that he is in custody in violation of the Constitution or laws or treaties of

the United States." 28 USC § 2254(a). 

It shall "award the writ or issue an order directing the respondent to show

cause why the writ should not be granted, unless it appears from the application

that the applicant or person detained is not entitled thereto." Id § 2243. 

B. Legal Claims

Petitioner seeks federal habeas corpus relief by raising several claims,

including ineffective assistance of counsel, instructional error, improper

admission of character evidence, insufficient evidence and imposition of an

upper-term sentence without a jury trial. Liberally construed, the claims appear

cognizable under § 2254 and merit an answer from respondent. See Zichko v

Idaho, 247 F3d 1015, 1020 (9th Cir 2001) (federal courts must construe pro se

petitions for writs of habeas corpus liberally).

C. Motion for Appointment of Counsel

Petitioner's motion for appointment of counsel (doc # 3) is denied. See

Knaubert v Goldsmith, 791 F2d 722, 728 (9th Cir 1986) (unless an evidentiary

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hearing is required, decision to appoint counsel in federal habeas proceedings is

within discretion of district court). Petitioner has clearly presented his claims for

relief in the petition and attachments thereto, and an order to show cause is

issuing. Accord Bashor v Risley, 730 F2d 1228, 1234 (9th Cir 1984) (although

petitioner had no background in law, denial of appointment of counsel within

discretion of district court where petitioner clearly presented issues in petition

and accompanying memorandum). The court will appoint counsel on its own

motion if an evidentiary hearing is later required. See Knaubert, 791 F2d at 728. 

CONCLUSION 

For the foregoing reasons and for good cause shown,

1. Petitioner's request to proceed in forma pauperis (doc #2) is

GRANTED.

2. The clerk shall serve by certified mail a copy of this order and the

petition, and all attachments thereto, on respondent and respondent's attorney, the

Attorney General of the State of California. The clerk also shall serve a copy of

this order on petitioner. 

3. Respondent shall file with the court and serve on petitioner, within

60 days of the issuance of this order, an answer conforming in all respects to Rule

5 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases, showing cause why a writ of

habeas corpus should not be granted. Respondent shall file with the answer and

serve on petitioner a copy of all portions of the state trial record that have been

transcribed previously and that are relevant to a determination of the issues

presented by the petition. 

If petitioner wishes to respond to the answer, he shall do so by filing a

traverse with the court and serving it on respondent within 30 days of his receipt

of the answer.

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4. Respondent may file a motion to dismiss on procedural grounds in

lieu of an answer, as set forth in the Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 4 of the

Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases. If respondent files such a motion,

petitioner shall file with the court and serve on respondent an opposition or

statement of non-opposition within 30 days of receipt of the motion, and

respondent shall file with the court and serve on petitioner a reply within 15 days

of receipt of any opposition.

5. Petitioner is reminded that all communications with the court must

be served on respondent by mailing a true copy of the document to respondent’s

counsel. Petitioner must also keep the court and all parties informed of any

change of address. 

SO ORDERED.

 

VAUGHN R WALKER

United States District Chief Judge

G:\PRO-SE\VRW\HC.07\Diaz, R1.osc.wpd

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