Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-01266/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-01266-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 540
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Mandamus and Other
Cause of Action: 28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (federal)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

William Cecil Thornton,

Petitioner,

v.

Michael Stainer, 

Respondent.

Case No. 11cv1266 JLS (PCL)

ORDER DENYING MOTION

FOR APPOINTMENT OF

COUNSEL

(Doc. No. 4)

MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

Petitioner requests the Court appoint counsel to assist him in his habeas case. (Doc. No.

4.) The Sixth Amendment right to counsel does not extend to federal habeas corpus actions by

state prisoners. See McCleskey v. Zant, 499 U.S. 467, 495 (1991 (citing Pennsylvania v. Finley,

481 U.S. 551, 555 (1987) (“The right to appointed counsel extends to the first appeal of right,

and no further”); Nevius v. Sumner, 105 F.3d 453, 460 (9th Cir. 1996) (noting that there

currently exists no constitutional right to appointment of counsel in habeas proceedings); Chaney

v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 1196 (9th Cir. 1986). 

However, courts may appoint counsel for financially eligible habeas petitioners seeking

relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 where “the interests of justice so require.” 18 U.S.C. §

3006A(a)(2)(B); Chaney, 801 F.2d at 1196. Whether or not to appoint counsel is a matter left to

the court’s discretion, unless an evidentiary hearing is necessary. See Knaubert v. Goldsmith,

791 F.2d 722, 728-30 (9th Cir. 1986) (explaining that the interests of justice require appointment

of counsel when the court conducts an evidentiary hearing on the petition). 

Case 3:11-cv-01266-JLS-PCL Document 8 Filed 01/13/12 Page 1 of 2
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11cv1266 JLS (PCL)

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Petitioner’s petition contains straightforward claims, and no evidentiary hearing has been

requested. Accordingly, Petitioner’s request for appointment of counsel is DENIED.

DATE: January 13, 2012 

Peter C. Lewis

U.S. Magistrate Judge

United States District Court

cc: The Honorable Sammartino

All Parties and Counsel of Record

Case 3:11-cv-01266-JLS-PCL Document 8 Filed 01/13/12 Page 2 of 2