Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00749/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00749-0/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ERIC WATKINS,

Petitioner,

v.

W.L. MUNIZ,

Respondent.

CASE NO. 1:16-cv-00749-AWI-SKO HC 

ORDER APPOINTING FEDERAL DEFENDER 

AS COUNSEL FOR PETITIONER

(Doc. 12)

Petitioner, proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 

§ 2254, moves for appointment of counsel. In habeas proceedings, no absolute right to appointment of 

counsel currently exists. See, e.g., Anderson v. Heinze, 258 F.2d 479, 481 (9th Cir. 1958); Mitchell v. 

Wyrick, 727 F.2d 773, 774 (8th Cir. 1984). Nonetheless, a court may appoint counsel at any stage of the 

case "if the interests of justice so require." 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B); Rule 8(c), Rules Governing 

Section 2254 Cases. 

Petitioner provides documentation of a developmental disability that limits his ability to read, 

write, and understand legal materials. The Court also takes judicial notice of Petitioner’s repeated 

unsuccessful attempts to prosecute a petition for writ of habeas corpus. See Watkins v. Lamarque

(E.D.Cal. No 1:02-cv-05835-REC-SMS); Watkins v. Lamarque (E.D.Cal. No 1:02-cv-06360-AWIHGB); Watkins v. Knowles (E.D.Cal. No. 1:06-cv-01619-AWI-DLB); Watkins v. Hedgpeth (E.D.Cal. 

No. 1:07-cv-00767-AWI-DLB); Watkins v. Harrington (E.D.Cal. No. 1:10-cv-01834-SMS).

Case 1:16-cv-00749-AWI-SKO Document 13 Filed 10/07/16 Page 1 of 2
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Accordingly, the Court finds that the interests of justice require the appointment of counsel at 

this time. Pursuant to Rule 8(c) of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases, it is hereby ORDERED 

that the Federal Defender is APPOINTED to represent Petitioner.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 6, 2016 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto .

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-00749-AWI-SKO Document 13 Filed 10/07/16 Page 2 of 2