Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00405/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00405-0/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 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MELVIN LEE WILSON,

Petitioner, No. CIV-S-05-0405 GEB KJM P 

vs.

SCOTT KERNAN, et al., 

Respondents. ORDER

 /

Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, has filed a petition for a writ of

habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, an application to proceed in forma pauperis and a

request for the appointment of counsel.

Examination of the in forma pauperis application reveals that petitioner is unable

to afford the costs of suit. Accordingly, the application to proceed in forma pauperis will be

granted. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).

There currently exists no absolute right to appointment of counsel in habeas

proceedings. See Nevius v. Sumner, 105 F.3d 453, 460 (9th Cir. 1996). However, 18 U.S.C.

§ 3006A authorizes the appointment of counsel at any stage of the case “if the interests of justice

so require.” See Rule 8(c), Fed. R. Governing § 2254 Cases. In the present case, the court does

not find that the interests of justice would be served by the appointment of counsel at the present

time. 

Case 2:05-cv-00405-GEB -KJM Document 6 Filed 04/26/05 Page 1 of 2
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Petitioner has filed a request for leave to file an amended habeas petition. Good

cause appearing, petitioner’s request will be granted. The court will order the Clerk of the Court

to send petitioner a form-application for writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 and

petitioner will be ordered to file his amended petition within thirty days. Petitioner may not raise

any claims in his amended petition that he has not first presented to the California Supreme

Court. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(b)(1); Picard v. Connor, 404 U.S. 270, 276 (1971). 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Petitioner’s application to proceed in forma pauperis is granted; 

2. Petitioner’s request for appointment of counsel is denied without prejudice to a

renewal of the motion at a later stage of the proceedings.

3. Petitioner’s March 29, 2005 motion for leave to file an amended petition for

writ of habeas corpus is granted;

4. Petitioner’s March 1, 2005 petition for writ of habeas corpus is dismissed and

plaintiff is granted thirty days within which to file an amended petition.

5. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send petitioner the court’s formapplication for writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. 

DATED: April 25, 2005.

______________________________________

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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wils0405.amd 

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