Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_03-cv-04654/USCOURTS-cand-5_03-cv-04654-0/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)

---

United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

*E-FILED - 3/12/08*

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOSEPH DAGNINO, JR.

Petitioner,

 v.

 DERRAL G. ADAMS, Warden

Respondent.

 /

No. C 03-4654 RMW (PR)

ORDER DENYING PETITIONER’S

MOTIONS FOR APPOINTMENT OF

COUNSEL; GRANTING FURTHER

EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE

TRAVERSE

(Docket Nos. 25, 32)

Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, seeks a writ of habeas corpus pursuant

to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Petitioner has filed two motions for appointment of counsel. The court

DENIES petitioner’s motions for appointment of counsel (docket nos. 25, 32 ) without

prejudice. 

DISCUSSION

Petitioner moves the court for appointment of counsel. Petitioner requests

appointment of counsel because he is indigent, he is a layman at law, and the issues

presented are complex and require an evidentiary hearing. Petitioner alleges that due to his

incarceration, he does not have equal access to legal materials and resources as compared to

the respondent. However, the Sixth Amendment’s right to counsel does not apply in habeas

corpus actions. Knaubert v. Goldsmith, 791 F.2d 722, 728 (9th Cir. 1986). 

Case 5:03-cv-04654-RMW Document 35 Filed 03/12/08 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Order Denying Petitioner’s Motions for Appointment of Counsel; Granting Further Extension of Time to File Traverse

P:\PRO-SE\SJ.Rmw\HC.03\Dagnino654atty.wpd 2

While 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B) authorizes a district court to appoint counsel to represent

a habeas petitioner if “the court determines that the interests of justice so require,” the courts

have made appointment of counsel the exception rather than the rule. Appointment is

mandatory only when the circumstances of a particular case indicate that appointed counsel

is necessary to prevent due process violations. See Chaney v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 1196

(9th Cir. 1986); Eskridge v. Rhay, 345 F.2d 778, 782 (9th Cir. 1965). 

The court concludes that the interest of justice do not require appointment of counsel

at this time. Petitioner has aptly presented his claims and no evidentiary hearing appears

necessary. Accordingly, petitioner’s motions for appointment of counsel (docket nos. 25, 32)

are DENIED without prejudice. However, the court will grant petitioner a further extension

of time to file his traverse. Petitioner shall file his traverse, and serve a copy on respondent, 

within thirty (30) days of the date of this order. 

 Petitioner must keep the court and all parties informed of any change of address by

filing a separate paper captioned “Notice of Change of Address.” He must comply with the

court’s orders in a timely fashion. Failure to do so may result in the dismissal of this action

for failure to prosecute pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b). 

 IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 3/12/08 

RONALD M. WHYTE

United States District Judge 

Case 5:03-cv-04654-RMW Document 35 Filed 03/12/08 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Order Denying Petitioner’s Motions for Appointment of Counsel; Granting Further Extension of Time to File Traverse

P:\PRO-SE\SJ.Rmw\HC.03\Dagnino654atty.wpd 3

This is to certify that on 3/12/08, a copy of this ruling was mailed to the following:

Joseph Dagnino, Jr. 

T-22238 

CSATF State Prison 

P.O. Box 5242 

Corcoran, CA 93212 

Case 5:03-cv-04654-RMW Document 35 Filed 03/12/08 Page 3 of 3