Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-01474/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-01474-0/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 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

EDDIE PEREZ, 

Petitioner, 

v. 

UNKNOWN, 

Respondent. 

No. 2:23-cv-1489 AC P 

ORDER 

 Petitioner, an unrepresented state prisoner who wishes to challenge his conviction, has 

requested leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. ECF No. 3. 

Petitioner has also filed a motion for the appointment of counsel. ECF No. 4. 

 For the reasons stated below, petitioner’s motions will be denied and this case will be 

closed. 

 I. IN FORMA PAUPERIS APPLICATION 

 Examination of the in forma pauperis application reveals that as of August 28, 2023, 

petitioner had $1,060.97 in his prisoner trust fund account. ECF No. 3 at 4. Therefore, petitioner 

is able to afford the costs of suit and pay the $5.00 filing fee. Accordingly, the application to 

proceed in forma pauperis will be denied. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). However, for the reasons 

addressed below, it will be recommended that this case be summarily dismissed. Accordingly, 

petitioner will not be ordered to pay the filing fee. 

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 II. FAILURE TO FILE A PETITION 

 On July 21, 2023, this case was opened on the basis of a letter that petitioner submitted to 

the court. ECF No. 1. The single-page document contained no claims for relief, but requested an 

extension of time to file a petition in this court because petitioner believed that the applicable 

statute of limitations was about to expire. Id. 

 On August 2, 2023, the court issued an order denying petitioner an extension of time to 

file a federal habeas petition. ECF No. 2. The court explained to petitioner that it has no 

authority to prospectively alter or extend the statutory limitations period. Id. at 1. Petitioner was 

provided an opportunity to submit a petition. He was told that if he were to complete a petition 

for writ of habeas corpus that briefly stated his claims, and he timely signed and delivered the 

petition for mailing within the one-year statutory period, the court might be able to consider that 

petition on the merits. Id. at 1-2. The Clerk of Court was directed to send petitioner a form 

petition for writ of habeas corpus, and petitioner was cautioned that a failure to file a timely 

petition would result in this case be closed. Id. at 2. 

 Petitioner has not filed a federal habeas petition. Accordingly, there are no claims for the 

court to consider, and none to dismiss. The case will be closed. 

 III. MOTION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL 

 Petitioner seeks the appointment of counsel on the ground that he is “struggling mentally” 

with processing information and with doing legal work. ECF No. 4. Id. at 2. He states that he is 

currently in a mental health facility. See id. The court cannot appoint counsel where a case has 

not been properly commenced with the filing of a petition. Appointment of counsel in noncapital cases does not extend to the pre-filing period. The motion must be denied. 

CONCLUSION 

 Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 

 1. Petitioner’s application to proceed in forma pauperis (ECF No. 3) is DENIED; 

 2. Petitioner’s motion for the appointment of counsel (ECF No. 4) is DENIED; and 

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 3. The Clerk of Court is directed to ADMINISTRATIVELY CLOSE this case. 

DATED: September 27, 2023 

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