Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-01777/USCOURTS-casd-3_12-cv-01777-0/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

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RONNIE JONES,

Plaintiff,

v.

L.S. McEWEN,

Defendants. 

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Civil No. 12cv1777 LAB (NLS)

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

[Doc. No. 16]

Petitioner Ronnie Jones, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, filed a habeas petition contesting the

constitutionality of his confinement due to ineffective assistance of counsel. Petitioner asks the court to

appoint counsel to represent him on his habeas petition. He argues that the court should appoint counsel

because he cannot afford to hire an attorney. The court has considered Petitioner’s request and

DENIES without prejudice his motion to appoint counsel.

Right to Counsel.

The Sixth Amendment right to counsel does not extend to federal habeas corpus actions by state

prisoners. Chaney v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 1196 (9th Cir. 1986). But financially eligible habeas

petitioners may obtain counsel whenever the court “determines that the interests of justice so require.’” 

18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B); Terrovona v. Kincheloe, 912 F.2d 1176, 1181 (9th Cir. 1990).

The interests of justice require appointment of counsel when the court conducts an evidentiary

hearing on the petition. Id. at 1177; Knaubert v. Goldsmith, 791 F.2d 722, 728 (9th Cir. 1986). When

no evidentiary hearing is necessary, appointment of counsel is discretionary. Id. In the Ninth Circuit,

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indigent prisoners are not entitled to appointed counsel unless counsel is necessary to prevent due

process violations.” Chaney, 801 F.2d at 1196; Knaubert, 791 F.2d at 728-29.

Here, Petitioner has sufficiently represented himself to date. It appears that Petitioner has a good

grasp of this case and the legal issues involved. At this point the issues do not appear so complex such

that Petitioner cannot litigate them. Also, it is not evident at this time that an evidentiary hearing is

necessary. Under these circumstances, a district court does not abuse its discretion in denying a state

prisoner’s request for appointment of counsel. See LaMere v. Risley, 827 F.2d 622, 626 (9th Cir. 1987).

Petitions Filed by Pro Se Litigants.

Federal courts highly protect a pro se petitioner’s rights. Knaubert, 791 F.2d at 729 (citation

omitted). The court must construe a pro se petition more liberally than a petition drafted by counsel. Id.

It must also “scrutinize the state court record independently to determine whether the state court

procedures and findings were sufficient.” Id. Even if the court accepts a state court’s factual findings, it

must draw its own legal conclusion regarding the legality of the incarceration. Id. The appellate court

will review the district court’s conclusion de novo. Id. 

The court acknowledges that counsel can provide valuable assistance: “An attorney may narrow

the issues and elicit relevant information from his or her client. An attorney may highlight the record

and present to the court a reasoned analysis of the controlling law.” Knaubert, 791 F.2d at 729. The

court, however, also notes that “unless an evidentiary hearing is held, an attorney’s skill in developing

and presenting new evidence is largely superfluous; the district court is entitled to rely on the state court

record alone.” Id.

This court will review the trial record independently, draw its own legal conclusion and inform

itself of the relevant law. Therefore, the additional assistance counsel could provide, while significant,

is not compelling. Also, Petitioner has already sufficiently pleaded his claims, warranting this court’s

order directing Respondent to file an answer or other responsive pleading. The court finds that

Petitioner, at this point, is capable to litigate the claims in his habeas petition.

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Here, the “interests of justice” do not compel the appointment of counsel. Accordingly,

Petitioner’s request for appointment of counsel is DENIED without prejudice.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: May 1, 2013

Hon. Nita L. Stormes

U.S. Magistrate Judge

United States District Court

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