Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01829/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-01829-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 463
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Alien Detainee
Cause of Action: 28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

---

1

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

29

30

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

29

30

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ESTEBAN HERNANDEZ,

Petitioner,

v.

DHS/ICE and LORETTA LYNCH, Attorney 

General,

Respondents.

CASE NO. 1:15-cv-01829-BAM HC 

ORDER DENYING PETITIONER’S MOTION 

FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(Docs. 2 and 7)

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

2241, moves for appointment of counsel. Petitioner contends that appointment of counsel is required 

since (1) he lacks the financial means to hire counsel; (2) is unable to investigate his claims while 

incarcerated; (3) his case is unduly complex; and (4) he has been unable to find counsel who will 

represent him without cost. 

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’s contentions for appointment of counsel are the same as those of nearly all petitioners 

for writs of habeas corpus. Petitioner has competently filed his petition and motion for appointment of 

counsel, presenting well reasoned arguments supported by appropriate legal citations. Accordingly, the 

Court finds no evidence that the interests of justice require the appointment of counsel at this time. 

Petitioner's motion for appointment of counsel is hereby DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 15, 2015 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-01829-DAD-SKO Document 20 Filed 12/16/15 Page 1 of 1