Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_08-cv-05614/USCOURTS-cand-5_08-cv-05614-2/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 Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JEFFREY RYNHARD,

Petitioner,

 v.

M. S. EVANS, et al.,

Respondents. /

No. C 08-05614 CW (PR)

ORDER DENYING SECOND MOTION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL; AND

GRANTING SECOND EXTENSION OF

TIME TO FILE TRAVERSE

Petitioner has filed a second motion for appointment of

counsel in this action. Petitioner has also requested a second

extension of time to file his traverse.

The Sixth Amendment right to counsel does not apply in habeas

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

Cir. 1986). Title 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B), however, authorizes

a district court to appoint counsel to represent a habeas

petitioner whenever "the court determines that the interests of

justice so require" and such person is financially unable to obtain

representation. The decision to appoint counsel is within the

discretion of the district court. See Chaney v. Lewis, 801 F.2d

1191, 1196 (9th Cir. 1986); Knaubert, 791 F.2d at 728; Bashor v.

Risley, 730 F.2d 1228, 1234 (9th Cir. 1984). The courts have made

appointment of counsel the exception rather than the rule by

limiting it to: (1) capital cases; (2) cases that turn on

substantial and complex procedural, legal or mixed legal and

factual questions; (3) cases involving uneducated or mentally or

physically impaired petitioners; (4) cases likely to require the

assistance of experts either in framing or in trying the claims;

Case 5:08-cv-05614-LHK Document 12 Filed 03/17/10 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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(5) cases in which petitioner is in no position to investigate

crucial facts; and (6) factually complex cases. See generally 1 J.

Liebman & R. Hertz, Federal Habeas Corpus Practice and Procedure

§ 12.3b at 383-86 (2d ed. 1994). Appointment is mandatory only

when the circumstances of a particular case indicate that appointed

counsel is necessary to prevent due process violations. See

Chaney, 801 F.2d at 1196; Eskridge v. Rhay, 345 F.2d 778, 782 (9th

Cir. 1965). 

The Court finds that appointment of counsel is not warranted

in this case. Petitioner's claims are typical claims that arise in

criminal appeals and are not especially complex. This is not an

exceptional case that would warrant representation on federal

habeas review. Therefore, Petitioner's second motion for

appointment of counsel is DENIED. This denial is without prejudice

to reconsideration should the Court on its own motion find an

evidentiary hearing necessary following consideration of the merits

of Petitioner's claims. 

Petitioner's request for a second extension of time to file a

traverse is GRANTED. Petitioner's traverse is due thirty (30) days

from the date this Order is signed. If no traverse is received on

that date, the matter will be deemed submitted and ready for

decision. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 3/17/2010 

CLAUDIA WILKEN

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 5:08-cv-05614-LHK Document 12 Filed 03/17/10 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JEFFREY RYNHARD,

Plaintiff,

 v.

M.S. EVANS et al,

Defendant. /

Case Number: CV08-05614 CW 

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I, the undersigned, hereby certify that I am an employee in the Office of the Clerk, U.S. District

Court, Northern District of California.

That on March 17, 2010, I SERVED a true and correct copy(ies) of the attached, by placing said

copy(ies) in a postage paid envelope addressed to the person(s) hereinafter listed, by depositing

said envelope in the U.S. Mail, or by placing said copy(ies) into an inter-office delivery

receptacle located in the Clerk's office.

Jeffery A. Rynhard F-20916

C2, 236-L

California State Prison

Los Angeles County

P.O. Box 4610

Lancaster, CA 93539

Dated: March 17, 2010

Richard W. Wieking, Clerk

By: Sheilah Cahill, Deputy Clerk

Case 5:08-cv-05614-LHK Document 12 Filed 03/17/10 Page 3 of 3