Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_08-cv-00808/USCOURTS-casd-3_08-cv-00808-0/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 (federal)

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08cv808

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SENGKHAM KOULAVONGSA,

[A23-743-134],

Petitioner,

v.

MICHAEL CHERTOFF, et al.,

Respondents. 

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Civil No. 08-CV-808-L(LSP)

ORDER GRANTING REQUEST

FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

[doc. #3]; GRANTING MOTION TO

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

[doc. #2] and TO SHOW CAUSE

WHY THE PETITION SHOULD

NOT BE GRANTED

Petitioner filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241,

together with a request to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a), and a motion

for appointment of counsel under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A. 

1. Motions to Proceed In Forma Pauperis

Petitioner seeks in forma pauperis status and has provided an Inmate Account Statemente

indicating that petitioner has no money on account and during the past six months had no money

on account. Accordingly, the Court GRANTS the request to proceed in forma pauperis. 

2. Motion for Appointment of Counsel

Petitioner also moves for appointment of counsel under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2). Under

this statute, the district court may appoint counsel for financially eligible petitioners seeking

relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 when the interests of justice so require. The Court considers

whether there is a likelihood of success on the merits and whether the unrepresented petitioner

Case 3:08-cv-00808-L-LSP Document 5 Filed 05/07/08 Page 1 of 2
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has the ability to articulate his claims in light of the complexity of the issues presented. 

Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954 (9th Cir. 1983). 

Petitioner is financially eligible for a court-appointed attorney. Having carefully

considered petitioner’s motion, the record, and applicable law, the Court finds that the interests

of justice require appointment of counsel. Based upon petitioner’s motion and the declaration

of Janet Tung, an attorney with the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., who indicates she is

ready and able to assist the petitioner in the case, petitioner’s motion for appointment of counsel

is GRANTED and the Court appoints the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. to represent

petitioner. 

3. Order to Show Cause.

Having received and reviewed Petitioner’s petition for writ of habeas corpus under 28

U.S.C. § 2241, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

Respondents shall file a return to the petition for writ of habeas corpus on or before June

4, 2008. Respondents shall include copies of all pertinent documents, orders, and transcripts

relevant to this motion, and shall also make a recommendation regarding the need for an

evidentiary hearing on the merits of the Petition. Petitioner shall file a traverse on or before July

2, 2008. The matter will be deemed under submission at that time. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: May 7, 2008

M. James Lorenz

United States District Court Judge

COPY TO: 

HON. LEO S. PAPAS

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

ALL COUNSEL/PARTIES

Case 3:08-cv-00808-L-LSP Document 5 Filed 05/07/08 Page 2 of 2