Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_05-cv-03557/USCOURTS-cand-3_05-cv-03557-3/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KENNETH SINGLETON,

Petitioner,

 v.

RODERICK W. HICKMAN,

Respondent /

No. C 05-03557 WHA

AMENDED ORDER GRANTING

MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF

COUNSEL

In this habeas action under 28 U.S.C. 2254, petitioner has requested appointment of

counsel. The motion is GRANTED because petitioner is indigent, has suffered serious mental

illness, did not finish high school and faces complex legal issues. 

This Court approved petitioner’s application to proceed in forma pauperis. Carol

Strickman wishes to represent him. This experienced criminal-law attorney drafted the instant

motion, wrote the petition for a writ of habeas corpus and represented petitioner in his

unsuccessful state-court appeal. She has specialized in criminal appeals for sixteen years. Ms.

Strickman also represented five federal habeas petitioners. 

Title 18 U.S.C. 3006A(a)(2)(B) authorizes district courts to appoint counsel for habeas

petitioners when “the court determines that the interests of justice so require.” 

The Clerk is ORDERED to provide this order to the Office of the Federal Public Defender. 

The public defender is ORDERED to advise the Court by January 17, 2006, on whether the

appointment of Ms. Strickman would be in petitioner’s best interest and consistent with U.S.

District Court, Northern District of California, General Order No. 2 III.E. If it is not, the federal

public defender is requested to find an attorney to represent petitioner and so advise the Court by

February 2, 2006. 

Case 3:05-cv-03557-WHA Document 12 Filed 12/07/05 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Upon receiving the public defender’s evaluation and recommendation, this Court will

decide who will represent petitioner. 

This order supercedes and replaces the order granting the motion to appoint counsel that

is docketed as item number 11. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 7, 2005 

WILLIAM ALSUP

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:05-cv-03557-WHA Document 12 Filed 12/07/05 Page 2 of 2