Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_10-cv-00390/USCOURTS-caed-1_10-cv-00390-2/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)

---

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

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ANTHONY LOPEZ,

Petitioner,

vs.

MICHAEL MARTEL,

Respondent.

____________________________________/

1:10-cv-00390-JLT (HC) 

 

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(Doc. 3)

Petitioner has requested the appointment of counsel, citing as grounds therefore

Petitioner’s contention that an evidentiary hearing is required and appointed counsel necessary in

order to investigate various factual issues. (Doc. 3). There currently exists no absolute right to

appointment of counsel in habeas proceedings. See e.g., Anderson v. Heinze, 258 F.2d 479, 481

(9th Cir.), cert. denied, 358 U.S. 889 (1958); Mitchell v. Wyrick, 727 F.2d 773 (8th Cir.), cert.

denied, 469 U.S. 823 (1984). However, Title 18 U.S.C. § 3006A authorizes the appointment of

counsel at any stage of the case "if the interests of justice so require." See Rule 8(c), Rules

Governing Section 2254 Cases. 

In the present case, the Court does not find that the interests of justice require the

appointment of counsel at the present time. The Court has not conducted its preliminary screening

of the petition and therefore any request for an evidentiary hearing to resolve purported factual

disputes is premature. If the Court determines that an evidentiary hearing is required, the Court

Case 1:10-cv-00390-AWI-JLT Document 11 Filed 03/11/10 Page 1 of 2
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

will reconsider the need for appointment of counsel and Petitioner’s may renew his request at that

time. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Petitioner's request for appointment of

counsel (Doc. 3), is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 10, 2010 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

9j7khi UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

2

Case 1:10-cv-00390-AWI-JLT Document 11 Filed 03/11/10 Page 2 of 2