Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00012/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00012-1/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LEO ARCHER, )

)

)

Petitioner, )

)

v. )

)

THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL )

HEALTH, et al., )

)

)

Respondents. )

____________________________________)

1:07-CV-00012-OWW-SMS-HC

ORDER GRANTING IN FORMA

PAUPERIS STATUS

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(Doc. 4)

Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, petitioner shall be authorized to

proceed in forma pauperis. 

Petitioner has filed a motion for appointment of counsel. 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 would be served by the appointment of counsel at the

Case 1:07-cv-00012-LJO -SMS Document 10 Filed 02/14/07 Page 1 of 2
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present time. There, the motion for appointment of counsel shall be denied.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Petitioner is authorized to proceed in forma pauperis;

2. Petitioner's motion for appointment of counsel is denied; and

3. The petition will be screened in due course.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 14, 2007 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

23ehd0 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:07-cv-00012-LJO -SMS Document 10 Filed 02/14/07 Page 2 of 2