Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_20-cv-00667/USCOURTS-caed-2_20-cv-00667-1/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

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JERRY PROFFITT,

Petitioner,

v.

JOE LIZARRAG, Warden,

Respondent.

No. 2:20-cv-00667 KJM GGH P

ORDER

Petitioner has requested the appointment of counsel. There currently exists no absolute 

right to appointment of counsel in habeas proceedings. See Nevius v. Sumner, 105 F.3d 453, 460 

(9th Cir. 1996). However, 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), Fed. R. Governing § 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 present time. 

In addition, petitioner has requested discovery in the form of an evidentiary hearing and 

subpoenas. ECF No. 13. “A habeas petitioner, unlike the usual civil litigant in federal court, is not 

entitled to discovery as a matter of ordinary course.” Bracy v. Gramley, 520 U.S. 899, 904, 117 S. 

Ct. 1793, 1796–97, 138 L. Ed. 2d 97 (1997). Rule 6 of the Rules Governing § 2254 Cases 

provides discovery, at the court’s discretion, and upon a showing of good cause. Id. However, 

here, discovery would not be appropriate given this action is successive and has been 

Case 2:20-cv-00667-KJM-GGH Document 19 Filed 06/10/20 Page 1 of 2
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recommended to be dismissed without prejudice to its re-filing upon obtaining authorization from 

the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Petitioner’s motion for appointment of counsel (ECF No. 15) is denied without 

prejudice; and

2. Petitioner motion for pre-trial hearing (ECF No. 13) is denied.

Dated: June 10, 2020

 /s/ Gregory G. Hollows

UNITED STATES MAGITRATE JUDGE

Case 2:20-cv-00667-KJM-GGH Document 19 Filed 06/10/20 Page 2 of 2