Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_12-cv-05753/USCOURTS-cand-5_12-cv-05753-18/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

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

KEITH STAMPS,

Plaintiff,

v.

RANDY GROUNDS,

Defendant.

Case No. 12-cv-05753-BLF 

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR 

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL AND 

TERMINATING AS MOOT MOTION 

TO WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL

[Re: ECF 45]

On February 3, 2016, Donald Thomas Bergerson, counsel for Petitioner Keith Stamps, 

filed a motion to withdraw as counsel. ECF 45. Mr. Bergerson “predicat[ed] his withdrawal 

motion on the provision of replacement counsel for the indigent [Petitioner Keith Stamps].” Id. 

Moreover, Mr. Bergerson stated, “should the Court deny the appointment of counsel, undersigned 

asks that the motion [to withdraw] be denied without prejudice[.]” Id. The Court thus construes 

this as a motion for appointment of counsel embedded in the motion to withdraw. 

The Sixth Amendment’s right to counsel does not apply in habeas corpus actions. See

Knaubert v. Goldsmith, 791 F.2d 722, 728 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 867 (1986). Unless an 

evidentiary hearing is required, the decision to appoint counsel is within the discretion of the 

district court. See Knaubert, 791 F.2d at 728; Bashor v. Risley, 730 F.2d 1228, 1234 (9th Cir.), 

cert. denied, 469 U.S. 838 (1984). An evidentiary hearing does not appear necessary at this time, 

and there are no exceptional circumstances to warrant appointment of counsel. Accordingly, the 

motion for appointment of counsel is DENIED without prejudice. Additionally, and in light of the 

Case 5:12-cv-05753-BLF Document 46 Filed 02/06/17 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

Court’s ruling, the motion to withdraw as counsel is TERMINATED AS MOOT.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 6, 2017

 ______________________________________

BETH LABSON FREEMAN

United States District Judge

Case 5:12-cv-05753-BLF Document 46 Filed 02/06/17 Page 2 of 2