Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-cv-04919/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-cv-04919-1/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

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JAMES R.W. MITCHELL,

Petitioner,

v.

CSP-CORCORAN, et al.,

Respondents.

Case No. 15-cv-04919-VC (PR)

ORDER DENYING PETITIONER’S 

REQUEST FOR APPOINTMENT OF 

COUNSEL

On October 26, 2015, James Mitchell filed a motion for appointment of counsel in this 

habeas action. The Sixth Amendment right to counsel does not apply in habeas corpus actions. 

See Knaubert v. Goldsmith, 791 F.2d 722, 728 (9th Cir. 1986). Title 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B), 

however, authorizes a district court to appoint counsel to represent a habeas petitioner whenever 

“the court determines that the interests of justice so require” and such person is financially unable 

to obtain representation. Appointment is mandatory only when the circumstances of a particular 

case indicate that appointed counsel is necessary to prevent due process violations. See Chaney, 

801 F.2d at 1196; Eskridge v. Rhay, 345 F.2d 778, 782 (9th Cir. 1965). 

The Court finds that exceptional circumstances entitling Mitchell to court appointed 

counsel do not exist at this time. Accordingly, the interests of justice do not require appointment 

of counsel, and Mitchell’s motion is DENIED. This denial is without prejudice to the Court’s sua 

sponte reconsideration should the Court find appointment of counsel is necessary following 

consideration of the merits of Mitchell’s claims.

This Order terminates Docket No. 2.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 

______________________________________

VINCE CHHABRIA

United States District Judge

November 9, 2015

Case 3:15-cv-04919-VC Document 4 Filed 11/09/15 Page 1 of 1