Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-01302/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-01302-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 463
Nature of Suit: Habeas Corpus - Alien Detainee
Cause of Action: 28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (federal)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TRISTAN PABLO-RIVERA, Civil No. 11cv1302-AJB(CAB)

Petitioner,

ORDER (1) GRANTING

PETITIONER’S REQUEST FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL; AND

(2)SETTING BRIEFING SCHEDULE

v.

JANET NAPOLITANO, SECRETARY OF

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND

SECURITY; ERIC HOLDER, ATTORNEY

GENERAL; ROBIN BAKER, DIRECTOR OF

SAN DIEGO FIELD OFFICE, BUREAU OF

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS

ENFORCEMENT; JOHN WILLIAMS,

OFFICER-IN-CHARGE,

Respondents.

Petitioner, an Immigration and Customs’ detainee, has submitted a petition for writ of habeas

corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 together with a motion for appointment of counsel. 

Petitioner filed a request for appointment of counsel pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3006A

concurrently with his petition. Under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B), financially eligible habeas

petitioners seeking relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 may obtain representation whenever a

magistrate judge or the district court “determines that the interests of justice so require.” 18 U.S.C. §

3006A(a)(2)(B); Terrovona v. Kincheloe, 912 F.2d 1176, 1181 (9th Cir. 1990). District courts have

discretion to appoint an attorney to represent indigent civil litigants upon a showing of exceptional

circumstances. See Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1991); Burns v. County of

King, 883 F.2d 819, 823 (9th Cir. 1989). “A finding of exceptional circumstances requires an

evaluation of both the ‘likelihood of success on the merits and the ability of the plaintiff to articulate

Case 3:11-cv-01302-AJB-KSC Document 6 Filed 06/28/11 Page 1 of 2
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his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved.’ Neither of these issues is

dispositive and both must be viewed together before reaching a decision.’” Terrell, 935 F.2d at 1017

(quoting Wilborn v. Escalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986)).

Given the nature of the issues raised in the petition, the Court finds that the appointment of

counsel is appropriate. Accordingly, the Court GRANTS Petitioner’s request for appointment of

counsel and APPOINTS Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. to represent Petitioner. 

In addition, Respondents shall file and serve a return to the petition on or before July 29,

2011. The government’s response shall include all documents relevant to the issues raised in the

petition. Petitioner may file a reply to the Government’s return on or before August 26, 2011. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: June 28, 2011

Hon. Anthony J. Battaglia

U.S. District Judge

Case 3:11-cv-01302-AJB-KSC Document 6 Filed 06/28/11 Page 2 of 2