Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-04145/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-04145-2/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 Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JAMES CARLIN,

Petitioner,

 v.

ROBERT WONG, Acting Warden,

Respondent. /

No. C 06-4145 SI

ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

 Petitioner has filed a motion for appointment of counsel to represent him in this action.

Petitioner has submitted a declaration stating that he is unable to prepare court pleadings. Petitioner has

also submitted the declaration of Margaret Littlefield, an attorney employed by the Law Offices of

Michael Satris. Ms. Littlefield states that her office assisted petitioner with several state petitions for

writs of habeas corpus, and filed the instant petition as well as the opposition to respondent’s motion

to dismiss. Littlefield states, inter alia, that it is her opinion that petitioner is not able to adequately

present his legal claims to the Court. Littlefield also states that she or Michael Satris would be available

for appointment in this case should the Court decide to appoint counsel. 

A district court may 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.” 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B). The decision to appoint counsel is within the discretion

of the district court. See Chaney v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 1196 (9th Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 481 U.S.

1023 (1987). 

The Court finds that petitioner’s claims raise complex legal issues, and that petitioner is unable

to financially retain counsel. Accordingly, the Court GRANTS petitioner’s motion for appointment of

Case 3:06-cv-04145-SI Document 17 Filed 04/03/07 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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counsel, and APPOINTS Margaret Littlefield as petitioner’s counsel. (Docket No. 16). Petitioner shall

file a traverse on or before April 30, 2007.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 3, 2007 SUSAN ILLSTON

United States District Judge

Case 3:06-cv-04145-SI Document 17 Filed 04/03/07 Page 2 of 2