Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00169/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00169-0/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STEVE WILHELM,

Petitioner,

v.

RAYTHEL FISHER, JR., Warden,

Respondent.

CASE NO. 1:16-cv-00169-SKO HC 

ORDER DENYING PETITIONER’S MOTION 

FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(Doc. 3)

Petitioner, proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 

§ 2254, moves for appointment of counsel. In habeas proceedings, no absolute right to appointment of 

counsel currently exists. See, e.g., Anderson v. Heinze, 258 F.2d 479, 481 (9th Cir. 1958); Mitchell v. 

Wyrick, 727 F.2d 773, 774 (8th Cir. 1984). Nonetheless, a court may appoint counsel at any stage of the 

case "if the interests of justice so require." 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B); Rule 8(c), Rules Governing 

Section 2254 Cases.

Petitioner contends that appointment of counsel is required since (1) he is proceeding pro se; (2) 

he has limited access to a law library and limited legal knowledge; and (3) he is unprepared to examine 

witnesses. He shares these three conditions with nearly all petitioners for writs of habeas corpus. In 

addition, since most habeas corpus petitions before this Court are resolved without the necessity of an 

evidentiary hearing, appointing counsel to handle the examination of witnesses would be premature. 

The Court finds no evidence that the interests of justice require the appointment of counsel at this time. 

Petitioner's motion for appointment of counsel is hereby DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 8, 2016 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-00169-SKO Document 6 Filed 02/08/16 Page 1 of 1