Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00044/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00044-1/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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U.S . District Court

 E. D . California cd 1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ANTONIO V. MONTANO, )

)

Petitioner, )

)

v. )

)

STANISLAUS COUNTY, et al., )

)

Respondents. )

 )

1:06-CV-0044 OWW LJO HC

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

[Doc. #3]

ORDER DENYING MOTION TO APPOINT

COUNSEL

[Doc. #2]

Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254.

On December 30, 2005, Petitioner filed an application to proceed in forma pauperis along

with a certified copy of his prison trust account. Examination of these documents reveals that

Petitioner is unable to afford the costs of this action. Accordingly, the motion to proceed in forma

pauperis is GRANTED. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915.

Also on December 30, 2005, Petitioner filed a motion to appoint counsel. There currently

exists no absolute right to appointment of counsel in habeas proceedings. See e.g., Anderson v.

Heinze, 258 F.2d 479, 481 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 358 U.S. 889 (1958); Mitchell v. Wyrick, 727 F.2d

773 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 823 (1984). However, Title 18 U.S.C. § 3006A authorizes the

Case 1:06-cv-00044-OWW -LJO Document 8 Filed 01/26/06 Page 1 of 2
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appointment of counsel at any stage of the case “if the interests of justice so require.” See Rule 8(c),

Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases. In the present case, the Court does not find that the interests

of justice would be served by the appointment of counsel at the present time. Accordingly,

Petitioner’s request for appointment of counsel is DENIED without prejudice. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 25, 2006 /s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill 

23ehd0 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:06-cv-00044-OWW -LJO Document 8 Filed 01/26/06 Page 2 of 2