Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-00172/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-00172-1/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Petitioner, a state prisoner, has pending a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed pursuant to 

28 U.S.C. § 2254 (Doc. No. 1) that was transferred to this Court on February 10, 2022 (Doc. No. 5). 

Pending are Petitioner’s motion to appoint counsel filed February 7, 2022 (Doc. No. 2) and February

22, 2022 (Doc. No. 8). Petitioner seeks appointment of counsel due to his indigence and lack of legal

training. Doc. Nos. 2, 8. 

There is no automatic, constitutional right to counsel in federal habeas proceedings. See 

Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 752 (1991); Anderson v. Heinze, 258 F.2d 479, 481 (9th Cir. 

1958). The Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, however, authorizes this court to appoint 

counsel for a financially eligible person who seeks relief under § 2254 when the “court determines that 

the interests of justice so require.” Id. at § 3006A(a)(2)(B); see also Chaney v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 

1196 (9th Cir. 1986). Moreover, the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases in the United States District 

Courts require the court to appoint counsel: (1) when the court has authorized discovery upon a 

KENNETH JAMES WEST,

 Petitioner,

v.

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF 

CALIFORNIA,

Respondent.

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Case No.: 1:22-cv-00172-BAK (HBK) (HC)

ORDER DENYING MOTIONS FOR 

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(Docs. 2, 8)

Case 1:22-cv-00172-KES-CDB Document 11 Filed 02/23/22 Page 1 of 2
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showing of good cause and appointment of counsel is necessary for effective discovery; or (2) when 

the court has determined that an evidentiary hearing is warranted. Id. at Rs. 6(a) and 8(c).

This case is at the early stages. Respondent has not yet been directed to respond to the 

Petition. Based upon the record, the court finds Petitioner has not demonstrated that appointment of 

counsel is necessary at this stage of the proceedings. Provided Petitioner meets the criteria set forth in 

18 U.S.C. § 3006A, the court will consider appointing counsel to represent Petitioner if the court later 

finds good cause to permit discovery or if the court decides that an evidentiary hearing is warranted in 

this matter.

Accordingly, it is ORDERED:

Petitioner’s motions for appointment of counsel (Doc. Nos. 2, 8) are DENIED without 

prejudice.

Dated: February 23, 2022 

HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

 

Case 1:22-cv-00172-KES-CDB Document 11 Filed 02/23/22 Page 2 of 2