Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01462/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01462-3/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

JOSEPH LEE GURNSEY,

Petitioner,

vs.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA, et al.,

Respondent.

____________________________________/

1:07-cv-01462 AWI-TAG (HC) 

 

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(DOCUMENT #13)

On November 5, 2007, Petitioner requested the appointment of counsel. (Doc. 11). By

order dated December 4, 2007, the Court denied Petitioner’s request for appointment of counsel.

(Doc. 12). On December 10, 2007, Petitioner filed a second request for appointment of counsel.

(Doc. 13). 

Asindicated in theCourt’s order dated December 4, 2007 (Doc. 12) 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

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 and as indicated in its order dated December 4, 2007, the Court does

not find that the interests of justice would be served by the appointment of counsel at the present

time.

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Case 1:07-cv-01462-AWI -TAG Document 14 Filed 01/07/08 Page 1 of 2
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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Petitioner’s request for appointment of

counsel (Doc. 13) is denied.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 7, 2008 /s/ Theresa A. Goldner 

j6eb3d UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

Case 1:07-cv-01462-AWI -TAG Document 14 Filed 01/07/08 Page 2 of 2