Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_02-cv-05472/USCOURTS-caed-1_02-cv-05472-5/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

RICHARD OLIVER, )

)

Petitioner, )

)

v. )

)

ANTHONY LAMARQUE, )

)

Respondent. )

 ) 

1:02-cv-05472-OWW-TAG HC 

 

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO

SUBSTITUTE PETITIONER IN PROPRIA

PERSONA AS COUNSEL OF RECORD

(Doc. 31)

ORDER DIRECTING CLERK OF

COURT TO REMOVE 

GARY MICHAEL DIAMOND

AS ATTORNEY OF RECORD AND

SUBSTITUTE PETITIONER IN PROPRIA

PERSONA FOR ALL PURPOSES

Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding pro se in a habeas corpus action pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 2254. 

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On August 29, 2005, the Magistrate Judge filed a Report and Recommendation

recommending that the petition be denied. (Doc. 17). On September 19, 2005, Petitioner filed a

motion to extend time to file objections to the Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation of

August 29, 2005. (Doc. 19). That motion was granted on October 14, 2005. (Doc. 23). On

November 3, 2005, Petitioner filed a second motion for extension of time to file his objections. 

(Doc. 25). That motion was granted on November 28, 2005. (Doc. 27). On December 21, 2005,

Case 1:02-cv-05472-OWW -TAG Document 32 Filed 01/04/06 Page 1 of 3
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Petitioner filed his objections pro se.

The original petition for writ of habeas corpus was filed on April 26, 2002, on behalf of

petitioner by his attorney, Gary Michael Diamond. (Doc. 1). Similarly, the traverse was also filed

by counsel of record Mr. Diamond, on Petitioner’s behalf, on December 13, 2002. (Doc. 13). On

August 9, 2004, in an apparent effort to replace Mr. Diamond with Petitioner as counsel of record,

Petitioner filed a “Notice of Dismissed Counsel In The Above Case Number.” (Doc. 16). In that

notice, Petitioner indicates that Mr. Diamond “has discontinued his representation of my petition. 

All legal correspondence should now be forwarded to me as the Pro-Se petition.” (Id.). However,

that document was insufficient to effect a change in the attorney of record from Mr. Diamond to

Petitioner because it was not properly filed with a proof of service on all parties. Fed. Rule of Civ.

Proc. Rule 5(a), (b), and (d). Because no motion for withdrawal or substitution of counsel had been

properly filed with the Court, on December 15, 2005, the Court issued an Informational Order to

Petitioner indicating that he could either file a motion to substitute counsel pursuant to Local Rule

83-182(g), or else the instant motion to substitute himself, in propria persona, for his attorney of

record, Mr. Diamond. (Doc. 29). 

On December 29, 2005, Petitioner filed the instant motion to substitute himself in propria

personal for Mr. Diamond. (Doc. 31). In support of the motion, Petitioner attached a declaration in

which he indicates that Mr. Diamond is no longer admitted to practice law in the State of California. 

(Doc. 31, Dec. of Richard G. Oliver, p. 1). The Court’s own review of the records of the California

State Bar confirm Petitioner’s allegation. The State Bar of California’s website indicates that Mr.

Diamond was suspended from the practice of law on October 3, 2004, and that he resigned from the

practice of law on January 13, 2005, with charges pending from the State Bar of California. Thus,

no hearing is required on this matter since it is uncontroverted that Mr. Diamond can no longer

represent Petitioner in these proceedings.

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ORDER

Accordingly, GOOD CAUSE appearing therefor, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Petitioner’s motion to substitute Petitioner in Propria Persona as Counsel of Record

(Doc. 31), is GRANTED; and,

2. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to remove Gary Michael Diamond as attorney of record

for Petitioner in this case, and to designate Petitioner as acting in propria persona for all

purposes.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 3, 2006 /s/ Theresa A. Goldner 

j6eb3d UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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