Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01220/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-01220-0/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

WILLIAM ROBERT STANKEWITZ, JR., )

)

Petitioner, )

)

v. )

)

DERRAL G. ADAMS, Warden, )

)

)

Respondent. )

____________________________________)

1:06-cv-1220-OWW-TAG HC 

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(Doc. 4)

Petitioner has requested the appointment of counsel. (Doc. 4). 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. 

Petitioner’s request for appointment of counsel is based on his assertion that an

evidentiary hearing is required at which he would be entitled to counsel. (Doc. 4, p. 1). However,

Petitioner is premature in his assertion that an evidentiary hearing is warranted, since the Court has

not conducted a preliminaryscreening of the petition, nor has Respondent been ordered to answer.

It is far from clear that an evidentiary hearing would be required in this case. At this stage of the

proceedings, therefore, the Court does not find that the interests of justice require the appointment

of counsel. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Petitioner's request for appointment of

counsel (Doc. 4), is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

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

j6eb3d UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

Case 1:06-cv-01220-LJO -JLT Document 5 Filed 10/03/06 Page 1 of 1