Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00430/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-00430-0/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOE MEREDITH,

Petitioner, No. CIV S-05-0430 MCE KJM P

vs.

D.L. RUNNELS, et al., 

Respondents. ORDER

 /

Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, has filed an application for a writ of

habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Petitioner has not, however, filed an in forma pauperis

affidavit or paid the required filing fee ($5.00). See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1914(a); 1915(a). Petitioner

will be provided the opportunity to either submit the appropriate affidavit in support of a request

to proceed in forma pauperis or submit the appropriate filing fee.

The court requires all petitions for writ of habeas corpus be filed on the proper

form which is provided by this court. Moreover, the court may limit its review of the petition for

relief to the information on the form only and need not consider any memoranda or attachments

to the petition. See Rule 2(c), Rules Governing § 2254 Cases. 

Petitioner is hereby notified that in order for this court to review his application,

he must refile his petition on the proper form. Furthermore, although petitioner may submit a

Case 2:05-cv-00430-MCE -KJM Document 6 Filed 05/23/05 Page 1 of 2
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separate memorandum to support his petition for relief, the court's application form must contain

all relevant claims, and must provide the court with all necessary information. 

Petitioner has also requested the appointment of counsel. There currently exists

no absolute right to appointment of counsel in habeas proceedings. See Nevius v. Sumner, 105

F.3d 453, 460 (9th Cir. 1996). However, 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), Fed. R.

Governing § 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. 

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Petitioner's application for writ of habeas corpus is dismissed with leave to

amend within thirty days from the date of this order;

2. Any amended petition must be filed on the form employed by this court and

must state all claims and prayers for relief on the form. It must bear the case number assigned to

this action and must bear the title “Amended Petition” and must be accompanied by the filing fee

or an application to proceed in forma pauperis;

3. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send petitioner this court’s form for a

petition for a writ of habeas corpus and an application to proceed in forma pauperis; and

4. Petitioner’s March 3, 2005 request for appointment of counsel is denied

without prejudice to a renewal of the motion at a later stage of the proceedings.

DATED: May 20, 2005.

______________________________________

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

2/kf

mere0430.101a+

Case 2:05-cv-00430-MCE -KJM Document 6 Filed 05/23/05 Page 2 of 2