Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_14-cv-01920/USCOURTS-cand-4_14-cv-01920-2/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 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

AUDENCIO MALDONADO,

Petitioner,

v.

PARAMO, Warden,

Respondent. 

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No. C 14-1920 JSW (PR) 

ORDER GRANTING MOTION

FOR RECONSIDERATION;

APPOINTING COUNSEL;

REFERRING CASE TO

FEDERAL PUBLIC

DEFENDER; EXTENDING

TIME; REOPENING CASE;

INSTRUCTIONS TO CLERK

(Dkt. 9) 

Petitioner, a California prisoner proceeding pro se, filed a pro se petition for a

writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C § 2254. The case was dismissed because he did

not pay the filing fee or file an application to proceed in forma pauperis, nor did he file a

signed petition, by the deadlines. 

Another inmate, Carlos Brocatto, has filed a “motion to show cause” in which he

explains that Petitioner’s mental capacity is so low that he is incapable of preparing or

understanding legal documents and the it was Mr. Brocatto who prepared Petitioner’s

federal habeas petition. Mr. Brocatto further explains that he was transferred to a

different prison from Petitioner and therefore did not know that the Court had set

deadlines for the filing fee and signed petition. Because Petitioner’s alleged mental

incapacity, Petitioner was not able to understand or respond to the deficiency notice and

order without the assistance of Mr. Brocatto. According to the petition, Petitioner was

Case 4:14-cv-01920-JSW Document 10 Filed 03/06/15 Page 1 of 2
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convicted pursuant to a guilty plea, and he claims that he was unable to understand the

terms of the plea agreement, that he never received an examination of his mental

capacity to enter a knowing and voluntary guilty plea, and that his trial counsel rendered

ineffective assistance in advising him to enter a guilty plea under such circumstances. 

In light of the foregoing allegations and claims, the Court construes the motion to

show cause as a motion for relief from judgment under Rule 60(b) of the Federal Rules

of Civil Procedure. Construed as such, the motion is GRANTED because the petition

raises cognizable claims for federal habeas relief, a colorable showing has been made

that Petitioner is incapable of pursuing or even presenting such claims effectively in this

Court without the assistance of counsel, and the interests of justice require that he be

allowed more time to file a signed federal habeas petition and either pay the filing fee or

file an application to proceed in forma pauperis. Accordingly, counsel is appointed to

represent Petitioner in this case pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, which provides for funds

to pay appointed counsel. See United States v. Salemo, 81 F.3d 1453, 1459 & n.4 (9th

Cir. 1996). Petitioner is referred to the Federal Public Defender’s Office to represent

Petitioner or to promptly select a qualified attorney to do so. Within 28 days of the

date this order is filed, the Federal Public Defender or selected counsel shall file an

appearance. Within 28 days of the date counsel appears for Petitioner, he or she shall

file a federal habeas petition signed by Petitioner and shall either pay the $5.00 filing fee

or a completed application to proceed in forma pauperis. Reasonable extensions of these

deadlines will be allowed upon a showing of good cause. 

The Clerk shall REOPEN the file and VACATE the Order of Dismissal and

Judgment. The Clerk shall serve a copy of this order on the Federal Public Defender’s

Office, as well as on Petitioner. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: March 6, 2015 

JEFFREY S. WHITE

United States District Judge

Case 4:14-cv-01920-JSW Document 10 Filed 03/06/15 Page 2 of 2