Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-02014/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-02014-0/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

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ROBERT CASTANEDA,

Petitioner,

v.

E. ARNOLD,

Respondent.

No. 2:14-cv-2014 DAD P

ORDER

Petitioner requests the appointment of counsel. There is 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 a habeas 

proceeding “if the interests of justice so require.” See Rule 8(c), Fed. R. Governing § 2254 

Cases. 

Petitioner requests appointment of counsel on the grounds that he is indigent; that his 

petition sets forth a prima facie showing for relief; that the issues presented by his petition are 

complex; and because counsel may be required to request discovery and/or prepare for an 

evidentiary hearing. (See ECF No. 2.) Although the pending petition is adequate to require a 

response by respondent, ordered separately, the undersigned finds petitioner’s request premature, 

and that the interests of justice would not be served by appointment of counsel at the present time. 

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Case 2:14-cv-02014-GEB-DAD Document 7 Filed 09/29/14 Page 1 of 2
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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that petitioner’s request for appointment of 

counsel (ECF No. 2) is denied without prejudice to a renewal of the motion at a later stage of the 

proceedings.

Dated: September 26, 2014

DAD:4

cast2014.110

Case 2:14-cv-02014-GEB-DAD Document 7 Filed 09/29/14 Page 2 of 2