Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_08-cv-03782/USCOURTS-cand-4_08-cv-03782-4/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 Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DELANO TOLDEN,

Petitioner,

 v.

GARY SWARTHOUT, Warden,

Respondent. _________________________________

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No. C 08-3782 CW

ORDER GRANTING

CERTIFICATE OF

APPEALABILITY AND

PETITIONER’S

REQUESTS TO

APPOINT COUNSEL

AND TO PROCEED IN

FORMA PAUPERIS ON

APPEAL

Petitioner filed a habeas corpus petition pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 2254. On March 1, 2010, the Court entered judgment

denying the petition. Petitioner seeks a certificate of

appealability regarding all four claims in his habeas petition

and requests the appointment of appellate counsel and leave to

proceed in forma pauperis on appeal.

A habeas petitioner may not appeal a final order in a

federal habeas proceeding without first obtaining a certificate

of appealability (formerly known as a "certificate of probable

cause to appeal"). 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c); Fed. R. App. P. 22(b). 

A certificate of appealability should be granted "only if the

applicant has made a substantial showing of the denial of a

constitutional right." 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). The certificate

of appealability must indicate which issue or issues satisfy the

showing required by § 2253(c)(2). 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(3).

Case 4:08-cv-03782-CW Document 26 Filed 04/13/10 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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The Court finds that Petitioner has made a sufficient

showing of the denial of a constitutional right in regard to his

Eighth Amendment claim of cruel and unusual punishment and his

two due process claims regarding improper jury instructions. 

Petitioner’s request for a certificate of appealability on these

three claims is GRANTED. 

Petitioner also requests appointment of counsel. The Sixth

Amendment's right to counsel does not apply in habeas corpus

actions. Knaubert v. Goldsmith, 791 F.2d 722, 728 (9th Cir.

1986). However, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B) authorizes a district

court to appoint counsel to represent a habeas petitioner

whenever "the court determines that the interests of justice so

require and such person is financially unable to obtain

representation." 

 The decision to appoint counsel is within the discretion of

the district court. Chaney v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 1196 (9th

Cir. 1986); Knaubert, 791 F.2d at 728; Bashor v. Risley, 730 F.2d

1228, 1234 (9th Cir.) (1984). Appointment is mandatory only when

the circumstances of a particular case indicate that appointed

counsel is necessary to prevent due process violations. Chaney,

801 F.2d at 1196. 

Because of Petitioner's low mental functioning, his motion

for appointment of counsel is GRANTED. Attorney Victoria

Stafford requests that she be appointed as counsel. Because Ms. 

Stafford has represented Petitioner in his state appeal and

habeas proceedings in this Court, she is already familiar with

the case. Therefore, the Court grants Petitioner’s request that

Ms. Stafford be appointed to represent him on appeal. 

Case 4:08-cv-03782-CW Document 26 Filed 04/13/10 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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CONCLUSION

Accordingly, the Court grants Petitioner’s certificate of

appealability on the three claims discussed above and grants his

requests for the appointment of Victoria Stafford as appellate

counsel and for leave to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: April 13, 2010 

CLAUDIA WILKEN

United States District Judge

Case 4:08-cv-03782-CW Document 26 Filed 04/13/10 Page 3 of 3