Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00044/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00044-0/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)

---

1

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

XAVIER LUMAR J-WEIAL,

Petitioner,

v.

DAVE DAVEY, Warden,

Respondents.

CASE NO. 1:16-cv-00044-SKO HC 

ORDER DENYING PETITIONER’S MOTION 

FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(Doc. 8)

Petitioner, proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 

§ 2254, moves for appointment of counsel. In habeas proceedings, no absolute right to appointment of 

counsel currently exists. See, e.g., Anderson v. Heinze, 258 F.2d 479, 481 (9th Cir. 1958); Mitchell v. 

Wyrick, 727 F.2d 773, 774 (8th Cir. 1984). Nonetheless, a court may appoint counsel at any stage of the 

case "if the interests of justice so require." 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B); Rule 8(c), Rules Governing 

Section 2254 Cases.

Petitioner contends that appointment of counsel is required since (1) he lacks the financial means 

to hire counsel; (2) he is unable to investigate his claims while incarcerated; and (3) his case is unduly 

complex. He shares these three conditions with nearly all petitioners for writs of habeas corpus. 

Petitioner has competently filed his petition and motion for appointment of counsel, presenting well 

reasoned arguments supported by appropriate legal citations. Accordingly, the Court finds no evidence 

that the interests of justice require the appointment of counsel at this time. 

Petitioner's motion for appointment of counsel is hereby DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 21, 2016 /s/ Sheila K. Oberto 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-00044-AWI-SKO Document 9 Filed 01/21/16 Page 1 of 1