Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-01280/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-01280-7/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TODD GIFFEN,

Petitioner,

v.

BARACK OBAMA, et. al,

Respondents.

Case No. 1:14-cv-01280-DAD-SAB (HC)

ORDER DENYING PETITIONER’S 

MOTION TO APPOINT COUNSEL

(ECF No. 32)

On August 13, 2014, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 

U.S.C. § 2241. On August 21, 2014, the Court denied Petitioner’s first motion for the 

appointment of counsel. (ECF No. 6). On September 4, 2014, the Court denied Petitioner’s 

second motion for the appointment of counsel. (ECF No. 12). On October 2, 2014, the Court

denied Petitioner’s motion for reconsideration of the denial of his motion for the appointment of 

counsel. (ECF No. 15). On October 22, 2014, the undersigned recommended that the petition 

for writ of habeas corpus be dismissed as frivolous. (ECF No. 16). On December 11, 2014, the 

assigned District Judge adopted the findings and recommendation, and the petition was 

dismissed as frivolous. (ECF No. 18). 

On December 24, 2014, Petitioner filed a motion for reconsideration of the order 

dismissing the petition and a motion for reconsideration of the order denying the motion to 

appoint counsel, which the Court denied on February 5, 2015. (ECF No. 20). On January 15, 

Case 1:14-cv-01280-DAD-SAB Document 33 Filed 12/24/15 Page 1 of 2
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2015, Petitioner filed his third motion for appointment of counsel, which was denied by the 

Court on January 21, 2015. (ECF Nos. 22, 23). On January 15, 2015, Petitioner filed a notice of 

appeal. (ECF No. 21). On February 9, 2015, Petitioner filed an amended notice of appeal. (ECF 

No. 28). 

On March 24, 2015, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied Petitioner’s motion for 

appointment of counsel. (ECF No. 29). On September 1, 2015, the Ninth Circuit Court of 

Appeals issued a memorandum vacating this Court’s decision and remanding with an instruction 

to dismiss the petition for lack of jurisdiction. On November 30, 2015, Petitioner filed the 

instant motion for the appointment of counsel. (ECF No. 32). 

The Court notes that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has not yet issued a mandate in 

this case. Pursuant to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, the mandate will 

issue “7 days after the time to file a petition for rehearing expires, or 7 days after entry of an 

order denying a timely petition for panel rehearing, petition for rehearing en banc, or motion for 

stay of the mandate, whichever is later.” Fed. R. App. P. 41. In this case, Petitioner filed a 

petition for panel hearing in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on September 9, 2015. The 

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has not yet entered an order on Petitioner’s petition for panel 

rehearing. Petitioner requests counsel be appointed for when the case is remanded so that he can 

show that he is held in an illegal program of liberty restraint. As the mandate has not yet issued 

and the petition has not yet been remanded to the district court, Petitioner’s motion for 

appointment of counsel is premature. Therefore, it must be denied. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Petitioner’s motion for appointment of 

counsel is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 23, 2015 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:14-cv-01280-DAD-SAB Document 33 Filed 12/24/15 Page 2 of 2