Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-03378/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-03378-0/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

WADE KENNETH MALLETT, No. CIV S-09-3378-CMK-P

Petitioner, 

vs. ORDER

WARDEN, et al.,

Respondents.

 /

Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, brings this petition for a writ of

habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Pending before the court is petitioner’s request for

leave to proceed in forma pauperis (Docs. 2, 9). Petitioner’s petition will be addressed

separately. Petitioner also seeks the appointment of counsel (Doc. 3, 6). 

Petitioner has submitted the affidavit required by 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a) showing

that petitioner is unable to prepay fees and costs or give security therefor. His request to proceed

in forma pauperis will therefore be granted.

There currently exists 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 the case “if the interests of justice

Case 2:09-cv-03378-JKS Document 10 Filed 01/07/10 Page 1 of 2
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so require.” See Rule 8(c), Fed. R. Governing § 2254 Cases. In the present case, the court does

not find that the interests of justice would be served by the appointment of counsel at the present

time. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Petitioner’s motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (Docs. 2, 9) is

granted; and

2. Petitioner’s motion for appointment of counsel (Docs. 3, 6) is denied

without prejudice to renewal, at the earliest, after an answer to the petitioner has been filed. 

DATED: January 6, 2010

______________________________________

CRAIG M. KELLISON

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:09-cv-03378-JKS Document 10 Filed 01/07/10 Page 2 of 2