Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_14-cv-05476/USCOURTS-cand-3_14-cv-05476-2/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Mike Downing
Respondent
Mika L. Meyers
Petitioner

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MIKA L. MEYERS,

Petitioner,

v.

MIKE DOWNING,

Respondent.

Case No. 14-cv-05476-VC (PR)

ORDER DENYING PETITIONER’S 

REQUEST FOR APPOINTMENT OF 

COUNSEL

On December 16, 2014, Mika L. Meyers filed a motion for appointment of counsel in this 

habeas action. The Sixth Amendment right to counsel does not apply in habeas corpus actions. 

See Knaubert v. Goldsmith, 791 F.2d 722, 728 (9th Cir. 1986). Title 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B), 

however, 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. Appointment is mandatory only when the circumstances of a particular 

case indicate that appointed counsel is necessary to prevent due process violations. See Chaney, 

801 F.2d at 1196; Eskridge v. Rhay, 345 F.2d 778, 782 (9th Cir. 1965). 

The Court finds that exceptional circumstances entitling Meyers to court appointed counsel 

do not exist at this time. Accordingly, the interests of justice do not require appointment of 

counsel, and Meyers’ motion is DENIED. This denial is without prejudice to the Court’s sua 

sponte reconsideration should the Court find appointment of counsel is necessary following 

consideration of the merits of Meyers’ claims.

This Order terminates Docket No. 14.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated:

______________________________________

VINCE CHHABRIA

United States District Judge

April 28, 2015

Case 3:14-cv-05476-VC Document 19 Filed 04/28/15 Page 1 of 1