Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-01230/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-01230-1/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Mark Shepherd
Respondent
Tue Xiong
Petitioner

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TUE XIONG,

Petitioner,

vs.

MARK SHEPHERD,

Respondent.

____________________________________/

1:05-cv-01230 LJO-TAG (HC) 

 

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(Doc. 10) 

Petitioner has requested the appointment of counsel. (Doc. 10). Petitioner states that

he is unable to understand the legal arguments raised by Respondent in his Answer. 

There currently exists no absolute right to appointment of counsel in habeas

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

Wyrick, 727 F.2d 773 (8th Cir.1984). However, Title 18 U.S.C. § 3006A authorizes the

appointment of counsel at any stage of the case "if the interests of justice so require." See Rule

8(c), Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases. In the present case, the Court does not find that the

interests of justice require the appointment of counsel at the present time simply because

Petitioner has no legal training and has difficulty understanding the legal arguments raised in

his case. Petitioner’s lack of legal training is an unfortunate fact he shares with most

Petitioners that have come before this Court. Standing alone, it is not a sufficient basis on

which to appoint counsel. 

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Case 1:05-cv-01230-LJO-JMD Document 11 Filed 10/24/07 Page 1 of 2
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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that petitioner's request for appointment of

counsel (Doc. 10), is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 24, 2007 /s/ Theresa A. Goldner 

j6eb3d UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

Case 1:05-cv-01230-LJO-JMD Document 11 Filed 10/24/07 Page 2 of 2