Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-01543/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-01543-1/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Michael Gonzales
Petitioner
Shriber
Respondent

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MICHAEL GONZALES, )

)

Petitioner, )

)

v. )

)

SHRIBER, Warden, )

)

)

Respondent. )

____________________________________)

1:05-cv-01543-REC-TAG-HC 

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

(Doc. 4)

Petitioner has requested the appointment of counsel. Petitioner bases his request on his

lack of education, mental disorders, and difficulty in obtaining discovery. (Doc. 4, p. 3). 

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.), cert. denied, 358 U.S. 889 (1958);

Mitchell v. Wyrick, 727 F.2d 773 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 823 (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. The documents

submitted by Petitioner in support of the instant motion, while presenting many details about his

various mental conditions, his ongoing refusal to take medications, and his refusal to participate

in mental health therapy, do not establish that he is incapable of understanding the issues involved

in his case or in representing himself. Thus, the Court does not find that the interests of justice

require the appointment of counsel at the present time. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED

that petitioner's request for appointment of counsel (Doc. 4), is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 12, 2006 /s/ Theresa A. Goldner 

j6eb3d UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

Case 1:05-cv-01543-LJO -JLT Document 8 Filed 03/15/06 Page 1 of 1