Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00881/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00881-1/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Tina Hornbeck
Respondent
Rhonda Lee Leland
Petitioner

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RHONDA LEE LELAND,

Petitioner, No. CIV S-07-0881 WBS KJM P

vs.

TINA HORNBECK, Warden, 

Respondent. ORDER

 /

Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, has filed a petition for a writ of

habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, together with an application to proceed in forma

pauperis. Examination of the in forma pauperis application reveals that petitioner is unable to

afford the costs of suit. Accordingly, the application to proceed in forma pauperis will be

granted. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). Since petitioner may be entitled to relief if the claimed

violation of constitutional rights is proved, respondent will be directed to file a response to

petitioner’s habeas petition.

Petitioner has requested the appointment of counsel. 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 so require.” See Rule 8(c), Fed. R. Governing 

Case 2:07-cv-00881-WBS -KJM Document 9 Filed 10/23/07 Page 1 of 2
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§ 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 application to proceed in forma pauperis is granted; 

2. Respondent is directed to file a response to petitioner’s habeas petition within

thirty days from the date of this order. See Rule 4, Fed. R. Governing § 2254 Cases. An answer

shall be accompanied by all transcripts and other documents relevant to the issues presented in

the petition. See Rule 5, Fed. R. Governing § 2254 Cases;

3. If the response to the habeas petition is an answer, petitioner’s reply, if any,

shall be filed and served within thirty days after service of the answer;

4. If the response to the habeas petition is a motion, petitioner’s opposition or

statement of non-opposition to the motion shall be filed and served within thirty days after

service of the motion, and respondent’s reply, if any, shall be filed and served within fifteen days

thereafter;

5. The Clerk of the Court shall serve a copy of this order together with a copy of

the petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 on Michael Patrick Farrell, 

Senior Assistant Attorney General; and

6. Petitioner’s April 17, 2007 motion for appointment of counsel is denied

without prejudice to a renewal of the motion at a later stage of the proceedings.

DATED: October 23, 2007. 

1/mp

 lela0881.100(4.17.07)

Case 2:07-cv-00881-WBS -KJM Document 9 Filed 10/23/07 Page 2 of 2