Hickman v. Hedgepeth

Filing 23

ORDER DENYING 20 Motion for Appointment of Counsel signed by Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto on 8/7/2012. (Sant Agata, S)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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MICHAEL D. HICKMAN,

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1:12-cv-00547-LJO-SKO (HC)

Petitioner,
ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR
APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

vs.

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ANTHONY HEDGPETH,

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Respondent.

(DOCUMENT #20)
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____________________________________/

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Petitioner has requested the appointment of counsel. There currently exists no

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absolute right to appointment of counsel in habeas proceedings. See, e.g., Anderson v. Heinze,

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258 F.2d 479, 481 (9th Cir. 1958); Mitchell v. Wyrick, 727 F.2d 773, 774 (8th Cir. 1984).

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However, Title 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B) authorizes the appointment of counsel at any stage

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of the case if "the interests of justice so require." See Rule 8(c), Rules Governing Section 2254

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Cases. In the present case, the Court does not find that the interests of justice require the

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

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Petitioner's request for appointment of counsel is denied.

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

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Dated:
3em3ec

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August 7, 2012

/s/ Sheila K. Oberto
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE