Johnson v. Dickenson

Filing 6

ORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Kimberly J. Mueller on 4/27/10 ORDERING that Petitioner's Application to Proceed in Forma Pauperis 2 is GRANTED; Petitioner's Motion for the Appointment of Counsel 3 is DENIED; Respondent is directed to file a response to Petitioner's habeas Petition within sixty days from the date of this order. The Clerk shall serve a copy of this order, the consent/reassignment form comtemplated by Appendix A (k) to the Local Rules of this Court, and a copy of the petition for a writ of habeas corpus on Michal Patrick Farrell, Senior Assistant Attorney General.(Mena-Sanchez, L)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 vs. KATHLEEN L. DICKENSON, Respondent. / 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 and a request for the appointment of counsel. 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). 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 § 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. ORDER IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA CLIFFORD JOHNSON, Petitioner, No. CIV S-09-3167 KJM P

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Since petitioner may be entitled to relief if the violation of constitutional rights alleged in his petition is proved, respondent will be directed to file a response. In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 1. Petitioner's application to proceed in forma pauperis (#2) is granted. 2. Petitioner's motion for the appointment of counsel (#3) is denied. 2. Respondent is directed to file a response to petitioner's habeas petition within sixty 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 fourteen days thereafter; and 5. The Clerk of the Court shall serve a copy of this order, the consent/reassignment form contemplated by Appendix A(k) to the Local Rules of this court, and 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. DATED: April 27, 2010.

john3167.100(11.13.09)