Warren v. Ryker et al

Filing 7

ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Clifford J. Proud; dismissing ttorney General of the State of Illinois; granting 2 MOTION for Leave to Proceed in forma pauperis; granting 4 MOTION for Leave to File; denying 3 MOTION to Appoint Counsel. Signed by Judge G. Patrick Murphy on 9/17/10. (eed)

-CJP Warren v. Ryker et al

Doc. 7

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS JOE VAN WARREN, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) vs. ) ) L E E RYK E R and ATTORNEY ) G E N E R A L OF THE STATE OF ) ILLINOIS, ) ) Respondents. )

CIVIL NO. 10-001-GPM

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
MURPHY, District Judge: Petitioner Joe Van Warren, currently incarcerated in the Lawrence Correctional Center, brings this habeas corpus action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 to challenge the constitutionality of his confinement. Warren was convicted in 2002 in Marion County, Illinois, of attempted murder, armed violence, and aggravated battery; he currently is serving a 20-year sentence. Warren seeks leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, and the Court finds that he is, in fact, indigent. Therefore, the motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (Doc. 2) is GRANTED.1 Warren also filed a motion for permission to file exhibits and a

supporting memorandum of law (Doc. 4); this motion is GRANTED. Warren also filed a motion for appointment of counsel. It is well-settled that due process
1

The partial payment provisions of the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) are inapplicable to this case. See Walker v. O'Brien, 216 F.3d 626, 634 (7th Cir. 2000) ("If a case is properly filed as an action under 28 U.S.C. §§ 2241, 2254, or 2255, it is not a `civil action' to which the PLRA applies."). Page 1 of 4

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does not require appointment of counsel for indigent prisoners pursuing state postconviction remedies or federal habeas relief. See Pruitt v. Mote, 503 F.3d 647, 657 (7th Cir. 2007) (citing cases). Rather, appointment of counsel in such cases rests "in the sound discretion of district courts unless denial would result in fundamental unfairness impinging on due process rights." LaClair v. United States, 374 F.2d 486, 489 (7th Cir. 1967). If the interests of justice so require, representation may be provided under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A for any financially eligible person seeking relief under 28 U.S.C. §§ 2241, 2254, or 2255. 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B). Rule 8(c) of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases in the United States District Courts requires appointment of counsel where an evidentiary hearing is found to be warranted, but appointment under § 3006A is not limited to any certain stage of the proceeding. In exercising its discretion, a court should ask, "given the difficulty of the case in relation to the petitioner's competence to represent himself," whether the petitioner (1) could obtain justice "without the aid of a lawyer," (2) could obtain a lawyer on his own, and (3) would have "a reasonable chance of winning his case [if] he had a lawyer." Dellenbach v. Hanks, 76 F.3d 820, 823 (7th Cir. 1996). At this point in these proceedings, the Court has not determined whether an evidentiary hearing is warranted. In fact, Respondent has yet to respond to the petition. Warren's papers do not reflect that he has attempted to recruit counsel on his own behalf. In any event, Warren has capably filed his petition and a request for counsel. At this early stage, the Court is unable to determine whether a lawyer's assistance is essential to Warren being able to press his claim effectively. See Dellenbach, 76 F.3d at 823. Therefore, the motion for appointment of counsel (Doc. 3) is DENIED without prejudice. Before further proceedings are ordered, a few words about the named respondents are

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necessary. Warren names as a respondent not only the warden of his prison but the Attorney General of Illinois. This practice is quite common among pro se litigants in this District, but the only proper respondent in a collateral attack is Warren's custodian. As stated clearly by the Seventh Circuit, The Attorney General of [Illinois] is the state's lawyer, not the prisoner's custodian. If the petitioner is in prison, the warden is the right respondent. If the petitioner is on parole, the parole board or equivalent should be named. A state's attorney general is a proper party only if the petitioner is not then confined, but expects to be taken into custody. Hogan v. Hanks, 97 F.3d 189, 190 (7th Cir. 1996) (emphasis added); see also Cruz v. Warden of Dwight Correctional Center, 907 F.2d 665, 665 n. 1 (7th Cir. 1990); Rules 2(a) and (b) of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases in the United States District Courts. Because Warren is incarcerated, the only proper respondent is Warden Ryker. The Illinois Attorney General is DISMISSED as a party and should not appear as a litigant in any future § 2254 case except under the conditions specified in Rule 2(b). IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Respondent shall, within twenty-three (23) days of receipt of this application for Writ of Habeas Corpus, answer and show cause why the writ should not issue. Service upon the Illinois Attorney General, Criminal Appeals Bureau, 100 West Randolph, 12th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60601 shall constitute sufficient service. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that pursuant to Local Rule of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois 72.1(a)(2), this cause is referred to a United States Magistrate Judge for further pre-trial proceedings. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this entire matter be REFERRED to a United States Magistrate Judge for disposition, as contemplated by Local Rule 72.2(b)(2) and 28 U.S.C. § 636(c),

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should all the parties consent to such a referral. Warren is ADVISED of his continuing obligation to keep the Clerk of Court and each opposing party informed of any change in his whereabouts during the pendency of this action. This notification shall be done in writing and not later than seven (7) days after a transfer or other change in address occurs. Failure to provide such notice will result in dismissal of this action. See FED. R. CIV. P. 41(b). IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: 09/17/10 s/ ZA ctàÜ|v~ `âÜÑ{ç G. PATRICK MURPHY United States District Judge

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