Lockett v. USA
Filing
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MEMORANDUM AND ORDER: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that movant's letter to the Court, construed as a motion, is GRANTED to the extent he seeks additional time to comply with this Court's October 21, 2021 order to file an amended Motion Under 28 U.S.C. 2255 to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence, and DENIED without prejudice as to the appointment of counsel. (ECF No. #4 ) IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that movant shall have until December 20, 2021, to comply with this Court's October 21, 2021 order to file an amended Motion Under 28 U.S.C. 2255 to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence on the Court-provided form. Movant's failure to timely file an amended Motion Under 28 U.S.C. 2255 to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence may result in the dismissal of this case, without prejudice and without further notice. (Amended/Supplemental Pleadings due by 12/20/2021.) Signed by District Judge Ronnie L. White on 11/19/2021. (TMT)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
EASTERN DIVISION
JERRION A. LOCKETT,
Movant,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Respondent.
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No. 4:21-CV-1262 RLW
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter is before the Court on letter dated November 10, 2021 (ECF No. 4), filed by
self-represented movant Jerrion A. Lockett that the Court construes as a motion. Movant seeks
an unspecified amount of additional time to comply with this Court’s October 21, 2021 order
directing him to file an amended Motion Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to Vacate, Set Aside, or
Correct Sentence. To the extent movant seeks such relief, the motion will be granted. Movant
also writes: “Can you appoint me an attorney that will help me. ‘Please & Thank you.’” Id. To
the extent movant seeks the appointment of counsel at this time, the motion will be denied
without prejudice.
There is no constitutional or statutory right to appointed counsel in proceedings such as
these. See Pennsylvania v. Finley, 481 U.S. 551 (1987). Instead, courts may appoint counsel if
“the interests of justice so require.” 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B). See also 28 U.S.C. § 2255(g).
If a court conducts an evidentiary hearing, the interests of justice require the appointment of an
attorney to represent a movant who qualifies to have counsel appointed under 18 U.S.C.
§ 3006A. Rule 8(c), Rules Governing Section 2255 Proceedings for the United States District
Courts. If an evidentiary hearing is not conducted, the appointment of counsel is discretionary.
Hoggard v. Purkett, 29 F.3d 469, 471 (8th Cir. 1994). In exercising such discretion, courts
should first determine whether the movant has presented a non-frivolous claim for relief, and if
he has, should then consider factors such as the legal and factual complexity of the case, the
movant’s ability to investigate and present his claims, and other relevant factors. See McCall v.
Benson, 114 F.3d 754, 756 (8th Cir. 1997).
In this case, the interests of justice do not require the appointment of counsel at this time.
Movant has yet to file an amended § 2255 motion that states a non-frivolous claim for relief, see
id., and courts generally do not appoint counsel to assist inmates with investigating or
commencing actions. United States v. Hessman, 2008 WL 656507 (N.D. Iowa Mar. 11, 2008).
The denial of movant’s request for counsel is without prejudice. The Court will consider a future
motion for the appointment of counsel, if appropriate, as this case progresses.
Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that movant’s letter to the Court, construed as a motion, is
GRANTED to the extent he seeks additional time to comply with this Court’s October 21, 2021
order to file an amended Motion Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct
Sentence, and DENIED without prejudice as to the appointment of counsel. (ECF No. 4)
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that movant shall have until December 20, 2021, to
comply with this Court’s October 21, 2021 order to file an amended Motion Under 28 U.S.C.
§ 2255 to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence on the Court-provided form.
Movant’s failure to timely file an amended Motion Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to
Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence may result in the dismissal of this case, without
prejudice and without further notice.
RONNIE L. WHITE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Dated this 19th day of November, 2021.
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