HARRIS v. KERESTES et al

Filing 9

MEMORANDUM/ORDER THAT PETITIONER'S MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL IS DENIED. SIGNED BY MAGISTRATE JUDGE L. FELIPE RESTREPO ON 6/21/11. 6/23/11 ENTERED AND COPIES MAILED TO PRO SE AND E-MAILED.(fb)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

MONTEZ HARRIS
v.
JOHN KERESTES, et al.

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CIVIL ACTION

NO. 11-3093

MEMORANDUM/ORDER
Petitioner, Montez Harris, filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus Under 28 U.S.C. §
2254. Before the Court is petitioner’s Motion for Appointment of Counsel (Doc. No. 3) filed
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3006A.
“There is no constitutional right to counsel in a federal habeas corpus proceeding.”
Watson v. United States, 1997 WL 667152, *4 (E.D. Pa. Oct. 3, 1997) (citing Reese v. Fulcomer,
946 F.2d 247, 264 (3d Cir. 1991), cert. denied, 503 U.S. 988 (1992)). “In § 2254 cases, counsel
is ordinarily appointed only where there is an evidentiary hearing, see Rule 8(c) of the Rules
Governing Section 2254 Cases in the United States District Courts, unless ‘justice so requires.’”
See Lambert v. Frank, 2000 WL 1022977, *3 (E.D. Pa. July 18, 2000) (quoting 18 U.S.C. §
3006A) (Pollak, J.); see also 28 U.S.C. foll. § 2254, Rule 8(c). Here, upon review of petitioner’s
submissions to the Court, the record does not reflect an inability on the part of petitioner to
understand the issues and address them in a coherent manner. See, e.g., Reese, 946 F.2d at 264;
Watson, 1997 WL 667152, at *5. Furthermore, at this stage in the proceedings, it appears that
this case may be resolved based on the record before the Court without an evidentiary hearing.
See Lambert, 2000 WL 1022977, at *3 (citing 28 U.S.C. foll. § 2254, Rule 8). Since justice does

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not require the appointment of counsel in this case, the request for counsel is denied. See
Lambert, 2000 WL 1022977, at *3; see also Reese, 946 F.2d at 264; Watson, 1997 WL 667152,
at *5.
Accordingly, AND NOW, this 21st day of June, 2011, upon consideration of
petitioner’s Motion for Appointment of Counsel (Doc. No. 3), it is hereby ORDERED that
petitioner’s motion is DENIED.

BY THE COURT:

/s/ L. Felipe Restrepo
L. FELIPE RESTREPO
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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