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Hernandez v. Virga

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
Oct 29, 2012
Civil No. 12cv1682-BEN (DHB) (S.D. Cal. Oct. 29, 2012)

Opinion

Civil No. 12cv1682-BEN (DHB)

10-29-2012

FRANCISCO HERNANDEZ, Petitioner, v. TIM V. VIRGA, Warden, Respondent.


ORDER DENYING WITHOUT

PREJUDICE PETITIONER'S

REQUEST FOR APPOINTMENT OF

COUNSEL


[ECF No. 9]

Petitioner, Francisco Hernandez, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, has requested appointment of counsel to pursue his petition for a writ of habeas corpus brought pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. [EFC No. 9.] The request for appointment of counsel is denied without prejudice.

The Sixth Amendment right to counsel does not extend to federal habeas corpus actions by state prisoners. McCleskey v. Zant, 499 U.S. 467, 495 (1991); Chaney v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 1196 (9th Cir. 1986); Knaubert v. Goldsmith, 791 F.2d 722, 728 (9th Cir. 1986). However, financially eligible habeas petitioners seeking relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 may obtain representation whenever the court "determines that the interests of justice so require.'" 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B) (2010); Terrovona v. Kincheloe, 912 F.2d 1176, 1181 (9th Cir. 1990); Bashor v. Risley, 730 F.2d 1228, 1234 (9th Cir. 1984); Hoggard v. Purkett, 29 F.3d 469, 471 (8th Cir. 1994).

The interests of justice require appointment of counsel when the court conducts an evidentiary hearing on the petition. Terrovona, 912 F.2d at 1177; Knaubert, 791 F.2d at 728; Rule 8(c), 28 U.S.C. foll. § 2254. The appointment of counsel is discretionary when no evidentiary hearing is necessary. Terrovona, 912 F.2d at 1177; Knaubert, 791 F.2d at 728. If the Court determines that an evidentiary hearing becomes necessary in the future, the Court will require appointment of counsel at that time.

In the Ninth Circuit, "[i]ndigent state prisoners applying for habeas relief are not entitled to appointed counsel unless the circumstances of a particular case indicate that appointed counsel is necessary to prevent due process violations." Chaney, 801 F.2d at 1196; Knaubert, 791 F.2d at 728-29. The Ninth Circuit considers the clarity and coherence of a petitioner's district court pleadings to determine the necessity of appointment of counsel; if clear and understandable, the court typically finds appointment of counsel unnecessary. LaMere v. Risely, 827 F.2d 622, 626 (9th Cir. 1987.) Further, the Ninth Circuit notes that "[w]here the issues involved can be properly resolved on the basis of the state court record, a district court does not abuse its discretion in denying a request for court-appointed counsel." Hoggard, 29 F.3d at 471.

At this stage of the proceedings, it does not appear that appointment of counsel is required to prevent a due process violation. There is no indication that the issues are too complex or that Petitioner is incapable of presenting his claims. From the face of the Petition, filed pro se, it appears that Petitioner has a good grasp of this case and the legal issues involved. He has also been able to articulate the factual and legal bases of his claim in a clear and coherent manner. Indeed, Petitioner has been successful in getting a Petition on file, filing a motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, and filing the instant motion. Moreover, the Petition in this case was pleaded sufficiently to warrant this Court's order directing Respondent to file an answer or other responsive pleading to the Petition. Finally, it appears the Court will be able to properly resolve the issues involved on the basis of the state court record. Therefore, the Court finds that the interests of justice do not require the appointment of counsel at this time.

Accordingly, Petitioner's Motion for Appointment of Counsel is DENIED without prejudice.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

_________________

DAVID H. BARTICK

United States Magistrate Judge


Summaries of

Hernandez v. Virga

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
Oct 29, 2012
Civil No. 12cv1682-BEN (DHB) (S.D. Cal. Oct. 29, 2012)
Case details for

Hernandez v. Virga

Case Details

Full title:FRANCISCO HERNANDEZ, Petitioner, v. TIM V. VIRGA, Warden, Respondent.

Court:UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Date published: Oct 29, 2012

Citations

Civil No. 12cv1682-BEN (DHB) (S.D. Cal. Oct. 29, 2012)