Opinion
No. CIV S-07-0320 MCE KJM P.
February 1, 2008
ORDER
Petitioner has requested the appointment of counsel. 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.
Petitioner has also filed a motion to expand the record. The court will direct respondent to address this request.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Petitioner's January 22, 2008 motion for appointment of counsel (docket nos. 24 25) is denied without prejudice to a renewal of the motion at a later stage of the proceedings.
2. Within thirty days of the date of this order, respondent shall file a response to petitioner's January 9, 2008 request to expand the record. Petitioner's reply, if any, shall be filed within twenty days of the filing of the response.