Opinion
1:21-cv-01622-NONE-SAB-HC
12-20-2021
JARED ANDREW MARTIN, Petitioner, v. CHRISTIAN PFEIFFER, Respondent.
ORDER DENYING PETITIONER'S MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL (ECF NO. 11)
Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254.
Petitioner has moved for appointment of counsel. (ECF No. 2). There currently exists no absolute right to appointment of counsel in habeas proceedings. See, e.g., Chaney v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 1196 (9th Cir. 1986); Anderson v. Heinze, 258 F.2d 479, 481 (9th Cir. 1958). However, the Criminal Justice Act authorizes the appointment of counsel at any stage of the proceeding for financially eligible persons if “the interests of justice so require.” 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B). To determine whether to appoint counsel, the “court must evaluate the likelihood of success on the merits as well as the ability of the petitioner to articulate his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved.” Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954 (9th Cir. 1983).
Petitioner argues that counsel should be appointed because he does not have adequate knowledge of the law or the resources necessary to litigate his petition, which will require discovery of documents, expert testimony, and subpoena of witnesses. The Court has not authorized discovery in this matter, and upon review of the petition, the Court finds that Petitioner appears to have a sufficient grasp of his claims and the legal issues involved and that he is able to articulate those claims adequately. The legal issues involved are not extremely complex, and Petitioner does not demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits such that the interests of justice require the appointment of counsel at the present time.
See Rule 6(a) of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases (stating that leave of court is required for a party to conduct discovery).
If, upon review of Respondent's response to the petition, the Court finds that the legal issues are more complex than they appear currently, the Court may revisit Petitioner's request for counsel.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Petitioner's motion for appointment of counsel (ECF No. 11) is DENIED without prejudice.
IT IS SO ORDERED.