Walker v. Jacquez

Full title: RAYMOND WALKER, Petitioner, v. FRANCISCO JACQUEZ, Respondent

Court: United States District Court, E.D. California

Date published: Jun 30, 2009

No. 2:09-cv-1658 JFM (HC) (E.D. Cal. Jun. 30, 2009)

Opinion

No. 2:09-cv-1658 JFM (HC).

June 30, 2009

ORDER

JOHN MOULDS, Magistrate Judge

Petitioner, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, has filed an application for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, together with a request to proceed in forma pauperis.

Examination of the in forma pauperis affidavit reveals that petitioner is unable to afford the costs of suit. Accordingly, the request for leave to proceed in forma pauperis is granted.See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).

Since petitioner may be entitled to the requested relief if the claimed violation of constitutional rights is proved, respondent will be directed to file an answer.

Petitioner has filed a motion for 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. Accordingly, petitioner's motion for appointment of counsel will be denied.

In accordance with the above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Petitioner's June 4, 2009 motion to proceed in forma pauperis is granted;

2. Respondent is directed to file an answer within forty-five days from the date of this order. See Rule 4, Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases. Respondent shall include with the answer any and all transcripts or other documents relevant to the determination of the issues presented in the application. Rule 5, Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases;

3. Petitioner's traverse, if any, is due on or before thirty days from the date respondent's answer is filed;

4. Petitioner's June 4, 2009 motion for appointment of counsel is denied; and

5. The Clerk of the Court shall serve a copy of this order together with a copy of petitioner's application for writ of habeas corpus and an Order Re Consent or Request for Reassignment on Michael Patrick Farrell, Senior Assistant Attorney General.