Opinion
23-CV-511 JLS (BLM)
03-29-2023
SHAWN D. OMAR WRIGHT, Petitioner, v. ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS, et al., Respondents.
ORDER: (1) DENYING MOTION FOR LEAVE TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS; (2) DENYING WITHOUT PREJUDICE MOTION TO APPOINT COUNSEL; AND (3) DISMISSING CASE WITHOUT PREJUDICE (ECF NOS. 1-3)
Hon. Janis L. Sammartino United States District Judge
Petitioner Shawn D. Omar Wright (“Petitioner”), a detainee in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, proceeding pro se, has filed a Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241. See ECF No. 1 (“Pet.”). Petitioner has also filed a Motion for Leave to Proceed in Forma Pauperis (“IFP”) (“IFP Mot.,” ECF No. 2) and a Motion to Appoint Counsel (“Counsel Mot.,” ECF No. 3).
Having reviewed Petitioner's filings and the applicable law and for the reasons discussed below, the Court DENIES the IFP Motion, DENIES WITHOUT PREJUDICE the Counsel Motion, and DISMISSES the case WITHOUT PREJUDICE for failure to satisfy the filing fee requirement.
MOTION FOR LEAVE TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS
Petitioner has filed an IFP Motion. See IFP Mot. The Prison Certificate and Statement of Recent Account Activity accompanying Petitioner's IFP Motion reflects a $5.04 balance in Petitioner's detainee trust account as of March 3, 2023. See id. at 4, 7. The filing fee associated with this type of action is $5.00. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). Because it appears Petitioner can pay the requisite filing fee, the Court DENIES Petitioner's IFP Motion.
Given Petitioner's failure to satisfy the filing fee requirement by either qualifying to proceed IFP or paying the $5.00 filing fee, the Court cannot proceed and must DISMISS the case WITHOUT PREJUDICE at this time.
REQUEST FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL
Petitioner has also filed a motion requesting appointment of counsel to represent him in his federal habeas corpus proceeding. See Counsel Mot. While district courts are provided with statutory authority, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §3006A(a)(2)(B), to appoint counsel in a federal habeas case when a petitioner is financially eligible and “the court determines that the interests of justice so require,” the Ninth Circuit has held that “[i]ndigent state prisoners applying for habeas corpus 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 v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 1196 (9th Cir. 1986) (citations omitted).
Petitioner asserts he “cannot afford an attorney,” Counsel Mot. at 1, but has failed to qualify to proceed IFP in the instant action. Nor has Petitioner shown that the circumstances of this case are such that appointed counsel is necessary or warranted at this time, particularly given the case is currently subject to dismissal. As such, the Court DENIES the Counsel Motion, WITHOUT PREJUDICE to renewing this request at a later time.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons discussed above, the Court DENIES Petitioner's Motion for Leave to Proceed in Forma Pauperis (ECF No. 2), DENIES WITHOUT PREJUDICE Petitioner's Motion to Appoint Counsel (ECF No. 3), and DISMISSES the case WITHOUT PREJUDICE for failure to satisfy the filing fee requirement. To have this case reopened, Petitioner must submit, no later than May 29, 2023 , a copy of this Order with either: (1) the $5.00 filing fee, or (2) adequate proof of his inability to pay the filing fee.
IT IS SO ORDERED.