Opinion
No. 85-293
Opinion delivered January 21, 1986
1. HABEAS CORPUS — PETITION FOR WRIT RESTRICTED TO QUESTIONING WHETHER CUSTODY IS PURSUANT TO VALID CONVICTION AND WHETHER COURT HAD JURISDICTION. — A petition for writ of habeas corpus is restricted to the questions of whether the petitioner is in custody pursuant to a valid conviction and whether the convicting court had proper jurisdiction. 2. HABEAS CORPUS — PETITION FOR WRIT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR ATTACKING PAROLE DECISIONS — NO GOOD CAUSE SHOWN FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL. — Inasmuch as a writ of habeas corpus is not a remedy for attacking parole decisions, which appellant is attempting to do, appellant cannot prevail on appeal, and, therefore, there is no god cause to appoint counsel or to continue with the appeal.
Pro se Motion for Appointment of Counsel; motion denied and appeal dismissed.
Appellant, pro se.
Steve Clark, Atty Gen., by: Theodore Holder, Asst. Atty Gen., for appellee.
In July, 1985, appellant filed a prose petition for writ of habeas corpus in the trial court on the ground that he had been denied due process and equal protection of law by being twice denied release on parole. The trial court concluded that a writ of habeas corpus was not the proper remedy to challenge the parole board's action and dismissed the petition. Appellant filed a notice of appeal and lodged the record. He now requests appointment of counsel.
[1, 2] The motion is denied and the appeal dismissed. A petition for writ of habeas corpus is restricted to the questions of whether the petitioner is in custody pursuant to a valid conviction and whether the convicting court had proper jurisdiction. Bargo v. State, 279 Ark. 180, 650 S.W.2d 227 (1983); Mitchell v. State, 233 Ark. 578, 346 S.W.2d 201 (1961). As a writ of habeas corpus is not a remedy for attacking parole decisions, appellant could not prevail on appeal. For this reason, there is no good cause to appoint counsel or to continue with the appeal.
Motion denied appeal dismissed.
PURTLE, J., not participating.