Opinion
Case No. 1:15-cv-00119-LJO-SAB-HC
09-29-2015
MICHAEL EUGENE THOMAS, Petitioner, v. RONALD DAVIS, Respondent.
ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL
(ECF No. 20)
Petitioner is a state prisoner proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. On September 25, 2015, Petitioner filed a motion for appointment of counsel. (ECF No. 20).
There currently exists no absolute right to appointment of counsel in habeas proceedings. See, e.g., Anderson v. Heinze, 258 F.2d 479, 481 (9th Cir. 1958); Mitchell v. Wyrick, 727 F.2d 773, 774 (8th Cir. 1984). However, Title 18 U.S.C. 3006A(a)(2)(B) authorizes the appointment of counsel at any stage of the case if "the interests of justice so require." See Rule 8(c), Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases. The court should only appoint counsel under "exceptional circumstances" and after evaluating the likelihood of success on the merits and the ability of the petitioner to articulate his claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. See Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954 (9th Cir. 1983).
Petitioner argues that counsel should be appointed because he does not have sufficient knowledge of the laws in question. Upon a review of Petitioner's petition, the instant motion for the appointment of counsel, and Petitioner's other motions in this case, the Court finds that Petitioner has a sufficient grasp of his claims for habeas relief and the legal issues involved, and that he is able to articulate those claims adequately at this time. Furthermore, Petitioner does not demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits at this time. Therefore, the Court does not find that the interests of justice require the appointment of counsel at the present time.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Petitioner's motion for appointment of counsel is DENIED. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: September 29 , 2015
/s/_________
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE