Allison v. United States

Opinion

HONORABLE RONALD B. LEIGHTON

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT TACOMA CINDI ALLISON, CASE NO. 19-cv-5923-RBL Petitioner, ORDER ON MOTION FOR COURT- v. APPOINTED COUNSEL

Respondent.

THIS MATTER is before the Court on Petitioner Cindi Allison’s Motion for Court- Appointed Counsel to represent her in her in this action under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. [Dkt. # 7]. In exceptional circumstances, the court may ask an attorney to represent any person unable to afford counsel under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1236 (9th Cir. 1984). To find exceptional circumstances, the court must evaluate the likelihood of success on the merits and the ability of the petitioner to articulate the claims pro se in light of the complexity of the legal issues involved. Weygandt v. Look, 718 F.2d 952, 954 (9th Cir. 1983). Allison provides no argument at all in support of her Motion for Court-Appointed Counsel. After reviewing her underlying Motion for relief under § 2255, the Court concludes that Allison has not demonstrated the exceptional circumstances warranting appointment of counsel. The Motion is DENIED. Dated this 16th day of January, 2020.

A

Ronald B. Leighton United States District Judge