Cruz v. FCI Bennettsville

D. South Carolina

Cruz v. FCI Bennettsville

DecidedJuly 28, 2020

Docket1:20-cv-02625

StatusUnknown

This text of Cruz v. FCI Bennettsville (Cruz v. FCI Bennettsville) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. South Carolina primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

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Cruz v. FCI Bennettsville, (D.S.C. 2020).

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA Roberto Enrique Cruz, a/k/a ) C/A No.: 1:20-2625-DCC-SVH Roberto E. Cruz Olovarria, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) vs. ) ORDER ) Warden of FCI Bennettsville, ) ) Respondent. ) ) This matter is before the court on the motion of Roberto Enrique Cruz (“Petitioner”) to appoint counsel. [ECF No. 2]. Petitioner has no constitutional right to counsel in federal habeas proceedings. , 481 U.S. 551, 555–56 (1987) (no constitutional right to counsel beyond first appeal of right); , 21 F. App’x 139, 141–42 (4th Cir. 2001); , 57 F.3d 1327, 1340 (4th Cir. 1995) (no constitutional right to counsel during federal habeas). The court may, in its discretion, however, appoint counsel for a habeas petitioner when “the interests of justice so require.” 18 U.S.C.A. § 3006A(a)(2) (West Supp. 1993); , 21 F. App’x at 142. The interests of justice require the court to appoint counsel when the district court conducts an evidentiary hearing on the petition. , 29 F.3d 469 (8th Cir. 1994); Rule 8(c), Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases in the United States District Courts. The appointment of counsel is discretionary when no evidentiary hearing is necessary. See Hoggard, 29 F.3d at 471. In exercising its discretion, the court should consider the legal complexity of the case, the factual complexity of the case, and Petitioner’s ability to investigate and present his claims, along with any other relevant factors. Jd; see also Battle v. Armontrout, 902 F.2d 701, 702 (8th Cir. 1990). Where the issues involved can be properly resolved on the basis of the record, a district court does not abuse its discretion in denying a request for court- appointed counsel. See Hoggard, 29 F.3d at 471. The court does not anticipate the need for an evidentiary hearing, as the case will likely be resolved on the basis of the state court record. If the court elects to hold an evidentiary hearing, Petitioner may renew his motion

or the court may appoint counsel sua sponte at that time. For the foregoing reasons, Petitioner’s motion to appoint counsel [ECF No. 2] is denied. IT IS SO ORDERED. (Via. V: Mager July 27, 2020 Shiva V. Hodges Columbia, South Carolina United States Magistrate Judge

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA Roberto Enrique Cruz, a/k/a ) C/A No.: 1:20-2625-DCC-SVH Roberto E. Cruz Olovarria, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) vs. ) ORDER ) Warden of FCI Bennettsville, ) ) Respondent. ) ) This matter is before the court on the motion of Roberto Enrique Cruz (“Petitioner”) to appoint counsel. [ECF No. 2]. Petitioner has no constitutional right to counsel in federal habeas proceedings. , 481 U.S. 551, 555–56 (1987) (no constitutional right to counsel beyond first appeal of right); , 21 F. App’x 139, 141–42 (4th Cir. 2001); , 57 F.3d 1327, 1340 (4th Cir. 1995) (no constitutional right to counsel during federal habeas). The court may, in its discretion, however, appoint counsel for a habeas petitioner when “the interests of justice so require.” 18 U.S.C.A. § 3006A(a)(2) (West Supp. 1993); , 21 F. App’x at 142. The interests of justice require the court to appoint counsel when the district court conducts an evidentiary hearing on the petition. , 29 F.3d 469 (8th Cir. 1994); Rule 8(c), Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases in the United States District Courts. The appointment of counsel is discretionary when no evidentiary hearing is necessary. See Hoggard, 29 F.3d at 471. In exercising its discretion, the court should consider the legal complexity of the case, the factual complexity of the case, and Petitioner’s ability to investigate and present his claims, along with any other relevant factors. Jd; see also Battle v. Armontrout, 902 F.2d 701, 702 (8th Cir. 1990). Where the issues involved can be properly resolved on the basis of the record, a district court does not abuse its discretion in denying a request for court- appointed counsel. See Hoggard, 29 F.3d at 471. The court does not anticipate the need for an evidentiary hearing, as the case will likely be resolved on the basis of the state court record. If the court elects to hold an evidentiary hearing, Petitioner may renew his motion

or the court may appoint counsel sua sponte at that time. For the foregoing reasons, Petitioner’s motion to appoint counsel [ECF No. 2] is denied. IT IS SO ORDERED. (Via. V: Mager July 27, 2020 Shiva V. Hodges Columbia, South Carolina United States Magistrate Judge

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Cruz v. FCI Bennettsville, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/cruz-v-fci-bennettsville-scd-2020.

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