(HC) Sho v. S.F. Field Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Opinion

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11 MONSURU WOLE SHO, ) Case No.: 1:21-cv-01812-BAK (HBK) (HC) ) 12 Petitioner, ) ORDER DENYING PETITIONER’S MOTION ) FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL 13 v. ) ) (Doc. No. 3) ) DIRECTOR, SAN FRANCISCO FIELD ) 16 AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, et al., ) ) 17 Respondents. ) 18

19 20 On November 12, 2021, Petitioner filed a motion to appoint counsel. (Doc. No. 3.) Petitioner 21 has a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. ¶ 2241 challenging his continued 22 detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement pending before the Court. (Doc. No. 1). 23 Petitioner requests appointment of counsel to assist him in this action. This same day, the Court 24 directed Respondent to file a response to the Petition. 25 There is no automatic, constitutional right to counsel in federal habeas proceedings. See 26 Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 752 (1991); Anderson v. Heinze, 258 F.2d 479, 481 (9th Cir. 27 1958). The Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, however, authorizes this court to appoint 28 counsel for a financially eligible person who seeks relief under § 2254 when the “court determines that 1 || the interests of justice so require.” Id. at § 3006A(a)(2)(B); see also Chaney v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191 2 || 1196 (9th Cir. 1986). 3 A review of the pleadings filed by Petitioner to date show he was able to file his habeas 4 || petition without the aid of counsel and articulate his claims. And, contrary to Petitioner’s assertion, 5 || the court does not find the issues are “so complex that due process violations will occur absent the 6 || presence of counsel.” Bonin v. Vasquez, 999 F.2d 425, 428-29 (9th Cir. 1993). As noted, this case i: 7 || in the early stages of litigation and Respondent’s response to the Petition is not yet due. Based upon 8 || the record, the Court does not find that the interests of justice require the appointment of counsel at tk 9 || present time. 10 Accordingly, it is ORDERED: 11 Petitioner’s motion for appointment of counsel (Doc. No. 3) is DENIED. 12 13 Dated: _February 9. 2022 Mile. Th fares Hack HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA 15 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28