Lopez v. United States

District Court, S.D. New York·Decided March 3, 2021·No. 1:21-cv-01858·Unknown

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK GIBRON LOPEZ, Movant, 21 Civ. 1858 (KPF) -v.- 16 Cr. 323-2 (KPF) UNITED STATES, ORDER Respondent. KATHERINE POLK FAILLA, District Judge: The Court is in receipt of Mr. Lopez’s letters dated February 21, 2021, and docketed March 3, 2021 (see Dkt. #155-59), as well as Mr. Lopez’s motion pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (Dkt. #154). There is no constitutional right to counsel in a proceeding brought under § 2255. See, e.g., Pennsylvania v. Finley, 481 U.S. 551, 555 (1987). However, the Criminal Justice Act (“CJA”) provides that a court may appoint counsel to an indigent person in a § 2255 proceeding when “the interests of justice so require.” 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B). In deciding whether to exercise its discretion to appoint

counsel under the CJA, courts in the Second Circuit consider the same factors as those applicable to requests for pro bono counsel made by civil litigants. See, e.g., Bennett v. United States, No. 03 Civ. 1852 (SAS), 2004 WL 2711064, at *7 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 23, 2004). Those factors include the likelihood of success on the merits, the complexity of the legal issues, and the movant's ability to investigate and present the case. See, e.g., Cooper v. A. Sargenti Co., 877 F.2d 170, 172 (2d Cir. 1989); Hodge v. Police Officers, 802 F.2d 58, 61-62 (2d Cir. 1986). Here, the loss of the case file in Movant’s underlying criminal case raises a complex issue that will significantly hinder Movant’s ability to investigate and present the case. (See Dkt. #156). The appointment of counsel will: (i) greatly assist in the identification and production of the most relevant documents in the missing case file, and (ii) facilitate Movant’s ability to investigate and present his case. Accordingly, the Court finds that the appointment of counsel in this situation is justified. The CJA clerk shall identify a member of the CJA panel with an upcoming duty day who does not have any conflict in representing Mr. Lopez. That attorney will be appointed to represent Mr. Lopez for the purpose of assisting him, as appropriate, in obtaining relevant documentation from his case file and in the preparation of his § 2255 motion. Additionally, movant has requested that the Court enclose a copy of his recent § 2255 motion. (See Dkt. #155). That document is enclosed. The Clerk of Court is directed to file this Order in Case Nos. 21 Civ. 1858 and 16 Cr. 323-2. The Clerk of Court is directed to mail a copy of this Order to Movant at his address of record. SO ORDERED. a _, Dated: March 3, 2021 Kathe bali. (lla New York, New York KATHERINE POLK FAILLA United States District Judge

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Related

Pennsylvania v. Finley
481 U.S. 551 (Supreme Court, 1987)
Bennie Cooper v. A. Sargenti Co., Inc.
877 F.2d 170 (Second Circuit, 1989)