(HC) Yocom v. Allison ( 2023 )

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 MICHAEL ALAN YOCOM, Case No. 1:21-cv-00187-JLT-HBK (HC) 12 Petitioner, ORDER DENYING PETITIONER’S 13 v. MOTION FOR EXONERATION AND RELEASE FROM CUSTODY 14 KATHLEEN ALLISON, (Doc. No. 85) 15 Respondent. ORDER DENYING PETITIONER’S 16 MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL 17 (Doc. No. 87) 18 19 Petitioner Michael Alan Yocom, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, has pending a petition 20 for writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. (Doc. No. 1, “Petition”). Before the Court is 21 Petitioner’s “motion to exonerate him immediately as to all (6) six counts” and “order an 22 unconditional release” (Doc. No. 85) and Petitioner’s motion for appointment of counsel (Doc. 23 No. 87). 24 A. Motion for Exoneration and Immediate Release 25 In support of this motion to exonerate and for immediate release, Petitioner generally 26 restates the argument asserted in his Petition, and also notes that it has been “six months ago [sic] 27 this Court last ruled and this case is outstanding.” (Doc. No. 85 at 1). To the extent Petitioner is 28 1 | attempting to expand on arguments in his Petition, neither the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 2 | nor the Local Rules provide for the right to file additional pleadings outside those described in 3 | Fed. R. Civ. P. 7(a). Moreover, “[b]ail pending a decision in a habeas case is reserved for 4 | extraordinary cases involving special circumstances or a high probability of success.” Land □□ 5 | Deeds, 878 F.2d 318, 318 (9th Cir. 1989). The Court finds Petitioner has not demonstrated 6 | special circumstances warranting his release or a high probability of success on the merits of his 7 | petition. Accordingly, his request is denied. 8 B. Motion for Appointment of Counsel 9 There is no automatic, constitutional right to counsel in federal habeas proceedings. See 10 | Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 752 (1991); Anderson v. Heinze, 258 F.2d 479, 481 (9th 11 | Cir. 1958). The Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, however, authorizes this court to 12 | appoint counsel for a financially eligible person who seeks relief under § 2241 when the “court 13 || determines that the interests of Justice so require.” Id. at § 3006A(a)(2)(B); see also Chaney v. 14 | Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 1196 (9th Cir. 1986). Moreover, the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases 15 | in the United States District Courts require the court to appoint counsel: (1) when the court has 16 | authorized discovery upon a showing of good cause and appointment of counsel is necessary for 17 | effective discovery; or (2) when the court has determined that an evidentiary hearing is warranted. 18 | 7d. at Rs. 6(a) and 8(c). Based upon the record, the Court finds Petitioner has not demonstrated 19 | that appointment of counsel is necessary at this stage of the proceedings. Petitioner was able to 20 | file his habeas petition and numerous motions throughout the proceedings without the aid of 21 | counsel. Further, the Court finds the circumstances of this case at this time do not indicate that 22 | appointed counsel is necessary to prevent due process violations. 23 Accordingly, it is ORDERED: 24 1. Petitioner’s motion for exoneration and immediate release (Doc. No. 85) is DENIED. 25 2. Petitioner’s motion for appointment of counsel (Doc. No. 87) is DENIED. | Dated: _ April 4, 2023 Wh fareh fackte 27 HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA 38 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE