Hoskins v. Davis, No. 2:2016cv00518 - Document 15 (S.D. Tex. 2017)

Court Description: OPINION AND ORDER Denying 14 Motion for Appointment of Counsel.(Signed by Magistrate Judge B Janice Ellington) Parties notified.(srussell, 2)

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Hoskins v. Davis Doc. 15 United States District Court Southern District of Texas ENTERED UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS CORPUS CHRISTI DIVISION MALQUWAN HOSKINS, Petitioner, VS. LORIE DAVIS, Respondent. § § § § § § § § April 17, 2017 David J. Bradley, Clerk CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:16-CV-518 OPINION AND ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL Petitioner filed this petition pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254, challenging a disciplinary conviction at his current place of confinement, the McConnell Unit. Petitioner requests appointment of counsel (D.E. 14). There is no constitutional right to counsel in federal habeas proceedings. Johnson v. Hargett, 978 F.2d 855 (5th Cir. 1992). Rule 8 of the Rules Governing § 2254 Cases requires that counsel be appointed if the habeas petition raises issues which mandate an evidentiary hearing. Service of process was ordered on February 15, 2017 (D.E. 10), and a responsive pleading is due no later than May 10, 2017 (D.E. 12), and at this point there are no issues which mandate an evidentiary hearing. An evidentiary hearing will be scheduled and counsel will be assigned sua sponte if there are issues which mandate a hearing. Moreover, counsel may be assigned if discovery is ordered and issues necessitating the assignment of counsel are evident. Rule 6(a) of the Rules Governing § 2254 Cases; Thomas v. Scott, 47 F.3d 713, 715 n. 1 (5th 1/2 Dockets.Justia.com Cir. 1995). Accordingly, petitioner's motion for appointment of counsel (D.E. 14) is denied without prejudice. ORDERED this 17th day of April, 2017. ___________________________________ B. JANICE ELLINGTON UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 2/2

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