(HC)Lawless

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

9 KRISTOPHER WILLIAM LAWLESS, Case No. 1:22-cv-00523-JLT-EPG-HC Petitioner, ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL WITHOUT

v. PREJUDICE BRIAN CATES, (ECF No. 12) Respondent. 15 Petitioner Kristopher William Lawless is proceeding pro se with a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. On June 14, 2022, Petitioner filed the instant motion for appointment of counsel. (ECF No. 12). There currently exists no absolute right to appointment of counsel in habeas proceedings. See, e.g., Chaney v. Lewis, 801 F.2d 1191, 1196 (9th Cir. 1986); Anderson v. Heinze, 258 F.2d 479, 481 (9th Cir. 1958). However, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(a)(2)(B) authorizes the appointment of counsel at any stage of the proceeding for financially eligible persons if “the interests of justice so require.” See Rule 8(c), Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases. To determine whether to appoint counsel, the “court must evaluate the likelihood of success on the merits as well as…