Fisher v. Stange

District Court, E.D. Missouri

Fisher v. Stange

Trial Court Opinion

EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI SOUTHEASTERN DIVISION

BRANDON EUGENE FISHER, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) v. ) No. 1:22-CV-139 MTS ) BILL STANGE, ) ) Respondent. )

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

Petitioner moves for appointment of counsel in this habeas corpus action brought pursuant to

28 U.S.C. § 2254

. After considering the motion and the pleadings, the motion is denied without prejudice to refiling at a later time. There is no constitutional or statutory right to appointed counsel in civil cases. Nelson v. Redfield Lithograph Printing,

728 F.2d 1003, 1004

(8th Cir. 1984). In determining whether to appoint counsel, the Court considers several factors, including (1) whether the petitioner has presented non-frivolous allegations supporting his or her prayer for relief; (2) whether the petitioner will substantially benefit from the appointment of counsel; (3) whether there is a need to further investigate and present the facts related to the petitioner’s allegations; and (4) whether the factual and legal issues presented by the action are complex. See Johnson v. Williams,

788 F.2d 1319, 1322-23

(8th Cir. 1986); Nelson,

728 F.2d at 1005

. Petitioner has presented non-frivolous allegations in his application for writ of habeas corpus. However, he has demonstrated, at this point, that he can adequately present his claims to the Court. Additionally, neither the factual nor the legal issues in this case are complex. To the extent required, the Court will entertain future motions for appointment of counsel as the case progresses. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that petitioner’s motion for appointment of counsel, Doc. is DENIED without prejudice. Dated this 26th day of October, 2022. IATTHEW T. SCHELP UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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Reference

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