Jones v. Lamarque
Jones v. Lamarque
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
California state prisoner Clerence Jones appeals the district court’s dismissal of his 28 U.S.C. § 2254 petition as untimely. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 2253, and we affirm, see Welch v. Fritz, 909 F.2d 1330, 1331 (9th Cir. 1990) (concluding that appeals court may affirm for any reason finding support in the record).
The district court dismissed Jones’ first section 2254 petition, which alleged denial of the right to meaningful self-representa
Unfortunately, the district court did not have the benefit of our decision in Tillema v. Long, 253 F.3d 494, 503-04 (9th Cir. 2001), and thus its dismissal of Jones’ second petition without affording him the opportunity to abandon the unexhausted claims and factual allegations as an alternative to dismissal was in error. We conclude that with the benefit of equitable tolling, Jones’ petition, therefore, is timely. Id. (concluding that where the district court’s erroneous dismissal of a petition results in petitioner losing opportunity for federal review, petitioner is entitled to equitable tolling).
Our determination notwithstanding, we deem it necessary to address the district court’s ruling on the merits of Jones’ claim. See Hiivala v. Wood, 195 F.3d 1098, 1104 (9th Cir. 1999) (per curiam) (considering and rejecting claim to broaden COA to include additional claims not presented to the motions panel for certification); James v. Giles, 221 F.3d 1074, 1076-77 (9th Cir. 2000). We reject as unpersuasive, however, Jones’ contention that he was denied his right to meaningful self-representation because he did not have the time or resources to adequately prepare for trial.
During jury selection, Jones requested and was granted the right to represent himself.
The right to self-representation is not without limit and demands only reasonable access to legal materials. United States v. Sarno, 73 F.3d 1470, 1491 (1995) (emphasis added). In this case, Jones was granted as much access as was reasonable considering that any further continuance would have violated the speedy trial rights that he refused to waive. Id. (concluding that the rights of pro per defendants must be balanced against resource constraints of the prison).
Accordingly, Jones fails to make a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right, and thus we shall not broaden the COA. Hiivala, 195 F.3d at 1104.
AFFIRMED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as may be provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.
. Jones does not allege that his waiver of the right to counsel was not knowing and voluntary as required by Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 835, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Clerence JONES v. A.A. LAMARQUE, Warden Attorney General of the State of California
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published