At page 319 Insufficiency of naked allegations in habeas corpus petitions59 citing cases“does not have a constitutional right to access a free transcript in order to search for error.”
- Welch v. Attorney Gen. of the State of Colorado, No. 25-1315 (10th Cir. Apr. 24, 2026).unpublishedRuark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992).
- Crosby v. Warden ADX, No. 25-1215 (10th Cir. Nov. 19, 2025).unpublishedViewed against this approval and exemption rubric, we conclude that Crosby’s factual allegations are entirely too vague to meet the pleading requirements of Habeas Rules 2(c)(1) and 2(c)(2) and amount to no more than “naked allegations,” w…
- Hoid v. State of Colorado Attorney Gen., No. 25-1258 (10th Cir. Sept. 19, 2025).unpublishedBut “‘naked allegations’ are not cognizable under § 2254.” Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992) (quoting United States v. MacCollom, 426 U.S. 317 , 326–27 (1976)).
- Hardrick v. 36th Dist. Court, No. 2:24-cv-10698 (E.D. Mich. Apr. 29, 2024).Rickard v. Burton, 2 F. App’x 469, 470 (6th Cir. 2001) (citing to Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992); United States v. MacCollom, 426 U.S. 317 , 325- 26 (1976)).
- Warren (ID 64442) v. Kansas, State of, No. 5:23-cv-03251 (D. Kan. Dec. 27, 2023).Appx. 545, 551 (10th Cir. 2010) (unpublished) (citing Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992)); see also Sistrunk v. United States, 992 F.2d 258, 260 (10th Cir. 1993) (“[B]efore an [indigent prisoner] is entitled to a free tran…
- Baytops v. Harper, No. 2:23-cv-10339 (E.D. Mich. Mar. 8, 2023).Rickard v. Burton, 2 F. App’x. 469, 470 (6th Cir. 2001)(citing to Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F. 2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992); United States v. MacCollom, 426 U.S. 317, 325-26 (1976)).
- Gibson (ID 124179) v. Schnurr, No. 5:22-cv-03131 (D. Kan. Nov. 9, 2022).(Doc. 10, p. 1.) If Petitioner is seeking a free personal hard copy of all trial transcripts, it is well-established that even “an indigent § 2254 petitioner does not have a constitutional right to access a free transcript in order to sear…
- Padgett v. Bennett (INMATE 3), No. 2:19-cv-00741 (M.D. Ala. Sept. 9, 2022).(prisoner not entitled to transcript before filing § 2254 petition)
- Tatum (ID 81154) v. Williams, No. 5:19-cv-03228 (D. Kan. June 24, 2022).Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992)(citation omitted); see also United States v. MacCollom, 426 U.S. 317 , 325–26 (1976) (plurality) (upholding constitutionality of statute limiting availability of free transcripts in feder…
- Strawn v. Long, No. 1:21-cv-01897 (D. Colo. Nov. 17, 2021).A § 2254 petitioner “does not have a constitutional right to access a free transcript in order to search for error.” Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992) (citing Hines, 422 F.2d at 1006-07 ).
Show 43 more citing cases
- Corrales v. Cruz-Martinez, No. 1:18-cv-00771 (D.N.M. Feb. 4, 2021).Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10" Cir. 1992).
- Crowder v. Graves, No. 5:18-cv-00923 (W.D. Okla. Dec. 16, 2019). Kilgore v. Weatherly, 500 F. App’x 799, 800 (10th Cir. 2012) (unpublished) (citing Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992) (per curiam)); see also Nortonsen v. Larimer Cty.
- Jackson v. Par., No. 2:15-cv-11622 (E.D. Mich. Nov. 14, 2019).Rickard v. Burton, 2 F. App’x 469, 470 (6th Cir. 2001) (citing to Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F. 2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992)); see also United States v. MacCollom, 426 U.S. 317, 325-26 (1976).
- Kilgore v. Weatherly, 500 F. App'x 799 (10th Cir. 2012).unpublishedRuark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992) (citing Griffin v. Illinois, 351 U.S. 12 , 76 S.Ct. 585 , 100 L.Ed. 891 (1956)).
- Argota v. Miller, 424 F. App'x 769 (10th Cir. 2011).unpublishedIt read Mr. Argota as also contending that “he cannot adequately fashion a § 2254 petition because the state has denied him access to a trial transcript.” Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992) (per curiam); see Hines v. Baker,…
- Livingston v. State of Kansas, 407 F. App'x 267 (10th Cir. 2010).unpublishedWe find no fault with the district court’s conclusion. “[A]n indigent § 2254 petitioner does not have a constitutional right to access a free transcript in order to search for error.” Ruarle v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992) (pe…
- Torres v. Tapia, 396 F. App'x 545 (10th Cir. 2010).unpublishedR. at 313-14 (citing Jackson v. Turner, 442 F.2d 1303, 1305 (10th Cir.1971) and Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992)); accord R. at 346, 347 (adopting the magistrate judge’s recommendation).
- Hailey v. Ray, 312 F. App'x 113 (10th Cir. 2009).unpublishedWe have previously held that "an indigent § 2254 petitioner does not have a constitutional right to access a free transcript in order to search for error,” Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992) (per curiam), but rather must de…
- United States v. Stover, 576 F. Supp. 2d 134 (D.D.C. 2008).publishedId. at 632 ; See also Rickard v. Burton, 2 Fed.Appx. 469, 470 , 2001 WL 111663 (6th Cir.2001) (stating that the petitioner “has no constitutional right to a transcript to prepare for a post-conviction proceeding.”); Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.…
- Nortonsen v. Larimer Cnty. Dist. Court, 178 F. App'x 783 (10th Cir. 2006).unpublishedRuark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992) (per curiam).
- Harmon v. Hightower, 149 F. App'x 742 (10th Cir. 2005).unpublishedAs we explained in Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992), a state prisoner petitioning for a writ of habeas corpus "does not have a constitutional right to access a free transcript in order to search for error." Mr. Harmon mus…
- Kenneth J. Lloyd v. John R. Vannatta, 296 F.3d 630 (7th Cir. 2002).published (prisoner not entitled to transcript before fifing § 2254 petition)
- Negron v. Adams, No. 00-1071 (10th Cir. Aug. 15, 2000).unpublished“On direct appeal, a trial transcript is an absolute matter of right for an indigent criminal defendant.” Ruark v. Gunter , 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992).
- Sweezy v. Gibson, No. 99-6131 (10th Cir. Feb. 17, 2000).unpublishedAlthough an indigent criminal defendant has an absolute right to a transcript on direct appeal, see Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992), there is no constitutional right to a free transcript on habeas for the purpose of sea…
- Eric Uzzielities Holman v. J.W. Booker, Warden--Usp, Leavenworth United States Dep't of Just., Their Agencies, Agents, Officers & Employees, 166 F.3d 347 (10th Cir. 1998).published (stating that “naked allegations” devoid of factual support are not cognizable on federal habeas)
- United States v. Le Son Reed, 166 F.3d 349 (10th Cir. 1998).published (stating that "naked allegations" are not cognizable under federal habeas corpus statutes)
- Marvin Brown v. New Mexico Dist. Court Clerks Vicki Akenhead, Managing Reporter Annette G. Aragon & Viola W. Lewis, Off. Court Reporters, 141 F.3d 1184 (10th Cir. 1998).published (applying the MacCollom analysis to a § 2254 action)
- Gerald Daniels v. Steve Hargett, & Attorney Gen. of the State of Oklahoma, 107 F.3d 880 (10th Cir. 1997).publishedAs "an indigent § 2254 petitioner does not have a constitutional right to access a free transcript in order to search for error," Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992), the district court did not err in failing to provide Dani…
- Daniels v. Hargett, No. 95-6453 (10th Cir. Mar. 12, 1997).unpublishedAs “an indigent § 2254 petitioner does not -4- have a constitutional right to access a free transcript in order to search for error,” Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992), the district court did not err in failing to provide…
- Jurgevich v. Dist. Court, Routt Cnty., 907 P.2d 565 (Colo. 1995).published Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992); Bonner v. Henderson, 517 F.2d 135, 136 (5th Cir.1975).
- Kevin Chillis v. Frank Gunter & Gale A. Norton, Attorney Gen., 5 F.3d 545 (10th Cir. 1993).publishedRuark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992).
- Mitchell v. Roberts, 804 F. Supp. 197 (D. Kan. 1992).publishedRuark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992).
- Guardian, No. 1:26-cv-01737 (D. Colo. Aug. 3, 2026).See Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992) (per curiam).
- Ricks v. Laughlin, No. 24-1335 (10th Cir. Sept. 27, 2024).unpublishedSee Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992) (per curiam).
- Farrow v. People of the State Colorado, No. 1:23-cv-01089 (D. Colo. Apr. 5, 2024).See Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992) (per curiam).
- Moses v. Romero, No. 1:19-cv-01167 (D. Colo. May 12, 2020).See Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992) (per curiam).
- Rani v. Barr, No. 1:19-cv-02017 (D. Colo. Dec. 6, 2019).See Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992) (per curiam).
- Thompson v. Williams, 401 F. App'x 398 (10th Cir. 2010).unpublishedSee Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992).
- Jackson v. Jones, 292 F. App'x 737 (10th Cir. 2008).unpublished(‘[Njaked allegations’ [of ineffective assistance of counsel] are not cognizable under § 2254.)
- George v. State, 127 P.3d 1055 (Nev. 2006).publishedSee Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir. 1992) (citing United States v. MacCollom, 426 U.S. 317 (1976) (plurality opinion)).
- Grant v. Booher, 27 F. App'x 975 (10th Cir. 2001).unpublishedSee Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992) (per curiam) (factual allegations are necessary to entitle a habeas petitioner to a free trial transcript).
- Hudson v. Campbell, 3 F. App'x 396 (6th Cir. 2001).unpublishedSee Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992); see also United States v. MacCollom, 426 U.S. 317, 325-26 , 96 S.Ct. 2086 , 48 L.Ed.2d 666 (1976) (plurality) (upholding constitutionality of statute limiting availability of free tra…
- Rickard v. Burton, 2 F. App'x 469 (6th Cir. 2001).unpublishedSee Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992); see also United States v. MacCollom, 426 U.S. 317, 325-26 , 96 S.Ct. 2086 , 48 L.Ed.2d 666 (1976) (plurality) (upholding constitutionality of statute limiting availability of free tra…
- Hays v. Newsom, 3 F. App'x 270 (6th Cir. 2001).unpublishedSee Ruark v. Gunter, 958 F.2d 318, 319 (10th Cir.1992); see also United States v. MacCollom, 426 U.S. 317, 325-26 , 96 S.Ct. 2086 , 48 L.Ed.2d 666 (1976) (plurality) (upholding constitutional ity of statute limiting availability of free tr…
- Lloyd Orvil Paylor v. Ed Evans, Warden, 133 F.3d 932 (10th Cir. 1998).published
- United States v. Enrique Pedraza, 166 F.3d 349 (10th Cir. 1998).published
- Lewis Lorenzo Sistrunk v. United States, 992 F.2d 258 (10th Cir. 1993).published
- Taylor v. Fifth Jud. Dist. Court, No. 1:18-cv-00127 (D.N.M. July 29, 2020).
- Waters, No. 2:22-cv-00926 (D.N.M. Mar. 2, 2026).
- In Re The People of the State of Colorado v. Keevin Bell, II, 2026 CO 28, 589 P.3d 465.published
- Waters, No. 2:22-cv-00926 (D.N.M. Mar. 30, 2026).
- Tyler v. Owen, No. 98-5101 (10th Cir. Mar. 1, 1999).unpublished
- Magness v. Pettigrew, No. 6:22-cv-00376 (E.D. Okla. May 2, 2024).
Other citing cases
- (HC) Rodriguez v. Fisher, No. 3:21-cv-01395 (S.D. Cal. Apr. 4, 2022).
- United States v. Jenkins, 581 F. App'x 731 (10th Cir. 2014).unpublished
v.
Frank GUNTER, Gale A. Norton, Attorney General, of the State of Colorado, Respondents-Appellees
Petitioner-appellant Theodore Ruark appeals from the district court’s dismissal of his 28 U.S.C. § 2254 habeas corpus petition. In 1963, Petitioner was convicted in a Colorado state court of escape, aggravated robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. The Colorado Supreme Court affirmed the escape conviction on appeal but reversed the aggravated robbery and assault convictions. See Ruark v. People, 158 Colo. 287, 406 P.2d 91 (1965). Petitioner is still serving time for the escape conviction as well as numerous other offenses for which sentences were imposed to run consecutively. He now claims that he received ineffective assistance of counsel at the 1963 trial, but that he cannot adequately fashion a § 2254 petition because the state has denied him access to a trial transcript. The district court dismissed the federal habeas petition, holding that defendant had not stated a constitutional claim. We affirm.
On direct appeal, a trial transcript is an absolute matter of right for an indigent criminal defendant. See Griffin v. Illinois, 351 U.S. 12, 76 S.Ct. 585, 100 L.Ed. 891 (1956). However, a § 2255 petitioner seeking collateral relief must demonstrate that his claim is not frivolous before the court is required to provide him with a free transcript. See United States v. MacCollom, 426 U.S. 317, 96 S.Ct. 2086, 48 L.Ed.2d 666 (1976) (Plurality) (interpreting 28 U.S.C. § 753(f)). Although the MacGollom Court dealt with a § 2255 federal petition, we think its reasoning is applicable to Petitioner’s § 2254 action as well. See United States v. Delaware, 427 F.Supp. 72 (D.Del.1976) (interpreting 28 U.S.C. § 2250). The MacCollom Court expressly cited circuit court opinions which held that indigent petitioners seeking collateral relief did not have unlimited access to trial transcripts. 426 U.S. at 327 n. 5, 96 S.Ct. at 2092 n. 5. In one of those cases, Hines v. Barker, 422 F.2d 1002 (10th Cir.1970), we held that an indigent § 2254 petitioner does not have a constitutional right to access a free transcript in order to search for error. Id. at 1006-07 (distinguishing Wade v. Wilson, 396 U.S. 282, 90 S.Ct. 501, 24 L.Ed.2d 470 (1970), in which Supreme Court expressly declined to define the parameters of a § 2254 petitioner’s right to a free transcript).
Petitioner has not colored his ineffective assistance claims with any factual allegations. He merely states that his counsel was ineffective and that he needs a transcript to prove it. Such “naked allegations” are not cognizable under § 2254, and we are not compelled to allow Petitioner to conduct a search for error. See MacCollom, 426 U.S. at 326-27, 96 S.Ct. at 2092.
AFFIRMED.