Martinez v. Ryan
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-1001 | 9th Cir. |
Oct 4, 2011 Tr.Aud. |
Mar 20, 2012 | 7-2 | Kennedy | OT 2011 |
Holding: Where, under state law, ineffective-assistance-of-trial-counsel claims must be raised in an initial-review collateral proceeding, a procedural default will not bar a federal habeas court from hearing those claims if, in the initial-review collateral proceeding, there was no counsel or counsel in that proceeding was ineffective.
Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 7-2, in an opinion by Justice Kennedy on March 20, 2012. Justice Scalia filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justice Thomas.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Opinion analysis: A new remedy, but no right
- Argument recap: An Arizona-specific right to collateral post-conviction counsel?
- Martinez v. Ryan argument preview: Direct vs. collateral review and the theory behind the right to counsel
- No sequel, yet, on alien controls
Briefs and Documents
Merits Briefs for the Petitioner Amicus Briefs in Support of the Petitioner- Brief for the American Bar Association
- Brief for Former Supreme Court Justices
- Brief for the Innocence Network
- Brief for the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation
- Brief for the States of Wisconsin et al.
- Brief for the United States
