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Martinez v. Ryan

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
10-1001 9th Cir. Oct 4, 2011 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.

Briefs and Documents

Merits Briefs for the Petitioner

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Petitioner

Merits Briefs for the Respondent

Amicus Briefs in Support of the Respondent

Certiorari-stage documents