Maples v. Thomas
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-63 | 11th Cir. | Oct 4, 2011 | Jan 18, 2012 | 7-2 | Ginsburg | OT 2011 |
Holding: Death row inmate Cory Maples has shown the requisite "cause" to excuse his procedur"al default, which occurred when his lawyer missed a filing deadline in state court.
Judgment: Eleventh Circuit reversed, 7-2, in an opinion by Justice Ginsburg on January 18, 2012. Justice Alito filed a concurring opinion. Justice Scalia filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justice Thomas.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Academic round-up (Amanda Frost, February 16, 2012)
- The October sitting, week one: In Plain English (Amy Howe, October 12, 2011)
- Argument recap: Maples will get, at least, a remand? (Amy Howe, October 6, 2011)
- Argument preview: What cause will excuse default in capital case? (Amy Howe, October 4, 2011)
- Argument preview: What cause will excuse default in capital case? (Amy Howe, October 4, 2011)
- Argument preview: What cause will excuse default in capital case? (Amy Howe, October 4, 2011)
Briefs and Documents
Merits Briefs for the Petitioner
Amicus Briefs in Support of the Petitioner
- Brief for Deborah A. DeMott
- Brief for the Constitution Project and Cato Institute
- Brief for Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Brief for NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc.
- Brief for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers et al.
- Brief for Alabama Appellate Court Justices and Bar Presidents“
- Brief for Legal Ethics Professors and Practicioners and the Ethics Bureau at Yale
Merits Briefs for the Respondent
Amicus Briefs in Support of the Respondent
Certiorari-stage documents
- Opinion below (11th Circuit)
- Petition for Certiorari
- Amicus brief of Alabama Appellate Court Justices et al.
- Amicus brief of the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Amicus brief of the Constitution Project
- Amicus brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Brief in opposition (unavailable)
- Second supplemental brief for petitioner (unavailable)
- First supplemental brief for petitioner (unavailable)
- Supplemental brief for respondent (unavailable)
- Petitioner’s reply (unavailable)
Merits Briefs for the Petitioner
Amicus Briefs in Support of the Petitioner
- Brief for Deborah A. DeMott
- Brief for the Constitution Project and Cato Institute
- Brief for Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Brief for NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc.
- Brief for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers et al.
- Brief for Alabama Appellate Court Justices and Bar Presidents“
- Brief for Legal Ethics Professors and Practicioners and the Ethics Bureau at Yale
Merits Briefs for the Respondent
Amicus Briefs in Support of the Respondent
[##CERT-STAGE##]
- Brief in opposition (unavailable)
- Second supplemental brief for petitioner (unavailable)
- First supplemental brief for petitioner (unavailable)
- Supplemental brief for respondent (unavailable)
- Petitioner’s reply (unavailable)