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Reeves v. Alabama

Petition for certiorari denied on November 17, 2017

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
16-9282 Ala. Crim. App. N/A N/A N/A N/A OT 2017

Issue: Whether, when trial counsel does not testify about his or her own strategic decisions as part of a claim under Strickland v. Washington, a defendant may establish ineffective assistance of counsel using other evidence, as most circuit and state courts hold; or whether the presumption of sound strategy is categorically irrebuttable in the absence of trial counsel's testimony, as the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals held here.

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
03/09/2017Application (16A886) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from April 20, 2017 to May 22, 2017, submitted to Justice Thomas.
03/13/2017Application (16A886) granted by Justice Thomas extending the time to file until May 22, 2017.
05/22/2017Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due June 22, 2017)
06/21/2017Order extending time to file response to petition to and including July 24, 2017.
07/24/2017Brief of respondent Alabama in opposition filed.
08/03/2017Reply of petitioner Matthew Reeves filed.
08/10/2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/25/2017.
08/31/2017Record Requested.
09/08/2017Record received from the Court of Criminal Appeals of Alabama. The record is electronic.
09/14/2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/6/2017.
09/29/2017Rescheduled.
10/10/2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/13/2017.
10/23/2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/27/2017.
10/30/2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 11/3/2017.
11/06/2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 11/9/2017.
11/13/2017Petition DENIED. Justice Sotomayor, with whom Justice Ginsburg and Justice Kagan join, dissenting from the denial of certiorari. (Detached Opinion)