Martel v. Clair

Docket No.	Op. Below	Argument	Opinion	Vote	Author	Term
10-1265	9th Cir.	Dec 6, 2011 Tr.Aud.	Mar 5, 2012	9-0	Kagan	OT 2011

Holding: When evaluating motions to substitute counsel in capital cases under 18 U. S. C. § 3599, courts should employ the same “interests of justice” standard that applies in non-capital cases under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A. In this case, the district court did no abuse its discretion when, using the “interests of justice” standard, it denied Clair’s second request for new counsel. The Ninth Circuit erred in overturning that denial.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice Kagan on March 5, 2012.

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Opinion analysis: Rejecting a standard that "comes from . . . . well, from nowhere” (Edward Hartnett)
Argument recap: Made-up standards, unjustified innuendo, and untested fingerprints (Edward Hartnett)
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Brief for Kenneth Clair

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Editor's Note :

Martel v. Clair

SCOTUSblog Coverage

Briefs and Documents

Certiorari-stage documents

Featured Posts

Opinion analysis: Justices uphold arbitration exemption for transportation workers in rare victory for arbitration opponents – Ronald Mann

Argument analysis: When is the government not really the government for immunity from tort liability? – Gregory Sisk

Argument analysis: Quiescent bench dubious about broad fee awards in copyright cases – Ronald Mann

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