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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.