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Gonzalez v. Thaler

Docket No.10-895
Op. Below5th Circuit
ArgumentNov 2, 2011

Holding

Section 2253(c)(3) is a mandatory but nonjurisdictional rule. The failure of a certificate of appealability to "indicate" a constitutional issue does not deprive a court of appeals of jurisdiction to adjudicate the appeal. Moreover, for a state prisoner who does not seek review in a state"s high"est court, the judgment becomes "final" for purposes of Section 2244(d)(1)(A) upon "expiration of the time for seeking such review." The petitioner"s appeal in this case was therefore untimely.

Judgment

Affirmed, 8-1, in an opinion by Sonia Sotomayor on Jan 10, 2012. Justice Scalia filled a dissenting opinion.

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