Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-4_13-cv-01542/USCOURTS-azd-4_13-cv-01542-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2254 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (State)

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WO 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 

Noa Salazar,

Petitioner, 

v. 

Charles L. Ryan, et al., 

Respondents. 

No. CV-13-01542-TUC-BGM 

ORDER 

 Currently pending before the Court is Petitioner Noa Salazar’s pro se Petition 

Under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 for a Writ of Habeas Corpus by a Person in State Custody (NonDeath Penalty) (Doc. 1). Respondents have filed an Answer to Petition for Writ of 

Habeas Corpus (“Answer”) (Doc. 15) and Petitioner replied (Doc. 16). The Petition is 

ripe for adjudication. 

 Also pending before the Court is Petitioner’s Motion to Vacate Conviction (Doc. 

19) and Petitioner’s Request for Copy of Docket and Status of Case (Doc. 22). 

 . . . 

 . . . 

 . . . 

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I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND 

 The Arizona Court of Appeal stated the facts1

 as follows: 

 [W]itnesses observed Salazar as he parked his vehicle on the wrong 

side of the road in a manner that impeded traffic, got out holding and 

drinking an alcoholic beverage, and urinated in the bushes of a nearby 

residence. Additional evidence established that, on the same day, Salazar 

had an estimated AC of .271 within two hours of driving, his license 

previously had been suspended and revoked, and he had been convicted of 

three felony offenses committed within the preceding five years. 

Answer (Doc. 15), Ariz. Ct. of Appeals, Memorandum Decision 10/12/2010 (Exh. “J”) at 

2. 

 On August 28, 2008, a jury found Petitioner guilty of Aggravated Driving Under 

the Influence While License is Suspended, Revoked or in Violation of a Restriction as 

alleged in Count One of the Indictment and guilty of Aggravated Driving With an 

Alcohol Concentration of 0.08 or More While License is Suspended or Revoked as 

alleged in Count Two of the Indictment. Answer (Doc. 15), Ariz. Superior Ct., Pima 

County, Case No. CR-20080843, Verdict Forms (Exh. “G”) at 1–2. On March 25, 2010, 

Petitioner was sentenced to two aggravated terms of twelve (12) years imprisonment with 

consecutive community supervision in accordance with A.R.S. § 13-603(I), to be served 

concurrently. Answer (Doc. 15), Ariz. Superior Ct., Pima County, Priors Trial/Sentence 

of Imprisonment Minute Entry 3/25/2010 (Exh. “H”) at 2–3. 

 1

 As these state court findings are entitled to a presumption of correctness and Petitioner 

has failed to show by clear and convincing evidence that the findings are erroneous, the Court 

hereby adopts these factual findings. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(1); Schriro v. Landrigan, 550 U.S. 

465, 473–74, 127 S.Ct. 1933, 1940, 167 L.Ed.2d 836 (2007); Wainwright v. Witt, 469 U.S. 412, 

426, 105 S.Ct. 844, 853, 83 L.Ed.2d 841 (1985); Cf. Rose v. Lundy, 455 U.S. 509, 519, 102 S.Ct. 

1198, 1204, 71 L.Ed.2d 379 (1982). 

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A. Direct Appeal 

 On July 12, 2010, counsel for Petitioner filed an Anders2

 brief with the Arizona 

Court of Appeals.3

 Answer (Doc. 15), Appellant’s Opening Br. 7/12/2010 (Exh. “I”). 

On October 12, 2010, the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed Petitioner’s conviction. 

Answer (Doc. 15), Ariz. Ct. App. Memorandum Decision 10/12/2010 (Exh. “J”). The 

court of appeals concluded that “substantial evidence supported findings of all the 

elements necessary for Salazar’s convictions.” Id., Exh. “J” at 2 (citing A.R.S. §§ 28-

1381(A)(1),(2); 28-1383(A)(1)). The court further held that “Salazar’s sentences were 

within the range authorized and were imposed in a lawful manner.” Id., Exh. “J” at 2 

(citing A.R.S. §§ 13-105(22)(c); 13-703(C),(J)). The appellate court certified that its 

“examination of the record pursuant to Anders, . . . found no reversible error and no 

arguable issue warranting further appellate review.” Id., Exh. “J” at 3. 

 

2 Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396 (1967). 

3

 The Arizona Court of Appeals has described the procedure of filing an Anders brief as 

follows: 

Under our procedure, when appointed counsel determines that a defendant's case 

discloses no arguable issues for appeal, counsel files an Anders brief. The brief 

contains a detailed factual and procedural history of the case, with citations to the 

record. See Scott, 187 Ariz. at 478 n. 4, 930 P.2d at 555 n. 4. Counsel submits the 

brief to the court and the defendant. The defendant is then given the opportunity 

to file a brief pro per. After receiving all briefing, the court reviews the entire 

record for reversible error. If any arguable issue presents itself, the court directs 

appointed counsel to brief the issue. Only after the court has ascertained that 

counsel has conscientiously performed his or her duty to review the record, and 

has itself reviewed the record for reversible error and found none, will the court 

allow counsel to withdraw. See State v. Shattuck, 140 Ariz. 582, 584–85, 684 P.2d 

154, 156–57 (1984). We conclude that this procedure permits counsel to perform 

ethically, while simultaneously ensuring that an indigent defendant's 

constitutional rights to due process, equal protection, and effective assistance of 

counsel are protected. 

State v. Clark, 196 Ariz. 530, 537, 2 P.3d 89, 96 (Ct. App. 1999). 

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B. Post-Conviction Relief Proceeding 

 On August 9, 2010, Petitioner filed his Notice of Post-Conviction Relief (“PCR”). 

Answer (Doc. 15), Not. of PCR 8/9/2010 (Exh. “K”). On December 7, 2010, counsel for 

Petitioner filed a Petition for Post Conviction Relief. See Answer (Doc. 15), Pet. for PCR 

12/7/2010 (Exh. “L”). Petitioner asserted ineffective assistance of trial counsel, alleging 

that counsel 1) failed to inform him of the trial date; and 2) failed to adequately 

investigate and present mitigating evidence at sentencing. See Answer (Doc. 15), Exh. 

“L” at 7, 10–14, 16–19. Petitioner further asserted that his Sixth Amendment right to be 

present at trial was violated. Id., Exh. “L” at 7, 14–16. Finally, Petitioner asserted that 

the trial court committed sentencing error based on its imposition of both aggravated and 

consecutive sentences. Id., Exh. “L” at 7, 20–24. 

 On June 18, 2012, the Rule 32 court denied Petitioner’s petition. See Answer 

(Doc. 15), Ariz. Superior Ct., Pima County, Under Advisement Ruling 6/18/2012 (Exh. 

“M”). Prior to denial of the petition, the Rule 32 Court held an evidentiary hearing. See

Answer (Doc. 15), Exh. “M” at 3; Rule 32 Evid. Hr’g Tr. Excerpts 3/2/2012 (Exh. “B”); 

Rule 32 Evid. Hr’g Tr. – Afternoon Session Excerpts 3/2/2012 (Exh. “C”). The Rule 32 

court declined to impose on an attorney “a duty to search for [a] client or cause an 

investigation as to the defendant’s whereabouts . . . where [no such duty] is stated in the 

[Ethical] Rule or Comment.” Answer (Doc. 15), Exh. “M” at 4. The court went on to 

note that even if there were such a duty, that duty would be extinguished or waived by a 

client who fails to comply with release conditions including contacting his attorney and 

providing contact information; a client’s failure to appear at hearings of which he had 

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notice; a client’s whereabouts are unknown; or the court issues a warrant for defendant’s 

arrest before the trial. Id., Exh. “M” at 5. The court found that “[t]he client was 

prejudiced by his own actions but not by the action or inaction of his attorney.” Id., Exh. 

“M” at 5. As such, the Rule 32 court held that trial counsel was not ineffective. 

 The Rule 32 court also recognized Petitioner’s federal and state constitutional 

right to be present at trial. Id., Exh. “M” at 6. It found, however, that “[a] defendant may 

waive his right to be present at any proceeding by voluntarily absenting himself or herself 

from it.” Id., Exh. “M” at 6. The court further found that the Petitioner received court 

orders and acknowledged that his failure to appear could result in the court case and trial 

proceeding in his absence. Answer (Doc. 15), Exh. “M” at 6. In light of Petitioner’s 

failure to contact his attorney, provide his contact information to his attorney, or attend 

the Case Management Conference, the court found that Petitioner’s “conduct was a clear, 

if not express, intentional, voluntary and knowing waiver and rejection of his right to be 

present at trial.” Id., Exh. “M” at 8. 

 The Rule 32 court also denied Petitioner’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim 

for an alleged failure to present additional mitigating evidence at trial. Id., Exh. “M” at 9. 

The Rule 32 court determined that this assertion of ineffectiveness arose “from an 

erroneous understanding of A.R.S. 13-603 L.” Id., Exh. “M” at 9. As such, the Rule 32 

found that “(a) counsel’s representation was not below an objective standard of 

reasonableness; and (b) that the Petitioner suffered no prejudice because the mitigating 

evidence, though important, does not outweigh the aggravating factors found by the court 

at sentencing.” Id., Exh. “M” at 9. 

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 Regarding any alleged sentencing error, the Rule 32 court noted that the “issue is 

arguably precluded as a matter that should have been raised on appeal.” Answer (Doc. 

15), Exh. “M” at 10 (citing Ariz. R. Crim. P. 32.2(a)(1)). The court considered the merits 

and held that “[t]he requirement that the sentence in this case run consecutive to the 

Maricopa case was a conscious exercise of this court’s discretion . . . [not] from a default 

designation of consecutive sentences pursuant [to] Rule 26.13.” Id., Exh. “M” at 10. 

 On September 5, 2012, Petitioner filed a Petition for Review to the Arizona Court 

of Appeals. Answer (Doc. 15), Pet. for Review to the Ariz. Ct. of Appeals 9/5/2012 

(Exh. “N”). Petitioner alleged that “trial counsel failed to advise Petitioner of his trial 

date, and did not conduct an adequate investigation into Petitioner’s whereabouts before 

trial in order to assure his presence at trial” in violation of Strickland,

4

 Arizona ethical 

rules, and the Due Process Clause. Answer (Doc. 15), Exh. “N” at 15–16. On January 9, 

2013, the Arizona Court of Appeals granted review, but denied relief. See Answer (Doc. 

15), Ariz. Ct. of Appeals, Mem. Decision 1/9/2013 (Exh. “O”). The court of appeals 

relied on Arizona law and gave the Rule 32 court’s factual findings deference. Id., Exh. 

“O” at 3. The appellate court recognized “an out-of-custody defendant’s duty to maintain 

contact with his or her attorney and to appear in court.” Id., Exh. “O” at 3 (citing State v. 

Muniz-Caudillo, 185 Ariz. 261, 262, 914 P.2d 1353, 1354 (Ct. App. 1996)). 

Accordingly, the court of appeals concluded that there was no error in the Rule 32 court’s 

findings “that counsel’s performance was not deficient and that Salazar’s right to be 

present at trial was not violated.” Id., Exh. “O” at 3. On July 23, 2013, the Arizona 

4 Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984).

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Supreme Court denied review. Answer (Doc. 15), Ariz. Supreme Ct. Minute Entry 

7/23/2013 (Exh. “P”) at 1. 

D. The Instant Habeas Proceeding

 On October 28, 2013, Petitioner filed his Petition Under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 for a 

Writ of Habeas Corpus by a Person in State Custody (Non-Death Penalty) (Doc. 1). 

Petitioner claims two (2) grounds for relief. First, Petitioner argues that trial “counsel 

was prejudicially ineffective, violating the Constitutional Guarantee of reasonable 

competence and undivided loyalty by abandoning his client’s cause and join[ing] the 

Prosecution by advising, directing and representing to the Court to proceed with trial in 

his client’s absence when the Court offered counsel 4 hours to contact and produce his 

client before trial commenced.” Petition (Doc. 1) at 6. Second, Petitioner alleges that his 

“Due Process Rights were violated when he was unreasonably denied the right to be 

present for jury trial because of his lawyer’s intentional conduct to prejudice him by 

refusing to even attempt to contact Salazar with notice that trial was commencing.” Id. at 

7. On February 5, 2014, Respondents filed their Answer (Doc. 15). On February 13, 

2014, Petitioner replied (Doc. 16). 

II. STANDARD OF REVIEW 

A. In General

 The federal courts shall “entertain an application for a writ of habeas corpus in 

behalf of a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court only on the ground 

that he is in custody in violation of the Constitution or laws of treaties of the United 

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States.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a) (emphasis added). Moreover, a petition for habeas corpus 

by a person in state custody: 

shall not be granted with respect to any claim that was adjudicated on the 

merits in State court proceedings unless the adjudication of the claim – (1) 

resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable 

application of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by the 

Supreme Court of the United States; or (2) resulted in a decision that was 

based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence 

presented in the State court proceeding. 

28 U.S.C. § 2254(d); see also Cullen v. Pinholster, 563 U.S. 170, 181, 131 S.Ct. 1388, 

1398, 179 L.Ed.2d 557 (2011). Correcting errors of state law is not the province of 

federal habeas corpus relief. Estelle v. McGuire, 502 U.S. 62, 67, 112 S.Ct. 475, 480, 

116 L.Ed.2d 385 (1991). Ultimately, “[t]he statute’s design is to ‘further the principles of 

comity, finality, and federalism.’” Panetti v. Quarterman, 551 U.S. 930, 945, 127 S.Ct. 

2842, 2854, 168 L.Ed.2d 662 (2007) (quoting Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 337, 

123 S.Ct. 1029, 154 L.Ed.2d 931 (2003)). Furthermore, this standard is difficult to meet 

and highly deferential “for evaluating state-court rulings, [and] which demands that statecourt decisions be given the benefit of the doubt.” Pinholster, 563 U.S. at 181, 131 S.Ct. 

at 1398 (citations and internal quotation marks omitted). 

 The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (“AEDPA”), 110 Stat. 

1214, mandates the standards for federal habeas review. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254. The 

“AEDPA erects a formidable barrier to federal habeas relief for prisoners whose claims 

have been adjudicated in state court.” Burt v. Titlow, — U.S. —, 134 S.Ct. 10, 16, 187 

L.Ed.2d 348 (2013). Federal courts reviewing a petition for habeas corpus must 

“presume the correctness of state courts’ factual findings unless applicants rebut this 

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presumption with ‘clear and convincing evidence.’” Schriro v. Landrigan, 550 U.S. 465, 

473–74, 127 S.Ct. 1933, 1940, 167 L.Ed.2d 836 (2007) (citing 28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(1)). 

Moreover, on habeas review, the federal courts must consider whether the state court’s 

determination was unreasonable, not merely incorrect. Id., 550 U.S. at 473, 127 S.Ct. at 

1939; Gulbrandson v. Ryan, 738 F.3d 976, 987 (9th Cir. 2013). Such a determination is 

unreasonable where a state court properly identifies the governing legal principles 

delineated by the Supreme Court, but when the court applies the principles to the facts 

before it, arrives at a different result. See Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 131 S.Ct. 

770, 178 L.Ed.2d 624 (2011); Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 120 S.Ct. 1495, 146 

L.Ed.2d 389 (2000); see also Casey v. Moore, 386 F.3d 896, 905 (9th Cir. 2004). 

“AEDPA requires ‘a state prisoner [to] show that the state court’s ruling on the claim 

being presented in federal court was so lacking in justification that there was an error . . . 

beyond any possibility for fairminded disagreement.’” Burt, 134 S.Ct. at 10 (quoting 

Harrington, 562 U.S. at 103, 131 S.Ct. at 786–87) (alterations in original). 

B. Exhaustion of State Remedies 

 Prior to application for a writ of habeas corpus, a person in state custody must 

exhaust all of the remedies available in the State courts. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(b)(1)(A). This 

“provides a simple and clear instruction to potential litigants: before you bring any claims 

to federal court, be sure that you first have taken each one to state court.” Rose v. Lundy, 

455 U.S. 509, 520, 102 S.Ct. 1198, 1204, 71 L.Ed.2d 379 (1982). As such, the 

exhaustion doctrine gives the State “the opportunity to pass upon and correct alleged 

violations of its prisoners’ federal rights.” Baldwin v. Reese, 541 U.S. 27, 29, 124 S.Ct. 

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1347, 1349, 158 L.Ed. 2d 64 (2004) (internal quotations omitted). Moreover, “[t]he 

exhaustion doctrine is principally designed to protect the state courts’ role in the 

enforcement of federal law and prevent disruption of state judicial proceedings.” Rose, 

455 U.S. at 518, 102 S.Ct. at 1203 (internal citations omitted). This upholds the doctrine 

of comity which “teaches that one court should defer action on causes properly within its 

jurisdiction until the courts of another sovereignty with concurrent powers, and already 

cognizant of the litigation, have had an opportunity to pass upon the matter.” Id. (quoting 

Darr v. Burford, 339 U.S. 200, 204, 70 S.Ct. 587, 590, 94 L.Ed. 761 (1950)). 

 Section 2254(c) provides that claims “shall not be deemed . . . exhausted” so long 

as the applicant “has the right under the law of the State to raise, by any available 

procedure the question presented.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(c). “[O]nce the federal claim has 

been fairly presented to the state courts, the exhaustion requirement is satisfied.” Picard 

v. Connor, 404 U.S. 270, 275, 92 S.Ct. 509, 512, 30 L.Ed.2d 438 (1971). The fair 

presentation requirement mandates that a state prisoner must alert the state court “to the 

presence of a federal claim” in his petition, simply labeling a claim “federal” or expecting 

the state court to read beyond the four corners of the petition is insufficient. Baldwin v. 

Reese, 541 U.S. 27, 33, 124 S.Ct. 1347, 1351, 158 L.Ed.2d 64 (2004) (rejecting 

petitioner’s assertion that his claim had been “fairly presented” because his brief in the 

state appeals court did not indicate that “he was complaining about a violation of federal 

law” and the justices having the opportunity to read a lower court decision addressing the 

federal claims was not fair presentation); Hiivala v. Wood, 195 F.3d 1098 (9th Cir. 1999) 

(holding that petitioner failed to exhaust federal due process issue in state court because 

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petitioner presented claim in state court only on state grounds). Furthermore, in order to 

“fairly present” one’s claims, the prisoner must do so “in each appropriate state court.” 

Baldwin, 541 U.S. at 29, 124 S.Ct. at 1349. “Generally, a petitioner satisfies the 

exhaustion requirement if he properly pursues a claim (1) throughout the entire direct 

appellate process of the state, or (2) throughout one entire judicial postconviction process 

available in the state.” Casey v. Moore, 386 F.3d 896, 916 (9th Cir. 2004) (quoting 

Liebman & Hertz, Federal Habeas Corpus Practice and Procedure, § 23.3b (9th ed. 

1998)). 

 In Arizona, however, for non-capital cases “review need not be sought before the 

Arizona Supreme Court in order to exhaust state remedies.” Swoopes v. Sublett, 196 F.3d 

1008, 1010 (9th Cir. 1999); see also Crowell v. Knowles, 483 F.Supp.2d 925 (D. Ariz. 

2007); Moreno v. Gonzalez, 192 Ariz. 131, 962 P.2d 205 (1998). Additionally, the 

Supreme Court has further interpreted § 2254(c) to recognize that once the state courts 

have ruled upon a claim, it is not necessary for an applicant to seek collateral relief for 

the same issues already decided upon direct review. Castille v. Peoples, 489 U.S. 346, 

350, 109 S.Ct. 1056, 1060, 103 L.Ed.2d 380 (1989). 

C. Procedural Default 

 “A habeas petitioner who has defaulted his federal claims in state court meets the 

technical requirements for exhaustion; there are no state remedies any longer ‘available’ 

to him.” Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 732, 111 S.Ct. 2546, 2555, 115 L.Ed.2d 

650 (1991). Moreover, federal courts “will not review a question of federal law decided 

by a state court if the decision of that court rests on a state law ground that is independent 

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of the federal question and adequate to support the judgment.” Id., 501 U.S. at 728, 111 

S.Ct. at 2254. This is true whether the state law basis is substantive or procedural. Id.

(citations omitted). Such claims are considered procedurally barred from review. See 

Wainwright v. Sykes, 433 U.S. 72, 97 S.Ct. 2497, 53 L.Ed.2d 594 (1977). 

 The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals explained the difference between exhaustion 

and procedural default as follows: 

The exhaustion doctrine applies when the state court has never been 

presented with an opportunity to consider a petitioner’s claims and that 

opportunity may still be available to the petitioner under state law. In 

contrast, the procedural default rule barring consideration of a federal claim 

applies only when a state court has been presented with the federal claim, 

but declined to reach the issue for procedural reasons, or if it is clear that 

the state court would hold the claim procedurally barred. Franklin v. 

Johnson, 290 F.3d 1223, 1230 (9th Cir. 2002) (internal quotation marks and 

citations omitted). Thus, in some circumstances, a petitioner’s failure to 

exhaust a federal claim in state court may cause a procedural default. See 

Sandgathe v. Maass, 314 F.3d 371, 376 (9th Cir. 2002); Beaty v. Stewart, 

303 F.3d 975, 987 (9th Cir. 2002) (“A claim is procedurally defaulted ‘if 

the petitioner failed to exhaust state remedies and the court to which the 

petitioner would be required to present his claims in order to meet the 

exhaustion requirement would now find the claims procedurally barred.’”) 

(quoting Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 735 n. 1, 111 S.Ct. 2546, 

115 L.Ed.2d 640 (1991)). 

Cassett v. Stewart, 406 F.3d 614, 621 n. 5 (9th Cir. 2005). Thus, a prisoner’s habeas 

petition may be precluded from federal review due to procedural default in two ways. 

First, where the petitioner presented his claims to the state court, which denied relief 

based on independent and adequate state grounds. Coleman, 501 U.S. at 728, 111 S.Ct. 

at 2254. Federal courts are prohibited from review in such cases because they have “no 

power to review a state law determination that is sufficient to support the judgment, 

resolution of any independent federal ground for the decision could not affect the 

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judgment and would therefore be advisory.” Id. Second, where a “petitioner failed to 

exhaust state remedies and the court to which the petitioner would be required to present 

his claims in order to meet the exhaustion requirement would now find the claims 

procedurally barred.” Id. at 735 n.1, 111 S.Ct. at 2557 n.1 (citations omitted). Thus, the 

federal court “must consider whether the claim could be pursued by any presently 

available state remedy.” Cassett, 406 F.3d at 621 n.6 (quoting Ortiz v. Stewart, 149 F.3d 

923, 931 (9th Cir. 1998)) (emphasis in original). 

 Where a habeas petitioner’s claims have been procedurally defaulted, the federal 

courts are prohibited from subsequent review unless the petitioner can show cause and 

actual prejudice as a result. Teague v. Lane, 489 U.S. 288, 298, 109 S.Ct. 1060, 1068, 

103 L.Ed.2d 334 (1989) (holding that failure to raise claims in state appellate proceeding 

barred federal habeas review unless petitioner demonstrated cause and prejudice); see 

also Smith v. Murray, 477 U.S. 527, 534, 106 S.Ct. 2661, 2666, 91 L.Ed.2d 434 (1986) 

(recognizing “that a federal habeas court must evaluate appellate defaults under the same 

standards that apply when a defendant fails to preserve a claim at trial.”). “[T]he 

existence of cause for a procedural default must ordinarily turn on whether the prisoner 

can show that some objective factor external to the defense impeded counsel’s efforts to 

comply with the State’s procedural rule.” Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 488, 106 

S.Ct. 2639, 2645, 91 L.Ed.2d 397 (1986); see also Martinez-Villareal v. Lewis, 80 F.3d 

1301, 1305 (9th Cir. 1996) (petitioner failed to offer any cause “for procedurally 

defaulting his claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, [as such] there is no basis on 

which to address the merits of his claims.”). In addition to cause, a habeas petitioner 

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must show actual prejudice, meaning that he “must show not merely that the errors . . . 

created a possibility of prejudice, but that they worked to his actual and substantial 

disadvantage, infecting his entire trial with error of constitutional dimensions.” Murray, 

477 U.S. at 494, 106 S.Ct. at 2648 (emphasis in original) (internal quotations omitted). 

Without a showing of both cause and prejudice, a habeas petitioner cannot overcome the 

procedural default and gain review by the federal courts. Id., 106 S.Ct. at 2649. 

 The Supreme Court has recognized, however, that “the cause and prejudice 

standard will be met in those cases where review of a state prisoner’s claim is necessary 

to correct ‘a fundamental miscarriage of justice.’” Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 

111 S.Ct. 2546, 115 L.Ed.2d 640 (1991) (quoting Engle v. Isaac, 456 U.S. 107, 135, 102 

S.Ct. 1558, 1572–73, 71 L.Ed.2d 783 (1982)). “The fundamental miscarriage of justice 

exception is available ‘only where the prisoner supplements his constitutional claim with 

a colorable showing of factual innocence.’” Herrara v. Collins, 506 U.S. 390, 404, 113 

S.Ct. 853, 862, 122 L.Ed.2d 203 (1993) (emphasis in original) (quoting Kuhlmann v. 

Wilson, 477 U.S. 436, 454, 106 S.Ct. 2616, 2627, 91 L.Ed.2d 364 (1986)). Thus, “‘actual 

innocence’ is not itself a constitutional claim, but instead a gateway through which a 

habeas petitioner must pass to have his otherwise barred constitutional claim considered 

on the merits.” Herrara, 506 U.S. at 404, 113 S.Ct. at 862. Further, in order to 

demonstrate a fundamental miscarriage of justice, a habeas petitioner must “establish by 

clear and convincing evidence that but for the constitutional error, no reasonable 

factfinder would have found [him] guilty of the underlying offense.” 28 U.S.C. § 

2254(e)(2)(B). 

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 In Arizona, a petitioner’s claim may be procedurally defaulted where he has 

waived his right to present his claim to the state court “at trial, on appeal or in any 

previous collateral proceeding.” Ariz. R. Crim. P. 32.2(a)(3). “If an asserted claim is of 

sufficient constitutional magnitude, the state must show that the defendant ‘knowingly, 

voluntarily and intelligently’ waived the claim.” Id., 2002 cmt. Neither Rule 32.2. nor 

the Arizona Supreme Court has defined claims of “sufficient constitutional magnitude” 

requiring personal knowledge before waiver. See id.; see also Stewart v. Smith, 202 Ariz. 

446, 46 P.3d 1067 (2002). The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recognized that this 

assessment “often involves a fact-intensive inquiry” and the “Arizona state courts are 

better suited to make these determinations.” Cassett, 406 F.3d at 622. 

III. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS 

 As a threshold matter, the Court must consider whether Petitioner’s petition is 

barred by the statute of limitation. See White v. Klizkie, 281 F.3d 920, 921–22 (9th Cir. 

2002). The AEDPA mandates that a one-year statute of limitations applies to 

applications for a writ of habeas corpus by a person in state custody. 28 U.S.C. § 

2244(d)(1). Section 2244(d)(1) provides that the limitations period shall run from the 

latest of: 

(A) the date on which the judgment became final by the conclusion of 

direct review or the expiration of the time for seeking such review; 

(B) the date on which the impediment to filing an application created by 

the State action in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States 

is removed, if the applicant was prevented from filing by such State action; 

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(C) the date on which the constitutional right asserted was initially 

recognized by the Supreme Court, if the right has been newly recognized 

by the Supreme Court and made retroactively applicable to cases on 

collateral review; or 

(D) the date on which the factual predicate of the claim or claims 

presented could have been discovered through the exercise of due diligence. 

28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(1); Shannon v. Newland, 410 F.3d 1083 (9th Cir. 2005). “The time 

during which a properly filed application for State post-conviction or other collateral 

review with respect to the pertinent judgment or claim is pending shall not be counted 

toward any period of limitation under this subsection.” 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(2). 

Respondents do not dispute the timeliness of Erickson’s petition. See Answer (Doc. 15). 

The Court has independently reviewed the record and finds that the Petition (Doc. 1) is 

timely pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d)(1)(A). 

IV. ANALYSIS 

A. Ground One: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel 

 In his Petition (Doc. 1), Petitioner asserts a single claim for ineffective assistance 

of counsel for “abandoning his client’s cause and joining the Prosecution by advising, 

directing and representing to the Court to proceed with trial in his client’s absence.” See

Petition (Doc. 1). Petitioner’s Petition and its accompanying “Memorandum of Law” can 

be read broadly to include additional grounds for ineffective assistance of counsel, 

including: (1) counsel’s alleged failure to use a four (4) hour continuance to attempt to 

contact Petitioner prior to trial; (2) counsel’s alleged failure to contact Petitioner 

regarding the trial date; and (3) counsel allegedly “waiving” defendant’s appearance at 

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trial. Petition (Doc. 1) at 6, 13–16, 19–21. The Court will address each of these in turn. 

 1. Legal Standards

 For cases which have been fairly presented to the State court, the Supreme Court 

elucidated a two part test for determining whether a defendant could prevail on a claim of 

ineffective assistance of counsel sufficient to overturn his conviction. See Strickland v. 

Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). First, Petitioner must 

show that counsel’s performance was deficient. Id. at 687, 104 S.Ct. at 2064. “This 

requires showing that counsel made errors so serious that counsel was not functioning as 

the ‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment.” Id. Second, Petitioner 

must show that this performance prejudiced his defense. Id. Prejudice “requires showing 

that counsel’s errors were so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial whose 

result is reliable.” Id. Ultimately, whether or not counsel’s performance was effective 

hinges on its reasonableness under prevailing professional norms. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 

688, 104 S.Ct. at 2065; see also State v. Carver, 160 Ariz. 167, 771 P.2d 1382 (1989) 

(adopting Strickland two-part test for ineffective assistance of counsel claims). The Sixth 

Amendment’s guarantee of effective assistance is not meant to “improve the quality of 

legal representation,” rather it is to ensure the fairness of trial. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 

689, 104 S.Ct. at 2065. “Thus, ‘[t]he benchmark for judging any claim of ineffectiveness 

must be whether counsel’s conduct so undermined the proper functioning of the 

adversarial process that the trial cannot be relied on as having produced a just result.’” 

Cullen v. Pinholster, 563 U.S. 170, 131 S.Ct. 1388, 1403, 179 L.Ed.2d 557 (2011) 

(quoting Strickland, 466 at 686) (emphasis and alteration in original). 

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 “The standards created by Strickland and § 2254(d) are both ‘highly deferential,’ . 

. . and when the two apply in tandem, review is ‘doubly’ so[.]” Harrington v. Richter, 

562 U.S. 86, 105, 131 S.Ct. 770, 788, 178 L.Ed.2d 624 (2011) (citations omitted). 

Judging counsel’s performance must be made without the influence of hindsight. See 

Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. at 2065. As such, “the defendant must overcome 

the presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action ‘might be 

considered sound trial strategy.’” Id. (quoting Michel v. Louisiana, 350 U.S. 91, 101, 76 

S.Ct. 158, 164, 100 L.Ed. 83 (1955)). Without the requisite showing of either “deficient 

performance” or “sufficient prejudice,” Petitioner cannot prevail on his ineffectiveness 

claim. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 700, 104 S.Ct. at 2071. “[T]he question is not whether 

counsel’s actions were reasonable. The question is whether there is any reasonable 

argument that counsel satisfied Strickland’s deferential standard.” Gentry v. Sinclair, 705 

F.3d 884, 899 (9th Cir. 2013) (quoting Harrington, 562 U.S. at 105, 131 S.Ct. at 788) 

(alterations in original). “The challenger’s burden is to show ‘that counsel made errors so 

serious that counsel was not functioning as the ‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the 

Sixth Amendment.’” Harrington, 562 U.S. at 104, 131 S.Ct. at 787 (quoting Strickland, 

466 U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. 2052). Accordingly, “[w]e apply the doubly deferential 

standard to review the state court’s ‘last reasoned decision.’” Vega v. Ryan, 757 F.3d 

960, 966 (9th Cir. 2014) (citations omitted). “By its terms § 2254(d) bars relitigation of 

any claim ‘adjudicated on the merits’ in state court, subject only to the exceptions in 

2254(d)(1) and (d)(2).” Harrington, 131 U.S. at 98, 131 S.Ct. at 784. As such, Petitioner 

also bears the burden of showing that the state court applied Strickland to the facts of his 

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case in an objectively unreasonable manner. See Bell v. Cone, 535 U.S. 685, 698–99, 122 

S.Ct. 1843, 1852, 152 L.Ed.2d 914 (2002); see also 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). 

 Additionally, “[a]s a general matter, each ‘unrelated alleged instance [ ] of 

counsel’s ineffectiveness’ is a separate claim for purposes of exhaustion.” Gulbrandson 

v. Ryan, 738 F.3d 976, 992 (9th Cir. 2013) (quoting Moormann v. Schriro, 426 F.3d 

1044, 1056 (9th Cir. 2005)) (alterations in original). This means “all operative facts to an 

ineffective assistance claim must be presented to the state courts in order for a petitioner 

to exhaust his remedies.” Hemmerle v. Schriro, 495 F.3d 1069, 1075 (9th Cir. 2007). 

This is “[b]ecause ineffective assistance claims are not fungible, but are instead highly 

fact-dependent, [requiring] some baseline explication of the facts relating to it[.]” Id. As 

such, “a petitioner who presented any ineffective assistance of counsel claim below 

can[not] later add unrelated instances of counsel’s ineffectiveness to that claim.” Id.

(citations and internal quotations omitted); see also Date v. Schriro, 619 F.Supp.2d 736, 

788 (D. Ariz. 2008) (“Petitioner’s assertion of a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel 

based on one set of facts, does not exhaust other claims of ineffective assistance based on 

different facts”). 

2. Allowing Trial to Proceed with Defendant in abstentia

 Petitioner claims that his trial counsel was “prejudicially ineffective violating the 

Constitutional Guarantee of reasonable competence and undivided loyalty by abandoning 

his client’s cause and join[ing] the Prosecution by advising, directing, and representing to 

the Court to proceed with trial in his client’s absence[,] when the Court offerred [sic] 

counsel 4 hours to contact and produce his client before trial commenced.” Petition 

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(Doc. 1) at 6. Respondents assert that Petitioner’s “Claim 1 is fundamentally different 

than Salazar’s ineffective assistance of counsel (“IAC”) claim in state court.” Answer 

(Doc. 15) at 6. Respondents therefore argue that Claim 1 is procedurally defaulted. Id. at 

7. The Court agrees with Respondents. 

 Petitioner raised ineffective assistance of trial counsel in his PCR petition. See 

Answer (Doc. 15), Pet.’s Pet. for PCR 12/7/2010 (Exh. “L”). Petitioner alleged that 

counsel 1) failed to inform him of the trial date; and 2) failed to adequately investigate 

and present mitigating evidence at sentencing. See Answer (Doc. 15), Exh. “L” at 7, 10–

14, 16–19. Petitioner re-urged trial counsel’s alleged failure to inform him of the trial 

date to the Arizona Court of Appeals. See Answer (Doc. 15), Pet. for Review to the Ariz. 

Ct. of Appeals 9/5/2012 (Exh. “N”) at 15–16. Petitioner did not raise Ground One, 

however, in either his direct appeal or PCR petitions. See Answer (Doc. 15), Appellant’s 

Opening Br. 7/12/2010 (Exh. “I”); Answer (Doc. 15), Exh. “L”. Petitioner urges that he 

presented the same “essential” claim to the state court. Reply (Doc. 16) at 9. Petitioner’s 

Ground One allegation of counsel refusing to delay trial, is factually different from 

Petitioner’s claim alleging counsel failed to inform him of the trial date. See Hemmerle 

v. Schriro, 495 F.3d 1069, 1075 (9th Cir. 2007). 

 As such, the Court finds that Petitioner’s Ground One is unexhausted and would 

now be precluded. Ariz. R. Crim. P. 32.1(d)–(h), 32.2(a)(3), 32.4; see also Baldwin v. 

Reese, 541 U.S. 27, 29, 124 S.Ct. 1347, 1349, 158 L.Ed.2d 64 (2004) (in order to “fairly 

present” one’s claims, the prisoner must do so “in each appropriate state court”). 

Accordingly, Petitioner’s claim is procedurally defaulted. Coleman v. Thompson, 501 

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U.S. 722, 735 n. 1, 111 S.Ct. 2546, 2557 n. 1, 115 L.Ed.2d 640 (1991) (“petitioner failed 

to exhaust state remedies and the court to which the petitioner would be required to 

present his claims in order to meet the exhaustion requirement would now find the claims 

procedurally barred”). Where a habeas petitioner’s claims have been procedurally 

defaulted, the federal courts are prohibited from subsequent review unless the petitioner 

can show cause and actual prejudice as a result. Teague v. Lane, 489 U.S. 288, 298, 109 

S.Ct. 1060, 1068, 103 L.Ed.2d 334 (1989) (holding that failure to raise claims in state 

appellate proceeding barred federal habeas review unless petitioner demonstrated cause 

and prejudice). 

 Petitioner has not met his burden to show either cause or actual prejudice. Murray 

v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 494, 106 S.Ct. 2639, 2648, 91 L.Ed.2d 397 (1986) (Petitioner 

“must show not merely that the errors . . . created a possibility of prejudice, but that they 

worked to his actual and substantial disadvantage, infecting his entire trial with error of 

constitutional dimensions”) (emphasis in original) (internal quotations omitted); see also 

Martinez-Villareal v. Lewis, 80 F.3d 1301, 1305 (9th Cir. 1996) (petitioner failed to offer 

any cause “for procedurally defaulting his claims[,] . . . [and as such,] there is no basis on 

which to address the merits of his claims.”). The Supreme Court has recognized, 

however, that “the cause and prejudice standard will be met in those cases where review 

of a state prisoner’s claim is necessary to correct ‘a fundamental miscarriage of justice.’” 

Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 111 S.Ct. 2546, 115 L.Ed.2d 640 (1991) (quoting 

Engle v. Isaac 456 U.S. 107, 135, 102 S.Ct. 1558, 1572-73, 71 L.Ed.2d 783 (1982)). 

“The fundamental miscarriage of justice exception is available ‘only where the prisoner 

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supplements his constitutional claim with a colorable showing of factual innocence.’” 

Herrara v. Collins, 506 U.S. 390, 404, 113 S.Ct. 853, 862, 122 L.Ed.2d 203 (1993) 

(emphasis in original) (quoting Kuhlmann v. Wilson, 477 U.S. 436, 454, 106 S.Ct. 2616, 

2627, 91 L.Ed.2d 364 (1986)). Thus, “‘actual innocence’ is not itself a constitutional 

claim, but instead a gateway through which a habeas petitioner must pass to have his 

otherwise barred constitutional claim considered on the merits.” Herrara, 506 U.S. at 

404, 113 S.Ct. at 862. Further, in order to demonstrate a fundamental miscarriage of 

justice, a habeas petitioner must “establish by clear and convincing evidence that but for 

the constitutional error, no reasonable factfinder would have found [him] guilty of the 

underlying offense.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(2)(B). 

 Petitioner asserts that he “would have testified on his own behalf at trial[.]” 

Petition (Doc. 1) at 17. Petitioner further contends that his testimony would: 

 [E]stablish[] the fact that he actually drove safely; pulling the 

vehicle over, parking it and exiting the vehicle, leaving it behind, no longer 

under his actual or constructive control. 

 The facts are in the record and are undisputed. However, Salazar’s 

testimony would have established evidence that Salazar disconnected 

himself from the possibility of physical DUI when he realized that he was 

impaired and should not drive. This would have established reasonable 

doubt as to criminal intent. 

 Moreover the record also demonstrates over an hour of time lapsed 

between when Salazar was observed leaving his vehicle and detained by 

police. 

 If Salazar’s testimony included the consumption of any alcohol 

subsequent to physically leaving his vehicle behind, this evidence would 

also have established reasonable doubt as a matter of law. 

Petition (Doc. 1) at 17–18. The evidence adduced at trial included eyewitness testimony 

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regarding Petitioner’s behavior as he parked and exited his vehicle. See Answer (Doc. 

15), Ariz. Superior Ct., Case No. CR-20080843, Jury Trial Day Two Tr. 8/27/2008 (Exh. 

“A”) at 8:6–29:19, 32:6–24, 42:6–45:6. Eyewitnesses testified that Petitioner was 

drinking an alcoholic beverage as he exited the vehicle and urinated on some bushes not 

far from where he parked. Id., Exh. “A” at 8:6–29:19, 32:6–24, 42:6–45:6. The state 

criminologist testified that Petitioner’s blood alcohol concentration (“BAC”) was 0.258 

grams of ethanol per 100 milliliters of blood at the time his blood was drawn, and 

extrapolated the concentration as 0.271 grams of ethanol per 100 milliliters of blood at 

two hours after Petitioner parked his vehicle. Id., Exh. “A” at 90:21–93:25. The 

criminologist further testified that assuming Petitioner did not consume any alcohol prior 

to stopping his vehicle, he would have had to imbibe sixteen (16) drinks within one (1) 

hour and five (5) minutes to have a 0.258 BAC. Id., Exh. “A” at 101:7–107:9. The jury 

was instructed as to the crime of aggravated driving under the influence while license or 

privilege to drive is suspended, revoked, or in violation of a restriction, as well as the 

lesser included offense of driving while under the influence. Id., Exh. “A” at 143:5–

149:8. 

 Based on the weight of the evidence adduced at trial, Petitioner cannot “establish 

by clear and convincing evidence that but for the constitutional error, no reasonable 

factfinder would have found [him] guilty of the underlying offense.” 28 U.S.C. § 

2254(e)(2)(B). Therefore, Petitioner’s claim for ineffective assistance of counsel based 

on an alleged failure to delay trial for four (4) hours cannot stand. 

 . . . 

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3. Using Four (4) Hour Continuance to Attempt Contact 

 Petitioner claims that his trial counsel was ineffective “by refusing the Court’s 

offer of approximately 4 hours of time to notify Salazar the trial would start that 

afternoon.” Petition (Doc. 1) at 13. Respondents assert that Petitioner failed to exhaust 

this claim, because he did not present it to the Arizona courts. Answer (Doc. 15) at 7. 

The Court agrees that this claim is unexhausted, and now procedurally defaulted. 

 Petitioner did not raise this claim in either his direct appeal or PCR petitions. See

Answer (Doc. 15), Appellant’s Opening Br. 7/12/2010 (Exh. “I”); Answer (Doc. 15), 

Exh. “L;” see also Discussion Section IV.2.A., supra. As such, the claim is unexhausted 

and would now be precluded. Ariz. R. Crim. P. 32.1(d)–(h), 32.2(a)(3), 32.4; see also 

Baldwin v. Reese, 541 U.S. 27, 29, 124 S.Ct. 1347, 1349, 158 L.Ed.2d 64 (2004) (in order 

to “fairly present” one’s claims, the prisoner must do so “in each appropriate state 

court”). Accordingly, Petitioner’s claim is procedurally defaulted. Coleman v. 

Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 735 n. 1, 111 S.Ct. 2546, 2557 n. 1, 115 L.Ed.2d 640 (1991) 

(“petitioner failed to exhaust state remedies and the court to which the petitioner would 

be required to present his claims in order to meet the exhaustion requirement would now 

find the claims procedurally barred”). Where a habeas petitioner’s claims have been 

procedurally defaulted, the federal courts are prohibited from subsequent review unless 

the petitioner can show cause and actual prejudice as a result. Teague v. Lane, 489 U.S. 

288, 298, 109 S.Ct. 1060, 1068, 103 L.Ed.2d 334 (1989) (holding that failure to raise 

claims in state appellate proceeding barred federal habeas review unless petitioner 

demonstrated cause and prejudice). Petitioner has not met his burden to show either 

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cause or actual prejudice. Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 494, 106 S.Ct. 2639, 2648, 

91 L.Ed.2d 397 (1986) (Petitioner “must show not merely that the errors . . . created a 

possibility of prejudice, but that they worked to his actual and substantial disadvantage, 

infecting his entire trial with error of constitutional dimensions”) (emphasis in original) 

(internal quotations omitted); see also Martinez-Villareal v. Lewis, 80 F.3d 1301, 1305 

(9th Cir. 1996) (petitioner failed to offer any cause “for procedurally defaulting his 

claims[,] . . . [and as such,] there is no basis on which to address the merits of his 

claims”); Discussion Section IV.2.A., supra (Petitioner cannot meet his burden regarding 

actual innocence to excuse procedural default). Therefore, Petitioner’s claim for 

ineffective assistance of counsel based on an alleged failure to use a four (4) hour 

continuance to attempt to contact Petitioner and inform him of the imminent start of trial 

cannot stand. See Petition (Doc. 1) at 13–15. 

4. Contact Regarding the Trial Date 

 Petitioner claims that his trial counsel was ineffective for not informing him of the 

trial date. Petition (Doc. 1) at 15–16. Respondent asserts that Petitioner failed to exhaust 

this claim, because he did not present it to the Arizona courts. Answer (Doc. 15) at 7. 

The Court finds this claim exhausted and will reach the merits. 

 Petitioner raised this issue in his PCR Petition. Answer (Doc. 15), Pet. for PCR 

(Exh. “L”) at 7, 10–14, 16–19. The Rule 32 court held an evidentiary hearing. See

Answer (Doc. 15), Ariz. Superior Ct., Pima County, Under Advisement Ruling 6/18/2012 

(Exh. “M”) at 3; Rule 32 Evid. Hr’g Tr. Excerpts 3/2/2102 (Exh. “B”); Rule 32 Evid. 

Hr’g Tr. – Afternoon Session Excerpts 3/2/2012 (Exh. “C”). The Rule 32 court 

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acknowledged that “[t]o state a colorable claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a 

defendant must show both that counsel’s performance fell below objectively reasonable 

standards and that this deficiency prejudiced the defendant.” Answer (Doc. 15), Exh. 

“M” at 3 (citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 

674 (1984). The Rule 32 court declined to impose on an attorney “a duty to search for [a] 

client or cause an investigation as to the defendant’s whereabouts . . . where [no such 

duty] is stated in the [Ethical] Rule or Comment.” Answer (Doc. 15), Exh. “M” at 4. 

The court went on to note that even if there were such a duty, that duty would be 

extinguished or waived by a client who fails to comply with release conditions including 

contacting his attorney and providing contact information; a client’s failure to appear at 

hearings of which he had notice; a client’s whereabouts are unknown; or the court issues 

a warrant for defendant’s arrest before the trial. Id., Exh. “M” at 5. The Rule 32 court 

found that Petitioner “called his attorney on or about March 31, 2008 and left a message 

that he was going into rehab but gave no information as to the name or location of the 

facility and gave an incorrect phone number[,] . . . [and] further knowingly deceived his 

attorney by staying only one day at the rehab facility and did not call his attorney back to 

inform him that he had left rehab.” Id., Exh. “M” at 7. The court further found that 

“[t]he client was prejudiced by his own actions but not by the action or inaction of his 

attorney.” Id., Exh. “M” at 5. As such, the Rule 32 court held that trial counsel was not 

ineffective. See id., Exh. “M.” 

 Petitioner re-urged this claim in his Petition for Review to the Arizona Court of 

Appeals. Answer (Doc. 15), Exh. “N.” Petitioner alleged that trial counsel “failed to 

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advise Petitioner of his trial date, and did not conduct an adequate investigation into 

Petitioner’s whereabouts before trial in order to assure his presence at trial.” Id., Exh. 

“N” at 15. The Arizona Court of Appeals recognized “an out-of-custody defendant’s 

duty to maintain contact with his or her attorney and to appear in court.” Answer (Doc. 

15), Ariz. Ct. of Appeals, Mem. Decision 1/9/2013 (Exh. “O”) at 3 (citing State v. MunizCaudillo, 185 Ariz. 261, 262, 914 P.2d 1353, 1354 (Ct. App. 1996)). The appellate court 

held that “[i]n view of that duty and under the circumstances presented here, viewing the 

evidence at the hearing with deference to the trial court’s findings of fact, we cannot say 

the court erred in concluding that counsel’s performance was not deficient and that 

Salazar’s right to be present at trial was not violated.” Id., Exh. “O” at 3. 

 Here, after an evidentiary hearing during which Petitioner and his former counsel 

both testified, the Rule 32 court found that Petitioner’s claim lacked merit. The court of 

appeals affirmed this ruling recognizing the lower court’s role to resolve conflicts in the 

evidence. “A state court’s determination that a claim lacks merit precludes federal 

habeas relief so long as ‘fairminded jurists could disagree’ on the correctness of the state 

court’s decision.” Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 101, 131 S.Ct. 770, 786, 178 

L.Ed.2d 624 (2011) (citing Yarborough v. Alvarado, 541 U.S. 652, 664, 124 S.Ct. 2140, 

158 L.Ed.2d 938 (2004)). Moreover, “Section 2254(d) ‘gives federal habeas courts no 

license to redetermine credibility of witnesses whose demeanor has been observed by the 

state trial court.” Aiken v. Blodgett, 921 F.2d 214, 217 (9th Cir. 1990) (quoting Marshall 

v. Lonberger, 459 U.S. 422, 434, 103 S.Ct. 843, 851, 74 L.Ed.2d 646 (1983)). “Where 

there are two permissible views of the evidence, a fact finder’s choice between them 

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cannot be clearly erroneous.” Cooper v. Brown, 510 F.3d 870, 919 (9th Cir. 2007) (citing 

Amadeo v. Zant, 486 U.S. 214, 226, 108 S.Ct. 1771, 100 L.Ed.2d 249 (1988)). Petitioner 

has failed to present any evidence to show that the Arizona court’s decision regarding his 

ineffective assistance claim is contrary to or an unreasonable application of clearly 

established Supreme Court law or based on an unreasonable determination of the facts. 

As such, this Court finds that the Arizona courts did not unreasonably apply clearly 

established Federal law or unreasonably determine the facts in light of the evidence 

presented, and Petitioner cannot meet his burden to show prejudice. See Gulbrandson, 

738 F.3d at 991. 

5. Waiver of Defendant’s Appearance at Trial 

 Petitioner claims that his trial counsel was ineffective because he “had no legal 

right to waive his client’s right to appear for trial[.]” Petition (Doc. 1) at 20. 

Respondents assert that Petitioner failed to exhaust this claim, because he did not present 

it to the Arizona courts. Answer (Doc. 15) at 7. The Court agrees that this claim is 

unexhausted, and now procedurally defaulted. 

 Petitioner did not raise this claim in either his direct appeal or PCR petitions. See

Answer (Doc. 15), Appellant’s Opening Br. 7/12/2010 (Exh. “I”); Answer (Doc. 15), 

Exh. “L;” see also Discussion Section IV.2.A., supra. As such, the claim is unexhausted 

and would now be precluded. Ariz. R. Crim. P. 32.1(d)–(h), 32.2(a)(3), 32.4; see also 

Baldwin v. Reese, 541 U.S. 27, 29, 124 S.Ct. 1347, 1349, 158 L.Ed.2d 64 (2004) (in order 

to “fairly present” one’s claims, the prisoner must do so “in each appropriate state 

court”). Accordingly, Petitioner’s claim is procedurally defaulted. Coleman v. 

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Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 735 n. 1, 111 S.Ct. 2546, 2557 n. 1, 115 L.Ed.2d 640 (1991) 

(“petitioner failed to exhaust state remedies and the court to which the petitioner would 

be required to present his claims in order to meet the exhaustion requirement would now 

find the claims procedurally barred”). Where a habeas petitioner’s claims have been 

procedurally defaulted, the federal courts are prohibited from subsequent review unless 

the petitioner can show cause and actual prejudice as a result. Teague v. Lane, 489 U.S. 

288, 298, 109 S.Ct. 1060, 1068, 103 L.Ed.2d 334 (1989) (holding that failure to raise 

claims in state appellate proceeding barred federal habeas review unless petitioner 

demonstrated cause and prejudice). Petitioner has not met his burden to show either 

cause or actual prejudice. Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 494, 106 S.Ct. 2639, 2648, 

91 L.Ed.2d 397 (1986) (Petitioner “must show not merely that the errors . . . created a 

possibility of prejudice, but that they worked to his actual and substantial disadvantage, 

infecting his entire trial with error of constitutional dimensions”) (emphasis in original) 

(internal quotations omitted); see also Martinez-Villareal v. Lewis, 80 F.3d 1301, 1305 

(9th Cir. 1996) (petitioner failed to offer any cause “for procedurally defaulting his 

claims[,] . . . [and as such,] there is no basis on which to address the merits of his 

claims”); Discussion Section IV.2.A., supra (Petitioner cannot meet his burden regarding 

actual innocence to excuse procedural default). Therefore, Petitioner’s claim for 

ineffective assistance of counsel based on an alleged improper waiver of Petitioner’s 

presence at trial cannot stand. 

 . . . 

 . . . 

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B. Due Process Violations 

 1. Ground Two: Due Process Violation Regarding Denial of 

Petitioner’s Presence at Trial

 Petitioner alleges that his “Due Process Rights were violated when he was 

unreasonably denied the right to be present for jury trial because of his lawyer’s 

ineffective conduct to prejudice him, by refusing to even attempt to contact Salazar with 

notice that trial was commencing.” Petition (Doc. 1) at 7. Respondents assert that 

“Salazar has not proved that the state PCR court decision [that he waived his right to be 

present at trial] was contrary to, or based on an unreasonable application of, clearly 

established federal law, or based on an unreasonable determination of the facts.” Answer 

(Doc. 15) at 17. 

 Petitioner initially asserted this claim in his PCR petition. See Answer (Doc. 15), 

Pet. for PCR 12/7/2010 (Exh. “L”) at 7, 14–16. The Rule 32 court made the following 

findings of fact relevant to Petitioner’s allegation of a Due Process violation: 

A. On February 16, 2008 the Petitioner was arrested, and an Interim 

Complaint was filed charging him with one count of Aggravated 

Driving with an Alcohol Concentration of 0.08 or More while 

License is Suspended. He was released on a cash bond in the 

amount of $1, 100

 The Bail Bond and Release Agreement dated February 16, 2008 

provides an address of 1504 North 176th Lane, Surprise, Arizona 

85388. Mail sent by the court to that address was returned because 

the address as written was incorrect. The Financial Affidavit . . . 

filed with the court and dated March 13, 2008 shows an address of 

15048 North 176th Lane, Surprise, Arizona 85388 

B. Between February 16 and March 31, 2008 the Petitioner did not 

reside at the Surprise, Arizona address 

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C. The Petitioner was indicted on March 06, 2008; and arraigned on 

March 13, 2008. At the arraignment, at which the Petitioner was 

present, the following occurred: 

 1. The court appointed Attorney Paul Bates to represent the 

Petitioner 

 2. The Petitioner received oral notification of the following: 

 a. That his failure to appear for trial could result in the trial 

proceeding in his absence. 

 b. That he shall provide current address and current 

telephone number to his defense attorney within 48 hours 

 c. That he shall meet with defense counsel within 35 days 

 d. That his failure to contact and meet with defense counsel 

could result in Defendant’s revocation of release. 

 3. The Petitioner received written notification of the following: 

 a. The next court date was a Case Management Conference 

set for April 30, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. 

 b. That he must contact defense counsel within seven days 

 c. Mr. Bates’ telephone number 

D. The Petitioner testified that on March 31, 2008 he checked into a 

Rehabilitation Center run by the Salvation Army, and spent one day 

at the center. The Petitioner left a message on Paul Bates’ 

voicemail. The Petitioner testified he provided an address and stated 

that the center was run by the Salvation Army. Mr. Bates called the 

number back and the number was unavailable. The court finds the 

testimony of Mr. Bates to be credible. 

E. The Petitioner did not appear at the Case Management Conference 

on April 30, 2008. A warrant was issued for his arrest on that date. 

Bond was forfeited on June 17, 2008 

F. Between May 01 and June 11, 2008 the Petitioner resided at the 

Crossroads Rehabilitation facility. This was not a locked facility, 

and the Petitioner could and did leave regularly 

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G. A Pretrial Conference was held on May 27, 2008. The Petitioner 

was not present. Trial was set for August 26, 2008 

H. The case proceeded to trial on August 26, 2008. The Petitioner was 

tried in abstentia, and convicted on both counts alleged in the 

indictment. On August 28, 2008; this court amended the warrant 

issued on April 30, 2008 to include entry in the National Crime 

Information Center’s database 

I. August/September [20]08, [t]he Petitioner moved from his 

Surprise[,] Arizona address, and resided with Katie Madden 

J. On September 28, 2008, Defendant was arrested on the warrant in 

Maricopa County, and was released on a $3,600 bond with the 

condition that he appear before this court on October 01, 2008. The 

Petitioner did not appear. An NCIC (No-Bond) warrant was issued 

by this court on October 10, 2008 

K. In October, 2008 the Petitioner contacted Paul Bates by phone and 

learned of his conviction. There was no further contact until 2010 

L. The Petitioner was arrested on September 27, 2009 in Maricopa 

County and released on a $5,400 bond, upon condition that he 

appear before this court on October 1, 2009. The Petitioner did not 

appear. 

M. On January 26, 2010, the State – upon learning that the Petitioner 

was serving a sentence at the Department of Corrections – filed a 

Petition for a writ of Habeas Corpus to have the Petitioner brought 

before this court for a priors trial and sentencing 

Answer (Doc. 15), Ariz. Superior Ct., Pima County, Findings of Fact 3/19/2012 (Exh. 

“M”) at 1–3 (emphasis in original). The Rule 32 court also recognized Petitioner’s 

federal and state constitutional right to be present at trial. Answer (Doc. 15), Ariz. 

Superior Ct., Pima County, Under Advisement Ruling 6/18/2012 (Exh. “M”) at 6. It 

found, however, that “[a] defendant may waive his right to be present at any proceeding 

by voluntarily absenting himself or herself from it.” Id. The Rule 32 court further found 

that Petitioner received court orders and acknowledged that his failure to appear could 

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result in the court case and trial proceeding in his absence. Id. The Rule 32 court 

determined that “[i]mplicit within the Petitioner’s conduct is a deliberate and conscious 

waiver of not just his right to be present at trial but of all other meaningful participation 

in the criminal justice process.” Id. The Rule 32 court found that “[i]n addition to the 

failures to contact his attorney, provide contact information to his attorney and attend the 

Case Management Conference . . . the Petitioner employed several misdirections and 

deceptions[.]” Answer (Doc. 15), Ariz. Superior Ct., Pima County, Under Advisement 

Ruling 6/18/2012 (Exh. “M”) at 6–7. The Rule 32 court further found Petitioner not 

credible and held that “[h]is conduct was a clear, if not express, intentional, voluntary and 

knowing waiver and rejection of his right to be present at trial.” Id. Ariz. Superior Ct., 

Pima County, Under Advisement Ruling 6/18/2012 (Exh. “M”) at 8. 

 Petitioner re-urged his claim to the Arizona Court of Appeals. See Answer (Doc. 

15), Pet. for Review to the Ariz. Ct. of Appeals 9/5/2012 (Exh. “N”). The court of 

appeals relied on Arizona law and gave the Rule 32 court’s factual findings deference. 

Answer (Doc. 15), Ariz. Ct. of Appeals, Mem. Decision 1/9/2013 (Exh. “O”). The 

Arizona Court of Appeals recognized “an out-of-custody defendant’s duty to maintain 

contact with his or her attorney and to appear in court.” Id., Exh. “O” at 3 (citing State v. 

Muniz-Caudillo, 185 Ariz. 261, 262, 914 P.2d 1353, 1354 (Ct. App. 1996)). The 

appellate court held that “[i]n view of that duty and under the circumstances presented 

here, viewing the evidence at the hearing with deference to the trial court’s findings of 

fact, we cannot say the court erred in concluding that counsel’s performance was not 

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deficient and that Salazar’s right to be present at trial was not violated.” Id., Exh. “O” at 

3. 

 The Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment to the United States 

Constitution provides that “[i]n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the 

right . . . to be confronted with the witnesses against him[.]” U.S. CONST. amend. VI. 

“One of the most basic of the rights guaranteed by the Confrontation Clause is the 

accused’s right to be present in the courtroom at every stage of his trial.” Illinois v. Allen, 

397 U.S. 337, 338, 90 S.Ct. 1057, 1058, 25 L.Ed.2d 353 (1970) (citing Lewis v. United 

States, 146 U.S. 370, 13 S.Ct. 136, 36 L.Ed. 1011 (1892)). This right, however, may be 

waived. Allen, 397 U.S. at 342–43, 90 S.Ct. at 1060 (“No doubt the privilege (of 

personally confronting witnesses) may be lost by consent”). As such, “[a] court is not 

precluded from holding a trial if the defendant voluntarily waives his presence before the 

trial commences.” Brewer v. Raines, 670 F.2d 117, 119 (9th Cir. 1982). 

 Here, Petitioner received written notice of the Case Management conference set 

for April 30, 2008 at 9:00 a.m., yet chose not to appear. Moreover, his sole attempt to 

contact his attorney provided counsel with an incorrect telephone number for a facility 

that Petitioner was only at one day. As the Rule 32 court noted, “Petitioner does not 

claim that he was physically prevented from attending his trial or was otherwise unable to 

be present in court on the days trial was held[;] [h]e asserts that the only reason he was 

not in attendance is that his attorney did not inform him of the trial date.” Answer (Doc. 

15), Exh. “M” at 6. Therefore, Petitioner’s failure to know his trial date “is directly 

attributable to his failure to keep in contact with the court and his attorney.” Brewer, 670 

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F.2d at 119. “A defendant cannot be allowed to keep himself deliberately ignorant and 

then complain about his lack of knowledge.” Id. This Court finds that the Arizona courts 

did not unreasonably apply clearly established Federal law or unreasonably determine the 

facts in light of the evidence presented, and Petitioner cannot meet his burden to show 

prejudice. See Gulbrandson, 738 F.3d at 991. 

 2. Defense Counsel “Switching” Sides 

 Broadly construed, Petitioner’s Memorandum of Law alleges a due process 

violation because defense counsel “participate[d] in the prosecution of [Petitioner][.]” 

Petition (Doc. 1) at 22. Respondents assert that this claim has been procedurally 

defaulted, and the Court agrees. 

 Petitioner did not raise this claim in either his direct appeal or PCR petitions. See

Answer (Doc. 15), Appellant’s Opening Br. 7/12/2010 (Exh. “I”); Answer (Doc. 15), 

Exh. “L;” see also Discussion Section IV.2.A., supra. As such, the claim is unexhausted 

and would now be precluded. Ariz. R. Crim. P. 32.1(d)–(h), 32.2(a)(3), 32.4; see also 

Baldwin v. Reese, 541 U.S. 27, 29, 124 S.Ct. 1347, 1349, 158 L.Ed.2d 64 (2004) (in order 

to “fairly present” one’s claims, the prisoner must do so “in each appropriate state 

court”). Accordingly, Petitioner’s claim is procedurally defaulted. Coleman v. 

Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 735 n. 1, 111 S.Ct. 2546, 2557 n. 1, 115 L.Ed.2d 640 (1991) 

(“petitioner failed to exhaust state remedies and the court to which the petitioner would 

be required to present his claims in order to meet the exhaustion requirement would now 

find the claims procedurally barred”). Where a habeas petitioner’s claims have been 

procedurally defaulted, the federal courts are prohibited from subsequent review unless 

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the petitioner can show cause and actual prejudice as a result. Teague v. Lane, 489 U.S. 

288, 298, 109 S.Ct. 1060, 1068, 103 L.Ed.2d 334 (1989) (holding that failure to raise 

claims in state appellate proceeding barred federal habeas review unless petitioner 

demonstrated cause and prejudice). Petitioner has not met his burden to show either 

cause or actual prejudice. Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 494, 106 S.Ct. 2639, 2648, 

91 L.Ed.2d 397 (1986) (Petitioner “must show not merely that the errors . . . created a 

possibility of prejudice, but that they worked to his actual and substantial disadvantage, 

infecting his entire trial with error of constitutional dimensions”) (emphasis in original) 

(internal quotations omitted); see also Martinez-Villareal v. Lewis, 80 F.3d 1301, 1305 

(9th Cir. 1996) (petitioner failed to offer any cause “for procedurally defaulting his 

claims[,] . . . [and as such,] there is no basis on which to address the merits of his 

claims”); Discussion Section IV.2.A., supra (Petitioner cannot meet his burden regarding 

actual innocence to excuse procedural default). Therefore, Petitioner’s Due Process 

claim alleging defense counsel “switched” sides cannot stand. 

 

V. MOTION TO VACATE 

In light of the foregoing, Petitioner’s Motion to Vacate Conviction (Doc. 19) is 

DENIED. 

VI. MOTION FOR STATUS UPDATE 

 To the extent Petitioner requests a copy of the docket sheet, Petitioner’s motion 

(Doc. 22) will be granted. It will be denied as to any other request for relief. 

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VII. CONCLUSION 

 For the reasons delineated above, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 

 1) Petitioner’s pro se Petition Under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 for a Writ of Habeas 

Corpus by a Person in State Custody (Non-Death Penalty) (Doc. 1) is DENIED; 

 2) A certificate of appealability is DENIED, because reasonable jurists would not 

find the Court’s ruling debatable. See 28 U.S.C. § 2253; 

 3) Petitioner’s Motion to Vacate Conviction (Doc. 19) is DENIED; 

 4) Petitioner’s Request for Copy of Docket and Status of Case (Doc. 22) is 

GRANTED in part and DENIED in part; 

 5) The Clerk of the Court shall send a copy of the docket sheet in this case to 

Petitioner; 

 6) This matter is DISMISSED with prejudice; and 

 7) The Clerk of the Court shall enter judgment and close its file in this matter. 

 Dated this 25th day of August, 2016. 

Honorable Bruce G. Macdonald 

United States Magistrate Judge 

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