Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-3_05-cv-03141/USCOURTS-azd-3_05-cv-03141-0/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Martin Ochoa-Gutierrez, 

Petitioner, 

vs.

Dorothy Vigil, et al., 

Respondents. 

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No. CV 05-3141-PCT-MHM (ECV)

ORDER

On October 7, 2005, Petitioner filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. #1).

In the Screening Order (Doc. #5) filed on October 24, 2005, the District Court Judge directed

Respondents to answer the petition and allowed them to limit their answer to relevant

affirmative defenses. On January 18, 2006, Respondents filed an Answer (Doc. #13) and

raised the affirmative defense of waiver. Respondents argue that by pleading guilty to the

underlying criminal charges, Petitioner waived his right to allege ineffective assistance of

counsel at the sentencing stage. Respondents did not address the merits of Petitioner's

claims.

On February 15, 2006, Petitioner filed a Reply to Answer (Doc. #14) in which he

challenges Respondents' waiver argument. Petitioner argues that the plea agreement waiver

does not affect post-plea constitutional rights such as effective assistance of counsel at

sentencing. In light of Petitioner's argument, Respondents will be permitted, if they choose,

to submit a supplemental answer addressing the merits of Petitioner's claims. Because the

Case 3:05-cv-03141-MHM Document 15 Filed 03/03/06 Page 1 of 2
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District Court Judge authorized Respondents to file a limited answer, this court finds that

permitting a supplemental answer on the merits is appropriate. If a supplemental answer is

filed, Petitioner will have the opportunity to file a reply.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:

That Respondents may file a supplemental answer addressing the merits of Petitioner's

habeas petition on or before Monday, April 3, 2006; and

That Petitioner may file a reply to the supplemental answer on or before Tuesday,

April 18, 2006. 

DATED this 3rd day of March, 2006.

Case 3:05-cv-03141-MHM Document 15 Filed 03/03/06 Page 2 of 2