Document: 372 U.S. 477 83 S.Ct. 768 9 L.Ed.2d 892 Ward LANE, Warden, Petitioner,v.George Robert BROWN. No. 283. Argued Jan. 16 and 17, 1963. Decided March 18, William D. Ruckelshaus, Indianapolis, Ind., for petitioner, pro hac vice, by special leave of Court. Nathan Levy, South Bend, respondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion 1 The respondent, George Brown, is in an Indiana prison under sentence death. He indigent. In a federal habeas corpus proceeding District Court held that has deprived Brown right secured Fourteenth Amendment refusing him appellate review denial writ error coram nobis solely because his poverty. 196 F.Supp. 484. Appeals affirmed. 302 F.2d 537. We agree procedure at issue this case falls short requirements United States Constitution. 2 administration its criminal law, seems to have long pursued conspicuously enlightened policy quest equal justice destitute, it not without irony constitutional problem stems from legislation evidently enacted enlarge State's existing system aid For more than hundred years Constitution guaranteed assistance counsel every defendant trial.1 This been extended include indigent consult with lawyer prior arraignment,2 as well be represented on appeal conviction.3 It also established century poor person appealing conviction may secure transcript trial record cost.4 1945 Legislature so-called Public Defender Act, law deal providing legal prisoners postconviction proceedings. operation provisions interpreted Supreme Indiana, which we find constitutionally deficient present case. 3 created office Defender, appointed State Court,5 and, later amended, authorized employ 'such deputies, stenographers or other clerical help required discharge duties * *.'6 are root before us those define Defender's basic authorize order hearing transcripts, their equivalent, public expense: 4 'It shall duty defender represent any penal institution state who sufficient property funds own counsel, matter such assert he unlawfully illegally imprisoned, after time expired.'7 5 'The behalf prisoner represents court proceeding, including evidence presented, had against prisoner, depositions, if necessary, expense state, but authority stipulate facts contained court, substance testimony presented heard involving same being fully transcribed.'8 6 rules expressly permit nobis, require filed confer jurisdiction upon hear appeal.9 above-quoted only can procure indigent; cannot himself se, nor appointment another get prosecute appeal. ex rel. Casey v. Murray, 231 Ind. 74, 106 N.E.2d 911; Jackson Reeves, 238 708, 153 604; Willoughby State, 177 465. upshot can, will entirely cut off all. 7 impact illustrated history was convicted murder sentenced affirmed appeal, 239 184, 154 720, denied petition certiorari. 361 936, 80 375, 360. Thereafter, Federal application dismissed failure exhaust available remedies. then court. After relief. requested perfecting request refused stated belief would unsuccessful.10 next applied perfect denied. grant petitioner's stating: 8 'Under circumstances no proceedings absence said office, provide certified copy expense.' 241 298, 302, 171 825, 827. again sought certiorari Court, denied, 'without prejudice appropriate *.' 366 954, 81 1906, 1246. 10 finally instituted now review. His alleged, addition four substantive grounds relief,11 'That Relator protection effectively Order Lake County, Criminal denying poverty inability transcript, all defendants afford transcript.' directing attention last issue, 'that actions petitioner laws,' ordered 'be given full, Coram Nobis denial' within 90 days additional might thereafter determine. F.Supp., 488. Upon review, Brown's custody, granted stay pending Court's judgment, directing, however, continue custody final disposition 540. 11 Both were controlled recent decisions invalid procedures found substantially deny benefits complete agreement. 12 Griffin Illinois, 351 12, 76 585, 100 L.Ed. 891, made transcripts could them 'means affording adequate effective defendants.' Id., 20, 591. 'Destitute defendants,' held, 'must afforded money enough buy transcripts.' 19, Burns Ohio, 360 252, 79 1164, 1209, $20 fee filing motion felony reaffirmed doctrine, saying 'once chooses establish cases, foreclose indigents access phase principle less applicable where first foreclosed second indigency.' 257, 1168. Smith Bennett, 365 895, 39, clear these principles limited direct appeals convictions, alike 'Respecting test detention,' said, 'the weighs interests rich criminals scale, hand extends far each.' 714, 898. Eskridge Washington Prison Board, 357 214, 78 1061, 1269, provision Washington's conferred judge power withhold finding 'justice promoted accorded fair impartial trial, grave prejudicial errors occurred therein.' 215, 1062. There '(t)he conclusion there reversible substitute full 216, 13 clearly area staked out Griffin, Burns, Smith, Eskridge. To sure, does involve, did conviction, makes applies collateral proceedings, leaves doubt even though already provided one merits. 14 permitted prevent taking confers officer outside judicial take hope Such procedure, based indigency alone, meet standards.12 historic concern practical difficulty correcting deficiency exposes. 15 judgments vacated remanded latter, so orders entered ordering unless reasonable provides merits nobis. ordered. 17 Separate HARLAN, CLARK concurs. 18 I think due process unreviewable discretion whom, whose trial. ignores human equation recognize possibility circumstanced decide questions previous connection consider worthy (I do course remotely intimate situation here.) 19 Were decision subject instance should voted sustain conviction. However, Attorney General candidly informed unclear score. 20 Accordingly, while agreeing action remanding case, instruct fails, time, accord Ind.Const. Art. 1, § (1851). 1854 said: thought of, civilized community, moment, citizen put jeopardy life liberty debarred too aid. No respected, respect itself, sit trial.' Webb Baird, 13, 18. (Quoted dissenting Betts Brady, 316 455, 476—477, 62 1252, 1263, 86 1595.) Batchelor 189 69, 125 N.E. 773 (1920). White Hilgemann, 218 572, 34 129 (1941); Grecco Allen Circuit 571, 575, 914, 916 (1958). But see Macon Orange 243 429, 185 619. Falkenburgh Jones, 296 (1854); Morris Wallace, 41 445 (1872). Since 1893, statute. Burns' Ind.Ann.Stat.1946, 4—3511. 'There hereby Defender. serve pleasure term (4) years. resident practicing least three (3) give tests deem proper determine fitness applicant appointment.' Acts 1945, c. 38, Ind.Ann.Stat.1956, 13—1401. paid annual salary fixed supreme state. may, consent appoint compensation place located designated actual necessary traveling expenses, cost food lodging when away municipality business defender, furniture, fixtures equipment, books, stationery, printing services, postage supplies.' 4, 13—1404. 2, 13—1402. 5, 13—1405. 'Rule 2—40 1958 Edition, provides, relevant part: "An taken judgment granting sufficiency pleadings entitle vacation considered assignment contrary law. much raised appellant's propositions clerk ninety (90) date decision. govern form briefs." McCrary 518, 533—534, 173 300, 307. 2—6 "There attached front immediately following index, specific relied appellant each specification separately numbered." 533, N.E.2d, 'After careful your June Writ Error advise am unable merit assign appeal; therefore, informing you my Petition Nobis.' '(1) Inadequate representation court-appointed '(2) Procurement authorities confession through fear produced threats prolonged questioning during illegal detention. '(3) Admission proof delicti. '(4) into exhibits commitment mental crimes rape attempted alleged committed petitioner.' here preliminary screening appeals. Nor need what procedural measures reduce indigents' See U.S., S.Ct.,

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