Opinion ID: 1456526
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: There is insufficient evidence for us to consider Warman's ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim

Text: In a pro se addendum, Warman asserts that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. As a general rule, a defendant may not raise ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claims for the first time on direct appeal, since there has not been an opportunity to develop and include in the record evidence bearing on the merits of the allegations. Martinez, 430 F.3d at 338. We have routinely concluded that such claims are best brought by a defendant in a post-conviction proceeding under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 so that the parties can develop an adequate record on this issues. United States v. Aguwa, 123 F.3d 418, 423 (6th Cir.1997). We cannot assess the merits of Warman's claim on the record before us. Accordingly, we dismiss the claim to allow Warman to raise it in a post-conviction proceeding under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, should he choose to do so.