Opinion ID: 1399765
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Effect of Finding of Incompetence

Text: Finally, we must determine how a finding of incompetence will affect the post-conviction proceedings. [10] Under the procedure adopted by the trial court in this case, purely legal claims and factual claims that do not require the petitioner's input would proceed. Factual claims that require the petitioner's input would be held in abeyance pending the petitioner's return to competency, at which time such claims could be raised in a motion to reopen. This type of bifurcated approach has been adopted in several states. See, e.g., Carter v. Florida, 706 So.2d 873 (Fla. 1997); Council v. Catoe, 359 S.C. 120, 597 S.E.2d 782 (2004); State v. Debra A.E., 188 Wis.2d 111, 523 N.W.2d 727 (1994). Neither the State nor Reid supports this approach. Reid correctly points out that the procedure adopted by the trial court in this case, which stays some claims and proceeds with others, would create a great deal of uncertainty and overly complicate an already labyrinthine process, especially in light of the statute of limitations under the federal habeas statute. Moreover, incompetency is not one of the limited grounds for reopening a post-conviction proceeding. See Tenn.Code Ann. § 40-30-117. We do not agree with Reid, however, that a stay should apply to all claims. [11] Given that the purpose of post-conviction proceedings is to obtain relief from an unconstitutional conviction or sentence, a stay of the proceedings could be harmful to a petitioner by causing him or her to suffer from the delay of meritorious claims. At the same time, permitting collateral review to proceed despite a petitioner's incompetence advances the interest of the State in the expeditious administration of the criminal justice system. See Burford, 845 S.W.2d at 207 (noting that preventing the litigation of stale and groundless claims is the governmental interest represented by post-conviction statute of limitations). Both the petitioner and the State have an interest in resolving claims while witnesses are available and their memories of the events are fresh. See id. A stay of the proceedings advances neither the interest of the State nor, to the extent the claims presented are valid, the interest of the petitioner. We agree, therefore, with the State that a finding of incompetence requires neither a partial nor complete stay of the proceedings. Instead, the trial court should appoint, if necessary, a next friend or guardian ad litem to pursue the action on behalf of the petitioner. Such a procedure is consistent with our recent decision in Holton allowing a next friend to initiate a post-conviction action on behalf of an incompetent petitioner. We noted that in applying federal habeas corpus procedures, the United States Supreme Court has recognized that a next friend may `appear in court on behalf of detained prisoners who are unable, usually because of incompetence or inaccessibility, to seek relief themselves.' Holton, ___ S.W.3d at ___, 2006 WL 1726656 (quoting Whitmore v. Arkansas, 495 U.S. 149, 162, 110 S.Ct. 1717, 109 L.Ed.2d 135 (1990)). As explained in Whitmore, a next friend does not become a party to the habeas corpus action in which he participates, but simply pursues the cause on behalf of the detained person, who remains the real party in interest. 495 U.S. at 163, 110 S.Ct. 1717. In that sense, a next friend resembles a guardian ad litem who prosecutes or defends a case from start to finish on behalf of another. Morgan v. Potter, 157 U.S. 195, 198, 15 S.Ct. 590, 39 L.Ed. 670 (1895). The next friend may challenge a criminal judgment on behalf of another if it is shown that the real party in interest is unable to litigate his own cause due to mental incapacity, lack of access to court, or other similar disability. Whitmore, 495 U.S. at 165, 110 S.Ct. 1717 (emphasis added). Thus, while mental incompetence may be a basis for allowing a next friend to initiate a post-conviction action, it does not require cessation of the proceedings.