Opinion ID: 2627471
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: re-raising resolved claims in capital cases

Text: ¶13 At the heart of the State's concern is the widespread practice of repeatedly raising previously decided issues in subsequent challenges to a capital conviction. Counsel for the defense lawyers argued, however, that failure to re-raise claims is unacceptable practice for capital defense counsel, given the ABA guidelines and the nature of state and federal capital case review. ¶14 Here, Archuleta's second amended petition for postconviction relief contained approximately 120 claims of error in prior proceedings, some of which had been expressly rejected by this court on direct appeal. The State argues that re-raising these claims violated rule 11, while the defense lawyers argue that it was necessary to re-raise these claims for preservation purposes. ¶15 We acknowledge the difficult situation in which counsel on both sides of this question find themselves. We also recognize that capital case review has become increasingly complex due to the interaction of state and federal statutory efforts to simplify and streamline the process, not to mention the impact of decisions of the United States Supreme Court and of our own courts interpreting the constitutional minimums applicable to review in cases for which the life of the defendant hangs in the balance. Death penalty cases truly are different from other criminal cases handled by our courts. They demand greater skill and more resources than any other criminal matter. As a consequence, we cannot say with any real degree of certainty that defense counsel's claim that re-raising decided issues is pointless. We can say with complete certainty, however, that doing so in a nondiscriminatory manner, without the requisite competence, candor, and thoroughness, will lead to sanctions in the future. ¶16 If counsel feel compelled to re-raise resolved or arguably resolved claims solely for purposes of preservation, they may do so, so long as those claims are properly identified as such. Resolved claims must be grouped and labeled in such a manner that they are evident as such to the trial court and to opposing counsel, with the clear indication that they are raised solely for the purpose of preservation. Further, previously raised claims must still allege an existing change in the law, a nonfrivolous argument for a change in the existing law, or some other equally reasonable justification. See Utah R. Civ. P. 11(b)(1)-(4). Counsel's belief that there is an obligation to repeatedly re-raise resolved claims does not diminish the obligation to do so competently.