Opinion ID: 1611878
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Deficient Performance Component.

Text: To establish the first prong, the applicant must demonstrate the attorney performed below the standard demanded of a reasonably competent attorney. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688, 104 S.Ct. at 2064-65, 80 L.Ed.2d at 693-94; Artzer, 609 N.W.2d at 531; State v. Lockheart, 410 N.W.2d 688, 695 (Iowa Ct.App.1987). Thus, we measure the attorney's performance against prevailing professional norms. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688, 104 S.Ct. at 2065, 80 L.Ed.2d at 694; Risdal, 404 N.W.2d at 132. As such, we begin with the presumption that the attorney performed competently. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. at 2065, 80 L.Ed.2d at 694-95; Oetken, 613 N.W.2d at 683; State v. Westeen, 591 N.W.2d 203, 210 (Iowa 1999); Risdal, 404 N.W.2d at 131. Moreover, we avoid second-guessing and hindsight. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. at 2065, 80 L.Ed.2d at 694; Caldwell, 494 N.W.2d at 215; Burgess v. State, 585 N.W.2d 846, 847 (Iowa Ct.App.1998). Instead, we scrutinize each claim in light of the totality of the circumstances. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688, 104 S.Ct. at 2064-65, 80 L.Ed.2d at 693-94; Artzer, 609 N.W.2d at 531; Lockheart, 410 N.W.2d at 695. In the end, the inquiry is transformed into an individualized fact-based analysis. Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 391, 120 S.Ct. 1495, 1512, 146 L.Ed.2d 389, 416 (2000). Claims of ineffective assistance of counsel can arise from most any stage in the criminal proceedings, and can involve most any action or inaction of counsel. 3 Wayne R. LaFave et al., Criminal Procedure § 11.10(c), at 714 (2d ed.1999) (citing J. Burkhoff & H. Hudson, Ineffective Assistance of Counsel §§ 6.02, 8.01 (1998)) [hereinafter LaFave]. Thus, claims can center, as in this case, on both the failure to investigate and advising a defendant against exercising the right to testify. Considering the standard of reasonableness utilized in determining ineffective assistance claims, ineffective assistance is more likely to be established when the alleged actions or inactions of counsel are attributed to a lack of diligence as opposed to the exercise of judgment. Id. Clearly, there is a greater tendency for courts to find ineffective assistance when there has been an abdicationnot an exerciseof ... professional [responsibility]. McQueen v. Swenson, 498 F.2d 207, 216 (8th Cir.1974). Miscalculated trial strategies and mere mistakes in judgment normally do not rise to the level of ineffective assistance of counsel. Wissing, 528 N.W.2d at 564; Caldwell, 494 N.W.2d at 214. Thus, claims of ineffective assistance involving tactical or strategic decisions of counsel must be examined in light of all the circumstances to ascertain whether the actions were a product of tactics or inattention to the responsibilities of an attorney guaranteed a defendant under the Sixth Amendment. 3 LaFave § 11.10(c), at 716. On the other hand, a decision by counsel based upon tactical judgment does not completely immunize the decision from an ineffective assistance challenge. Id. at 717. While strategic decisions made after thorough investigation of law and facts relevant to plausible options are virtually unchallengeable, strategic decisions made after a less than complete investigation must be based on reasonable professional judgments which support the particular level of investigation conducted. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690-91, 104 S.Ct. at 2066, 80 L.Ed.2d at 695. The accompanying investigation must be reasonable under the circumstances. See id. at 691, 104 S.Ct. at 2066, 80 L.Ed.2d at 695. Moreover, there can be a point when the tactical or strategic decisions made by counsel from a host of competing options fall outside the broad scope of a reasonably competent attorney.