Opinion ID: 2627471
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: adequacy of counsel in capital cases

Text: ¶17 While we accept the trial court's conclusion that the attorney conduct at issue in this case did not rise to the level demanding a rule 11 sanction, we also agree with the trial court that much of what took place in regard to Archuleta's second amended petition was unwarranted and unjustifiable under our rules and applicable law. The circumstances giving rise to this pattern of behavior in capital cases include low levels of public funding for capital cases, increasing delays in final resolution of these cases, significantly diminishing numbers of qualified counsel able and willing to represent capital defendants, and changing legal and public attitudes to death penalty matters. ¶18 In recent years we have become especially concerned with the diminishing pool of competent counsel in capital cases. There is no acceptable justification for this trend. Competent defense and appellate counsel are guaranteed by our constitution. We cannot allow a defendant's life to be taken by the government without an adequate review of the conviction. Our judicial oath to support, protect, and defend the Constitution must, of necessity, include the requirement that we take measures within our authority and responsibility to see that the mandates of the Constitution are observed. ¶19 It is the duty of the legislative branch to provide for adequate defense of capital defendants, including sufficient resources to attract, train, compensate, and support legal counsel. It is left to the legislative branch to determine how best to accomplish this goal. However, it falls to us, as the court of last resort in this state, to assure that no person is deprived of life, liberty, or property, without the due-and competentprocess of law. Without a sufficient defense, a sentence of death cannot be constitutionally imposed. This basic concept is bedrock upon which our constitutional government stands. ¶20 If, in the future, we find that the unavailability of competent and willing counsel impedes prompt, constitutionally sound resolution in capital cases, we may be forced to hold that the lack of such counsel is sufficient grounds for outright reversal of a capital sentence and remand for the imposition of a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, for which the required degree of sophistication and skill reposed in counsel is slightly less. ¶21 Affirmed. ¶22 Chief Justice Durham, Justice Durrant, Justice Parrish, and Judge Maughan concur in Justice Wilkins' opinion. ¶23 Having disqualified himself, Justice Nehring does not participate herein; District Judge Paul G. Maughan sat.